Social Innovation Challenge

The Innovation Hub’s Social Innovation Challenge is an ideation competition where students or student groups compete to solve real-world problems. The goal of this program is to foster real-life, innovative solutions to specific challenges facing our communities. During the challenge, students or student groups will work as a team to develop an innovative approach, product, service, or program and present their ideas to be judged by a panel of innovative and entrepreneurial experts. The submission is an executive summary document that outlines the problem, solution, and implementation procedures you or your team are addressing (see competition guidelines for submission structure). The Innovation Hub’s Social Innovation Challenge will award a winning student group and runners up with cash prizes. 

Fall 2026 Challenge

Preserving Our Humanity in the Face of Rapid Technological Change

The Fall 2026 Social Innovation Challenge invites students to design bold, creative solutions that speak to the negative consequences of technological change on human flourishing. Recent research has raised red flags about the potential of new technologies to alter and/or disrupt central aspects of our humanity – for example, our cognition, well-being, mental health, development, connection and relationships, livelihoods, and even human agency.

This year’s focus is on addressing such consequences through innovative and practical approaches that empower communities and promote long-term change. Participants will be challenged to deeply understand problematic aspects of technological change, center community voices, and propose solutions that are inclusive, scalable, and sustainable. Submissions will be evaluated on innovation, feasibility, and impact, with the goal of meaningfully supporting human flourishing in the face of rapid technological changes. 

Students looking for inspiration can use these reccommended links to start their projects!

Fall 2026 Timeline

• Kickoff event will be held: Wednesday, September 16, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
• Submissions are due: Wednesday, November 4, 11:59pm (midnight)
• Finalists will be announced: Thursday, November 12
• The presentation event/competition will be held at the Innovation Hub on Wednesday, November 18, 4:00pm - 5:30pm 

Learn more about our past challenge winners.

Please review the Competition Guide.