SOLV[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge

Challenge Overview

Young people hold the empathy, power, and ingenuity to solve problems, in their communities, the world, and everywhere in between. Solv[ED] is designed to spark a sense of agency in young people aged 24 and under, encouraging, inspiring, and supporting them to become problem-solvers in their communities and the world.

Millions of children are still out of school. The negative impacts of climate change continue to accelerate and shock our natural, social, and economic systems. Economic inequality is growing within and between countries. A global pandemic is exacerbating and exposing massive health and social inequities. We need everyone to roll up their sleeves and take part in addressing these challenges, even (and especially) when we feel overwhelmed. Each one of us has a role to play. And it’s never too early to get started.

Are you age 24 and under? Whoever you are, wherever you are in the world, we want to hear from you about your solution!

The Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge is an opportunity for you to submit your tech-based solution that:

• Improves learning opportunities and outcomes for learners across their lifetimes, from early childhood on
• Supports financial and economic opportunities for all
• Accelerates healthcare access and health outcomes, reducing and, ultimately, eliminating disparities in health
• Takes action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Addresses an unmet social, environmental, or economic need not covered in the four topics above.

For more information on ‘what counts as technology?’ or ideas on topics that are eligible, see our FAQs page.

Whether your solution is a concept, a product that is being prototyped, a service that is being piloted in your local community, or a fully operational nonprofit or for-profit organization, we want to hear from you.

Prizes

The 10 most promising solutions will be selected by our judges as Solv[ED] Innovators. Over $200,000 is available in prize funding to share among selected Solv[ED] Innovators. In addition to prize funding, selected Solv[ED] Innovators will receive mentorship and coaching from members of the MIT and MIT Solve community.

See our webpage and FAQs for more information on workshops, resources, and funding that may be available to you as you work on developing your solution and application. You can also contact help@solve.mit.edu.

All applicants are invited to sign up for Application Clinics. These are opportunities for you to get tips from MIT Solve’s team and ask your questions.