Unveiling the Paradigm Challenge: A Scholarship Opportunity for Young Innovators

The Paradigm Challenge is an annual competition that encourages students aged 4 to 18 to use their creativity and innovation skills to create solutions for real-world problems. The Paradigm Challenge Scholarship invites students between the ages of 4 - 18 to “use kindness, creativity, and collaboration to help solve real-world problems,” states Founder and CEO, Jeff Richardson. It promotes free thinking. There are no directions or restrictions regarding what you can submit. If you could, how would you make the world a better place? That’s what the Paradigm Challenge Scholarship asks children and students, ages 4 - 18. After all, this is the next generation of problem-solvers and changemakers.

Understanding the Paradigm Challenge

The Paradigm Challenge is created and sponsored by Project Paradigm. The Challenge is administered in the United States.

Key Aspects of the Challenge

Focus: Encourages students to address real-world problems with innovative solutions.
Age Groups: The competition focuses on three different age divisions: ages 4-8, 9-13, and 14-18.
Teamwork: You may work in a team or alone in creating an original and creative way to help solve real-life problems in homes, schools, communities, and/or around the world.
Themes: Each annual challenge is based on a specific theme, with past themes including fire safety, waste reduction, and personal health.
Global Participation: One big advantage is you can participate from anywhere in the world - there are no specific citizenship requirements.
Ownership of Ideas: The ownership of the submitted ideas is not transferred to Project Paradigm or any of our partners. The only rights granted to us relate to the ability to use information regarding the ideas and the teams to run and promote The Challenge and other activities of Project Paradigm and our partners.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the Paradigm Challenge, participants must meet certain criteria:

Age: Participants must be aged 4 to 18 as of the date that a timely entry is submitted.
Location: The Paradigm Challenge is open only to individuals aged 4 to 18 (as of the date that a timely entry is submitted), and is not open to residents of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, the Crimea Region, or any other United States sanctioned country.
Team Composition: The competition accepts entries from individuals, as well as from teams of any size. There is no minimum or maximum team size.
Entry Components: Entries should include a brief description of your project, an explanation of how it addresses the chosen theme, and any required supporting materials such as images or video demonstrations. Additionally, you must submit a brief statement of your idea (140 characters or fewer) to qualify for this award.

How to Apply

Applying for the Paradigm Challenge is simple. First, students must register for the challenge online with the help of their parents. To register, visit www.projectparadigm.org (the “Site”) during the Registration Period and follow the registration instructions. Then, they can either decide to work alone or alongside teammates. Teams or individual applicants will watch an official video from the Paradigm Challenge on problem-solving. After learning more about the most pressing issues facing the world, they can research the problems and see what others are doing to help. At this point, applicants will brainstorm ideas and work with others to come up with their own solution to solve one of the above issues. Teams or individual applicants should then submit their best idea to the Paradigm Challenge.

Registration: To register, visit www.projectparadigm.org (the “Site”) during the Registration Period and follow the registration instructions.
Team Building: After you sign up for the Challenge, visit the DASHBOARD page and click the BUILD button. All added teammates will be automatically included on your entry form when you are ready to submit your idea.
Idea Submission: It is up to you to decide how far to develop your idea. We anticipate that some teams will submit just the description of an idea, some will submit a sketch or drawing, some may build a prototype, and others may make a fully working unit. It is entirely up to you. If you make a sketch and your idea is better than a team that produces a prototype of its idea, you are likely to score higher overall.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Applications Open: Applications open a year before the submission deadline. May 1, 2024 Applications Open
Submission Deadline: Interested participants must send their entries latest by May 1. PST on May 1, 2027 to be eligible. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt. Sponsor’s computer will be the official clock for The Challenge. Sponsor reserves the right not to acknowledge or return any Entry. Sponsor is not responsible for, and each team member specifically releases Sponsor and each of its successors and assigns, and each of its trustees, officers, directors, employees, and agents (all of the foregoing, the “Sponsor Parties”), OneEach, and members of The Challenge coalition from any and all claims or liability relating to, any loss or damage to the Entry. May 1, 2025 Submission Deadline
Award Announcement: The awards will be announced at the Paradigm Challenge Ceremony in Los Angeles. The event will be held between September and December, with exact dates yet to be announced. September-December 2025 Award Announcement

Judging Criteria

Judging is based on several factors, including project effectiveness, feasibility, innovation, collaboration, and presentation.

Read also: ABS Impact on College Baseball

Efficacy: how effective is the idea?
Feasibility: how possible is the idea?
Originality: how innovative is the idea?
Presentation: how clear is the idea?
Collaboration: how well did the team members work together with each other and with other persons.

Prizes and Awards

Cash prizes are awarded to the top entries in each age division, with a grand prize of $100,000, as well as numerous additional prizes ranging from $500 to $10,000.

