NSF Community College Innovation Challenge

The Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). It is a prestigious, two-phase competition where community college student teams, working with a supportive faculty or administrator mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; earn full travel support to attend an Innovation Boot Camp in the Washington, DC, metro area; and compete for cash awards.

The Innovation Boot Camp provides professional development, mentoring, and coaching designed to build strategic communication and entrepreneurial skills to help students advance their innovations in both the private and public sectors. Students participate in sessions on commercializing ideas, using technology for social applications, communicating with stakeholders, refining a pitch, and more. The CCIC includes a poster session and reception on Capitol Hill and a formal presentation at the Boot Camp in front of a panel of esteemed industry professionals to determine the first and second place winning teams.

Who?
Teams of 2 to 4 community college students with an interest in STEM innovation, entrepreneurialism, and in making a difference; a faculty or administrator team mentor.

Submit from January 16 to March 31, 2020, by 11:59 p.m. (ET). Required Innovation Boot Camp for student finalists and team mentors in Alexandria, VA, June 15-18, 2020.

To foster the development of crucial innovation, communication, and entrepreneurial skills to initiate real-world change; receive travel to the Washington, DC, metro area for an innovation Boot Camp; network with national student teams, STEM leaders, and members of Congress; and compete for cash awards for your STEM innovation.

Contact the CCIC team at CCIC@aacc.nche.edu·

When?
Submit from January 16 to March 31, 2020, by 11:59 p.m. (ET). Required Innovation Boot Camp for student finalists and team mentors in Alexandria, VA, June 15-18, 2020.

Why?
To foster the development of crucial innovation, communication, and entrepreneurial skills to initiate real-world change; receive travel to the Washington, DC, metro area for an innovation Boot Camp; network with national student teams, STEM leaders, and members of Congress; and compete for cash awards for your STEM innovation.

Follow the Challenge: #CCIChallenge2020