Call for Submissions: Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge

Aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this challenge encourages teens to tackle pressing social, economic, and environmental issues in their communities and beyond:

• Engage students in real-world problem-solving
• Foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking
• Connect with a global network of educators
• Make a meaningful impact on the UN SDGs

Prize Information

• Winning teams and their solutions will be celebrated in the Pactful Community and the media. In addition, winning teams will receive certificates celebrating their success, plus:
  • The winning team of the ‘Best Overall Social Innovation’ will receive an award of $2,000.
  • The winning team of the ‘Most Local Impact Award’ will receive an award of $500.
  • The winning team of the ‘Most Global Impact Award’ will receive an award of $500.
  • The winning team of the ‘Most Creative Innovation Award’ will receive an award of $500.
  • The winning team of the ‘Advances Social Justice and Equity Award’ will receive an award of $500.
• In addition, they are giving out $25 Storyteller Awards to teams who share their project and team progress on social media with the hashtag #JTIC25.
• Additional Awards:
  • They are excited to offer an additional, sponsored prize to this year’s challenge from DRS Daylight Solutions, the Photonics Innovation Award. Student teams who create a solution in the field of photonics are eligible to receive:
    • An award of $500 for a charity of their choice
    • Recognition from DRS Daylight Solutions who will share the news via their marketing channels
    • Certificates of their achievement
    • Mentoring from DRS Daylight Solutions to help take their solution to the next level upon request.
  • Pactful partners, Cloudcast Media have announced their sponsorship of an additional Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge award, the Most Impactful Messaging Award:
    • An award of $500 for a charity of their choice
    • Recognition from Cloudcast Media who will share the news via their marketing channels
    • Certificates of their achievement.

Eligibility Criteria

• The challenge is open to:
  • Educators & Schools: Teachers who want to bring real-world problem-solving into their classrooms.
  • Youth Program Leaders: Organizations and mentors guiding teens in leadership and innovation.
  • Teen Participants (Ages 13-18): Students ready to explore challenges, think creatively, and create impact-driven solutions.

For more information, visit Pactful.