91 finalists will receive a $200 scholarship.
Three teams will be awarded 3rd place, resulting in a $1,000 scholarship for each.
Three teams will be awarded 2nd place, resulting in a $2,000 scholarship for each.
Two teams will be awarded 1st place, resulting in a $10,000 scholarship for each.

Finally, the students who submit the top idea in each age division (4-8, 9-13, and 14-18) will receive a 4-day/3-night trip to Los Angeles. In L.A., these finalists are invited to attend the Paradigm Challenge Awards Ceremony, where the Grand Prize of $100,000 will be awarded. Finalists from each age division will also get to collaborate with one another on their projects and experience both the beach and a day at Disneyland. Additional Prize Information: The total value of all Challenge cash, t-shirt, and trip prizes (assuming four or more qualifying team members for each winning team) is $208,500. The value of the trip to Los Angeles is approximately $2,500 per person. All income taxes and any other applicable taxes on each Challenge prize are the sole responsibility of the recipient. An IRS form 1099 will be issued, if required by law. Challenge prizes consist only of prizes expressly specified herein. Each winner is subject to and shall abide by the income reporting and, if applicable, the payment of any taxes due, per the laws, rules and regulations of the winner’s/winners’ country of residence. Any costs or expenses associated with the acceptance or use of any prize are the responsibility of the recipient. No substitution or transfer of right to receive any Challenge prize will be allowed, except at the sole discretion of Sponsor. Sponsor also reserves the right at its sole discretion to substitute an alternate prize.

Tips for Success in the Paradigm Challenge

Play to your strengths There will be many other challengers, so you can only shine by selecting the challenge that best suits your strengths and where you have a greater understanding that you can use to your advantage.
Brainstorm and find multiple ideas Don’t think about finding the one perfect solution right away. Keep noting the ideas that you or your team can come up with.
Discuss and get feedback Discuss in detail the solution or solutions you have decided upon.

