Community College Innovation Challenge

Info Sessions

The Community College Innovation Challenge – Student Application Idea Vetting Session & Why You Should Apply
(Webinar hosted in partnership with Phi Theta Kappa)

February 26, 2025
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern

The Community College Innovation Challenge is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF). It is a national competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; receive full travel support to attend an Innovation Boot Camp held in Washington, D.C.; and compete for cash awards of up to $3,000 per team member. Up to 12 finalist teams will be selected to attend the Innovation Boot Camp and receive coaching designed to build strategic communication and entrepreneurial skills. Finalist teams also participate in a Student Poster Session and engagement opportunity with STEM leaders and Congressional stakeholders, and a pitch presentation in front of a panel of industry professionals. Join AACC, NSF, a CCIC judge, and a student finalist team member from the 2024 competition for an idea vetting and discussion session to learn about the CCIC, why you should apply, and how to do so by the April 3 deadline. Come share your project ideas as well as have the opportunity to ask questions about the CCIC application process. 

The Community College Innovation Challenge – Why Your Students Should Apply?
February 6, 2025
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern

The Community College Innovation Challenge is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF). It is a national competition where community college student teams, working with a faculty or administrator mentor, use science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to innovate solutions to real-world problems; receive full travel support to attend an Innovation Boot Camp in Washington, D.C.; and compete for cash awards of up to $3,000 per team member. Up to 12 finalist teams will be selected to attend the Innovation Boot Camp and receive coaching designed to build strategic communication and entrepreneurial skills. Finalist teams also participate in a Student Innovation Session and engagement opportunity with STEM leaders and Congressional stakeholders, and a pitch presentation in front of a panel of industry professionals. Join AACC and team mentors from the 2024 competition to learn about the CCIC, and why you should support a student team from your institution to apply by the April 3 deadline.