IDEAS is MIT's 21-year old social innovation and entrepreneurship program for students. Check out this year's finalists and vote for your favorite project!

Challenge Overview

Since 2001, the MIT Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center has housed the IDEAS Social Innovation Challenge, an annual innovation, and social entrepreneurship program. IDEAS supports MIT’s social entrepreneurs and innovators via its tailored programming, advising, and mentorship. Additionally, the program awards up to $21,000 globally. MIT students recruit team members from all over the world and submit projects in such areas as Water & Sanitation, Agriculture, Health & Medical, Emergency & Disaster Relief, and Energy & Environment. Over the past 20 years, the IDEAS Challenge has awarded more than $1,000,000 to over 200 teams that have implemented innovative service projects in 44 countries, serving the needs of tens of thousands of people. These teams have secured over $69 million in follow-on funding for their social projects and ventures. 

The public is invited to explore the twenty finalists’ projects and vote for their favorites for consideration of a $2,500 crowd favorite award! Each finalist is receiving a seed grant of $1,000 to further their efforts and will be considered for an additional juried grant ranging from $7,500 – 20,000 on Sunday, April 24. Teams that are not awarded a juried award will be considered for the crowd favorites awards. Teams have a 16-month implementation window. 

Please vote, share, and join the live stream award ceremony on Sunday, April 24 at 2 PM eastern: bit.ly/mitideas2022awardsLIVE! For questions about the MIT IDEAS Challenge, please email: mitpkgideas@mit.edu

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