For more informations please contact the NOVA Impact office (novaimpact@unl.pt) with the reference: NovaImpactChallenges
27 June 2022
NOVA IMPACT! CHALLENGES (June 27th – July 15th, 2022)
IMPROVING SOCIETY TODAY AND BEYOND
When: 24th June – 15th July 2022
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 3 weeks, together with a team of experts and mentors we will help you accelerate your project and develop a prototype in a virtual mode. In the end you will have a chance to pitch it live (at Nova Rectorate Building) to a jury and win more prizes. Are you going to miss this chance?
Objective
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 2 to 5 members.
The top 10 ideas will be selected by a jury of experts, with a short selection interview, if considered necessary.
During 3 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 tp €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.
Contacts
2022 EDITION
Next edition will be held in June 2022. Learn more below and stay tuned!
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 3 weeks of the program.
Calendar
Deadline for applications: 15th June
Communication of selected ideas: 20th June
Kick-off of the Program (Welcome and Program presentation): 24th June | VIRTUAL
Proof of Concept phase: 27th June – 14th July | VIRTUAL
Demo day and announcement of the winners: 15th July | 5-7.30 pm | FACE-to-FACE (Auditorium B, campus de Campolide)
On the final event day, the 15th July, we will have a moment for networking and celebrating the winning projects. All invited.