OPEN TO ALL COLUMBIANS, WITH ONE SIPA PARTICIPANT
The program, which is part of the Columbia Venture Competition, invites students to design cutting-edge projects and, if appropriate, prototypes that use ICT and/or data analytics to solve global policy problems. In this round, students are encouraged to develop creative solutions around the below core Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG11 – Sustainable cities and communities – make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
- SDG12 – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns – that would open up innovation across many sectors such as water, energy, food, ending hunger, nutrition, extractive industries, transport systems, climate change, etc.
- SDG13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
- SDG16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
These are policy areas we will be particularly interested in, but judges will consider submissions on other topics.
Teams must include at least one SIPA student in a substantive role. The program seeks to support endeavors with high potential to be implemented, to produce a meaningful impact in a relatively short timeframe, and to be sustainable. SIPA provides workshops, advisors, and other support for teams to refine and test their ideas. A total of $50,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winning team or teams in this round. If you have questions or are interested in more information, please email sipa.challenge.grant@sipa.columbia.edu.