World's Challenge Challenge

It starts with one idea, one discussion. Who knows where your ideas may lead?

The World's Challenge Challenge invites student teams to propose an innovative solution to a major global issue. Thanks to the Lee Global Education Awards, the team with the best proposal will win $10,000 to make their solution a reality.

The World's Challenge Challenge is an exciting way to engage in discussions about the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the complex global problems that they seek to overcome. It challenges the university community to be a source of new ideas and inspiration and brings together active global citizens who seek to make a positive and tangible impact on the world.

UAlberta Competition Prizes

• 1st Place: $10,000
• 2nd Place and 3rd Place: Education Abroad Individual Award for each team member to be used towards an international learning experience

Who can participate?

This competition is open to all University of Alberta students: undergraduate and graduate, from any faculty, full and part-time. We encourage your team to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds or areas of study. Teams of two to four members are accepted, ideally from different disciplines.

How does it work?

Each team must submit a statement of interest, briefly outlining the problem and their proposed solution. Teams will receive feedback on their statement of interest and have time to further refine their idea before submitting a more detailed proposal in early December. A maximum of 21 teams will be selected to present their proposals during a semifinals competition in February. From there, a maximum of 9 teams will move on to the final UAlberta competition in March.

Where do I start?

• Research a global problem that you are passionate about.
• Consider: why does this problem exist? What are its root causes? What are others doing about it? Where are the gaps? What can you (and your team) uniquely offer?
• Secure a team of three UAlberta students. Though it is not a requirement, we recommend your team be made up of students from different Faculties/Departments to ensure a diverse knowledge-base.
• Make use of campus and community resources to help define your problem and refine your solution.
• Who, on-campus or in the community, is already studying or working on this problem? Connect with them to learn more about their work.
• Attend WCC workshops! We encourage teams to attend the information session and the workshop put on specifically for WCC participants. The workshop is offered free of charge and will guide your group through a design-thinking process that will ultimately enhance your proposal and presentation. A schedule for the orientation, workshop and other events can be found below.
• Review the scoring rubric to see what participating teams will be judged on
• Draft and submit a statement of interest

What happens if my team is selected?

Timeline & Important Dates

Need more information?

Contact University of Alberta International at wcc@ualberta.ca

Need inspiration?

• 2019/2020 UAlberta Winning Team
• 2018/2019 UAlberta Winning Team
• 2017/2018 UAlberta Winning Team
• 2016/2017 UAlberta Winning Team
• 2019 Winning Teams (Western University)
• 2018 Winning Teams (Western University)

Additional resources

• World's Challenge Challenge @ Western University
• UAlberta Faculty of Science's Student Innovation Centre
• UAlberta eHUB
• Expertise finder (filter your search by the University of Alberta)