In light of the current global situation, we are at an important moment in our history, in that there is an opportunity to explore solutions that bring us closer, support productivity at a distance, and facilitate health and wellness and learning.
Fulbright Canada is launching a Grand Challenge, co-sponsored by Global Affairs Canada and the U.S. Embassy Ottawa, that will support youth across Canada and the United States looking to implement impactful and innovative ideas and solutions that address health and wellness and/or contribute to education and working at a distance.
Three qualifying teams will be identified in eight regions across Canada and the United States. They will have the opportunity to broadcast their ideas in a virtual event in June and July of 2020 and gain an influential network of professionals who will assist them in implementing their idea. They will be competing for three grand prizes of $8,000.00, while gaining an influential network of professionals who will assist them in implementing their idea.
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Competition
Three semi-finalists will be identified from each region. These individuals or teams will receive an invaluable network of mentorship from university faculty, Fulbright Canada alumni, and other organizational partners to assist them in refining and implementing their proposals.
The semi-finalists will then present their ideas over live online broadcasts between June 30 and July 3, 2020. Each region will have its own scheduled broadcast time, with the three semi-finalist individuals or teams presenting on their ideas.
The top presentation from each region will then have the opportunity to expand on their ideas through a public question and answer session with experts during a webinar on July 17th, 2020.
The best proposal will be awarded the Grand Prize [TBA], providing resources to follow through on their proposal. Winners will be asked to provide an update on how they plan to use the Grand Prize and their network of experts toward implementing their ideas.
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Timeline
April 22
Competition open to applications
June 1
Competition closed
June 15
Regional semifinalists announced
June 30 to July 3
Regional presentations live broadcast
July 11
Finalists announced
July 17
Question and answer live broadcast
July 25
The Grand Challenge winner is announced
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ELIGIBILITY
- Canadian and/or U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- Application submitted to a region based on residency:
- Western Canada
- Central Canada
- Québec Canada
- Atlantic Canada
- Northeast United States
- Northwest United States
- Southwest United States
- Southeast United States
- Application submitted no later than June 1, 2020
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APPLICATION
Between April 22 and June 1, 2020, youth are encouraged to submit innovative proposals that provide ideas addressing the Grand Challenge themes. Applicants can submit a proposal either as individuals or as part of a team of up to three members. Applicants submit proposals to the region in which they reside.
The themes of either health and wellness or supporting education and work at a distance should guide applications, but the issues addressed are open to interpretation.
Online applications may be in any medium, or combination of mediums, including written, video, or audio submissions. Applications must address each of the following questions:
- How does your proposal address the theme of either health and wellness or supporting education and work at a distance? What problem is being addressed?
- How does your proposal impact society? Who benefits and how?
- In what ways is this proposal novel? How does it differ from other approaches to the identified problem? Why is this approach preferable?
- How will this proposal be implemented? What time and resources are required for this proposed solution to be realized?