The Maine Ideas Challenge provides students with the opportunity to propose transformative solutions to real-world problems. Innovative solutions can come from any field at any scale – from a new business idea that changes a market to a social innovation that changes lives.
The deadline for applying for the 2021-2022 Maine Ideas Challenge has passed. Thank you for your interest!
The deadline for applying for the 2021-2022 Maine Ideas Challenge has passed. Thank you for your interest!
To enter the Maine Ideas Challenge – you will need:
- A brief summary of your project (1-2 sentences)
- A description of the problem you are addressing
- An overview of competing or similar solutions that exist already
- A description of your proposed innovation
You will need to complete the Maine Ideas Challenge Entry Form by noon on December 17, 2021. If you have any problems with this form, please contact Justine Bassett, the Director of Innovation and P.D. Merrill Makerspace, at jbassett3@une.edu.
The Maine Ideas Challenge is open to any undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at the University of New England.
- November 8: Launch of 2021-22 Maine Ideas Challenge. Applications Open for Phase 1.
- December 17 @ 12pm: Applications Close for Phase 1
- January 28: Phase 1 Winners Announced
- Feb-April: Student teams work on Phase 2
- April: Maine Ideas Challenge Final Event and Award Ceremony
In Phase 1, the Maine Ideas prize money is an award for the idea. It is not a grant with requirements, benchmarks, and deliverables, but a monetary prize for articulating a creative, impactful idea. Individuals or teams are not required to continue with their ideas in Phase 2.
Phase 1 Awards
In Phase 1, we will be awarding up to ten ideas with a $100 cash prize.
Phase 2 Awards
In Phase 2, we will be awarding prizes for the most promising ideas, with awards up to $3,000.
Do you have an idea you’d like to discuss? The P.D. Merrill Makerspace is a resource available to all students to get help, advice, and support on developing your idea. Please visit our website at https://sites.une.edu/unemakerspace .
