ACCC Innovator Awards Criteria

Innovations should meaningfully improve access, quality, and value in cancer care delivery. Applicants should fully explain how their program achieves these goals, and how it can be replicated in other cancer programs.

Potential focus areas include quality and process improvement efforts; use of AI and BI technology as a workforce multiplier; telehealth, virtual, and shared care models; cancer service line sustainability efforts; care coordination; patient-centered care and supportive services; staffing models; precision medicine in the community; health equity and diversity; financial advocacy and navigation; staff well-being and empowerment programs; patient engagement, education, and shared decision-making; community outreach, prevention, and screening; scalable service line growth initiatives; and digital solutions to improve patient care.

Applications will be considered based on meeting one or more of the following:

1. Is your program innovative, creating positive change for your patients and staff?
2. Is it a new or improved approach to an issue often seen in cancer care delivery?
3. Can this be replicated or adapted to other cancer programs?
4. Does this innovation advance patients’ access to quality cancer care? Does it result in more comprehensive service? Expand services? Provide a new service?
5. Does your innovation eliminate inefficiencies and reduce the cost of care? Does it improve care coordination among multidisciplinary team members?
6. Will it be cost-effective to implement? Will it result in cost savings or generate measurable ROI?
7. Does your program demonstrate value to patients and payers?

Past Innovator Award winner topics include:

• Shaw at Home: An Oncology Specific Home and Community-Based Palliative Care Program
• Adopting Machine Learning-Enabled Decision Support to Improve Oncology End-of-Life Outcomes
• A One-Stop Breast Clinic Improves Time to Diagnosis and Patient Satisfaction
• Implementation of a Bispecific T-Cell Engager Therapy Program at a Community Cancer Center
• A Sustainable Model for Improved Quality for Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance and Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection
• An Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist Role Improves Quality, Efficiency, Wellness, & Administrative Outcomes
• Collaborative Care: A Model for Embedding Counseling in Oncology and Palliative Care

Applicants must be affiliated with ACCC as a Cancer Program Member. Winners will be selected through a peer review process.

Applications for the 2026 ACCC Innovator Awards will open on Monday, December 1.

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