IMPROVING SOCIETY TODAY AND BEYOND
When: June 19th – July 10th, 2024
The NOVA impACT! Challenges competition is a program created by the NOVA Impact office, together with Santander Universities, to give teams the opportunity to take their innovative projects out of paper.
If you have a project that solves a social and/or environmental problem, apply to the program now! During three weeks, together with a team of experts and mentors, we will help you accelerate your project and develop a prototype. In the end, you will have a chance to pitch it live (at NOVA’s Rectotrate) to a jury and win more prizes. Are you going to miss this chance?
Deadline to apply: June 12th
Objectives
Support the development of 10 impactful solutions placing knowledge and innovation at the service of society.
The solutions can be very varied – including apps, websites, physical devices or a business plan – and must be in line with at least one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Eligibility
This initiative is open to all academic community of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in Portugal.
The regulation of the program can be found here.
The program in a nutshell
The program – In a Nutshell
Ideas can be submitted by Teams with two to five members.
The top 10 ideas will be selected by a jury of experts, with a short selection interview, if considered necessary.
During three weeks, selected teams will develop a prototype or a proof of concept, using video, photos, diagrams, apps, 3D printing, etc.. In certain specific cases, the solution can be the business plan.
Each team will be eligible to receive up to 500€ to implement the proof-of-concept and develop the prototypes.
In the beginning of each week, participants will have access to virtual workshops, with a focus on deliverables to be fulfilled throughout that week and will have a virtual meeting with the mentor/facilitator. In addition, other resources will be made available, including access to the NOVA Mentor Network, fablab facilities, among others. Teams can get together in face-to-face mode if they wish to, but can also work remotely.
In the checkpoint meetings (once a week | virtually) each team will have to present the work developed during that week to the organizing committee.
The program will culminate with the Demo Day with the final pitch presentations, face-to-face, of the solutions developed, to a panel of experts.
The winning idea will be announced on the Demo Day and will be eligible for an additional prize up to €2,000.
The future development of the winning ideas will be closely monitored by the NOVA Impact Office.
The regulation of the program can be found here.
Application & Selection Process
Ideas (max. 300 words) must be submitted through the Santander X platform.
The jury members will review and evaluate all ideas submitted.
The 10 best candidate ideas will be selected for the proof-of-concept phase.
Participants must demonstrate their willingness and commitment to develop the proof-of-concept throughout the three weeks of the program.
Resources Made Available In The Proof-Of-Concept Phase
Calendar & Deadlines
Deadline for applications: June 12th, 2024
Communication of selected ideas: June 14th, 2024
Kick-off of the Program (Welcome and Program presentation): June 19th, 2024 | 2:30 – 5:30pm | FACE-to-FACE (Auditorium B, campus de Campolide)
Proof-of-Concept phase: 19th June – 10th July | VIRTUAL
Demo day and announcement of the winners: July 10th, 2024 | 2:30 – 5:30pm | FACE-to-FACE (Auditorium B, campus de Campolide)
On the final event day, we will have a moment for networking and celebrating the winning projects. All invited.
Contacts
For more informations please contact the NOVA Impact office (novaimpact@unl.pt) with the reference: NOVA impACT! Challenges 2024