Call for Shark Tank AFib Ideas

Reviewers/judges will use the following criteria to score idea submissions:

1. Does the submission require a linkage to AF GWTG database? Reliance on data elements that are not included within GWTG-AFIB will impair feasibility.  
2. Feasibility: Is AF GWTG data available and sufficient for analysis, and are objectives attainable? 
3. Overlap: Does this overlap with other approved proposals or existing publications? (Refer to the GWTG online catalog).
4. Significance or novelty: Does the hypothesis and description show scientific originality or an impactful or important topic? Does it address a treatment gap or expand on other publications? 
5. Strength of the description of proposed study/analysis. (High / Medium / Low)
6. Priority level: Does this support GWTG programs? (High priority / Regular priority / Low Priority)
7. General comments
8. Overall Score of 1 to 10, see below for numeric grading scale.

Numeric Grading Scale

Each submission will be given a numerical grade based on the following criteria, and AHA and HRS will average all the reviewer scores to determine the final score/decision.

• 10 Excellent: Investigation based on original concepts and provides important data or new techniques, factual submission. Should be accepted for presentation.
• 9, 8 Good: Similar to the above “Excellent” designation above but less outstanding. 
• 7, 6, 5 Average: Contains information that might benefit colleagues; contains fair data. Low priority for presentation. 
• 4, 3, 2 Questionable: Repetitious investigation which does not add to existing knowledge; poor data. Should not be presented. 
• 1 Rejection: Should not be accepted.

Reviewer/Judge Conflict of Interest

If a reviewer/judge has a conflict of interest with a specific submission (such as sponsorship), the reviewer/judge must note Conflict in the score section of the spreadsheet. The submission will then be sent to another working group member to review.

Before you begin, please note that you must have an HRS account to submit your ideas. If you do not have an HRS account, you must create one (this process is free and takes only a few minutes).

Step 1: Submission Instructions

1. Click on the “Submit Your Idea” button above.
2. On the “Welcome Page” select the “Submission” tab from the navigation menu at the top of the page.
3. On the submission page, select “Create New Submission” in the left-hand navigation pane.
4. Click the radio button for “Shark Tank Submission” and click “Continue.”
5. There is no fee charged for making a Shark Tank submission.

Step 2: Submission Form

Follow the form by filling in the required fields: The total number of characters allowed for the submission is 2,500. This character count does include spaces and does not include the abstract title.

1. Title of Proposal: Character count is not included in the 2,500 for your Shark Tank submission.
2. Study Population: Specify admission diagnosis of interest, including inclusion and exclusion criteria
3. Research Aims/Objectives
4. Hypothesis/Rationale
5. Primary and Secondary Outcomes
6. Description of Proposed Study/Analysis
7. Figure Illustrating Study Concept: Please upload a PDF attachment. If you are submitting more than one file, compile them into a single PDF for upload.
8. Key References

Step 3: Properties

1. In the “Session Type” dropdown, make sure that “Shark Tank Submission” is selected.
2. Click “Save and Continue”

Step 4: Authors

1. Add additional authors/contributors.
2. Additional authors must have an HRS account for them to be added. If your additional authors do not have an HRS account, they will need to create one before they can be added.

Step 5: Attestations

To finalize your abstract submission, you must agree to the following statements: 

1. GWTG-AFIB Case Report Forms: I have reviewed the case report forms (data entry forms) for GWTG-AFIB to ensure that the project is feasible within the existing GWTG-AFIB. Exceptions for highly innovative applications may be entertained, but reliance on data elements that are not included within GWTG-AFIB will impair feasibility. 
2. Existing Publications: I have reviewed existing publications to ensure no overlap with this proposal. See GWTG Online Library of Publications.

Step 6: Review and Submit

1. Carefully proofread your submission and make any necessary revisions before the extended submission deadline of Wedensday, January 14, 2026.
2. It is not possible to correct or change a submission after the submission deadline.