Additional Information and Rules

Multiple Entries: Participants are permitted to be members of more than one team and teams are permitted to submit more than one entry.
Sponsor's Rights: Sponsor reserves the right not to acknowledge or return any Entry.
Entry Compliance: By entering, regardless of country of residence or entry, each Participant and team member represents and warrants that (a) the Participant and team members have the exclusive, unconditional right, and authority to submit the Entry to Sponsor and to grant the rights set forth herein and (b) the Entry complies with these Challenge Rules in full.
Inappropriate Material: Entries must not contain any material that Sponsor, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems inappropriate for public viewing and/or determines is contrary to its mission.
Parental/Guardian Consent: The parent or legal guardian of a Participant under the legal age of majority in his/her jurisdiction of residence: (a) will ensure that Participant will comply with these Rules; and (b) warrants that Participant is capable of agreeing (through him/herself or through his/her parent or legal guardian) to these Rules and giving the consent contained herein.
Finalist Selection: Some Finalists may be selected and announced prior to the Entry Deadline. Sponsor will announce all Finalists on or before June 1, 2027.
Age Division: The age of the oldest team member on the date the entry is submitted determines a team’s division. In other words, to be eligible for an age division, at least one member of the team must be within the specified age range on the date the entry is submitted and any and all other team members must be between age 4 and the top of the entered age division on that date.
Grand Prize Winner: Project Paradigm will select one of the First Place teams as the Grand Prize winner. A team of four or more qualifying members that wins the Grand Prize will share $100,000 instead of the $10,000 First Place Prize.
Cash Prizes For Remaining Finalists: The Finalists who do not win a First Place prize, Second Place prize, Third Place prize, or the Grand Prize will share a cash prize of up to $200 per team.
Finalist T-Shirts: Finalist team members will receive an official Finalist t-shirt.
Identical or Similar Entries: Depending on the number and nature of entries received, Sponsor may or may not recognize the existence of any entries that are identical or similar to other entries. To the extent that Sponsor becomes aware during the judging period that two or more entries are identical or substantially identical, Sponsor may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to do one or more of the following: (a) award a prize to the entry that it determines is better based on a consideration of the five judging criteria; (b) split one or more prizes among two or more team; (c) contact team members and/or third parties to discuss the origin of the idea; and/or (d) take any other steps that Sponsor believes is appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.
Winner Notification: Sponsor may in its discretion announce the name(s) of one or more potential winners on the Site or in other forms of communication, provided that no potential winner shall be certified as a winner until the potential winner and the winner’s parent or legal guardian has executed and returned all required documents.
Required Documents: Each potential winner’s parent or legal guardian will be required to complete a Consent Form and then each potential winner (or his or her parent or legal guardian) will be required to complete and return an Information Form, Affidavit of Eligibility, Confidentiality Agreement, and/or Release of Liability, and, if legally permissible, a Publicity Release within seventy-two hours of attempted delivery of same. Noncompliance within this time period or return of any notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and an alternate winner may be selected.
Background Check: Sponsor reserves the right to conduct a background check on each of the winners.
Prize Conditions: Each winning Participant and his/her parents/guardians are solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary travel documents (valid photo I.D., passport, visa, credit card, etc.). Any costs associated with obtaining the required travel documents are the responsibility of each winning Participant and his or her parents/guardians. Each winner and his/her parent/guardian must travel on the same itinerary. All travel dates are subject to change in Sponsor’s sole discretion. Travel restrictions, conditions and limitations may apply. If a Participant or any team member cannot travel during the travel dates that are selected by the Sponsor, then that Participant or the entire Team shall be deemed to have forfeited the prize.
Travel Restrictions: Prizes may be forfeited if: (a) proper travel documents for any and all travel are unattainable for any reason within the time required by the Sponsor; (b) the Participant/team member did not have the unqualified right, at the time of being selected, to re-enter his/her country of origin after leaving the country; or (c) if any immigration or travel documentation complications arise which prohibit a Participant, team member and/or his/her parent/guardian from entering the United States. Each of the Participants and his/her parent/guardian are solely responsible for determining and complying with all applicable international/domestic travel procedures and restrictions.
Minor Winners: If any winner is a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, and the law of such jurisdiction of residence prevents any prize from being awarded to such winner, the prize will be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian (provided the law of such jurisdiction of residence does not otherwise prevent the prize from so being awarded), who will be responsible for fulfilling all the requirements imposed on winners as set forth herein or under applicable law; however, the winner, and not his/her parent or legal guardian, will participate in the activities outlined herein and in the event the minor is not permitted to receive a prize of travel, the parent or guardian shall not travel, the prize shall be forfeited and no substitute prize shall be awarded to the minor or his/her parents or guardians.
Beyond the Prize Money: Sponsor wants to help the winning ideas have an impact in the world. In addition to the prize money, Sponsor may, in its sole and absolute discretion, provide additional support to facilitate the development and/or implementation of one or more winning ideas.
Grant of Rights: By registering for the Challenge, regardless of the country of his/her residence, each Participant (or if a minor, such Participant’s parent or legal guardian) grants to Sponsor and its designees the irrevocable, royalty-free right to publish, disseminate, and use the person’s name, likeness, and biographical information without further notice or consideration, in perpetuity, throughout the world, in all media and formats now known or hereafter invented, in connection with the execution and promotion of The Challenge and the promotion of Sponsor and its activities.
Disputes: This is Challenge is governed by United States law and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and these Challenge Rules shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. Participants hereby agree that any and all disputes claims, causes of action, or controversies arising out of or in connection with The Challenge or these Challenge Rules shall be resolved in arbitration individually and without resort to collective, class, or aggregate action as set forth in the Terms of Use, which are available on the Site, and such arbitration must be brought and heard in Los Angeles, California.
Indemnity: By registering and/or submitting an entry, each Participant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Sponsor and the Sponsor Parties, OneEach, Challenge judges, and the members of The Challenge coalition from and against the full amount of all claims, liabilities, actions, suits, proceedings, assessments, judgments, decrees, losses, fees, damages, settlement funds, and associated costs and expenses including attorney’s fees arising from or in connection with the registration, participation, and entry in The Challenge, any use of the Entry, and/or the exercise by Sponsor of any rights granted to it herein, including without limitation claims based on rights of privacy, rights of publicity, false light, defamation, copyright, patent and/or trademark infringement relating to the Entry.
No Limitation on Exploitation of Materials: Each Participant acknowledges that the Sponsor engages and has engaged and will in the future engage in the development, preparation, production, acquisition, and dissemination of creative, educational, artistic, and other material (collectively, the “Materials”), including without limitation Materials that are similar or identical to a team member’s Entry. Each Participant also acknowledges that other persons, including employees of Sponsor, may previously have originated and/or submitted to Sponsor or to others, and may hereafter originate and/or submit, Materials that are similar or identical to the Participant’s Entry. Without limitation of the foregoing, Sponsor may use, without any payment or other obligation whatsoever to any Participant, any part of the Materials, and any idea or concept contained therein, that (a) is similar or identical to, or contains significant elements encompassed in, a concept that is under consideration or in development by Sponsor before or at the time of the Participant’s Entry, (b) is not unique, novel, original, and concrete so as to be entitled to protection under applicable laws, (c) has been made public by anyone at the time of its submission to Sponsor or otherwise is in the public domain, (d) would be freely usable by a third person if it had not been accepted as an Entry or the subject of any agreement, (e) is not protected by United States copyright law, or (f) is similar or identical to, or contains significant elements encompassed in, an idea, concept or material that is independently created by Sponsor or any third party. By registering and/or submitting an Entry, each Participant agrees that Sponsor’s development, preparation, production, acquisition, dissemination, and/or exploitation of Materials similar or identical to the Participant’s Entry or containing features, ideas, material and/or elements similar to or identical with those contained in the Participant’s Entry shall not entitle the Participant to any compensation or other right or remedy whatsoever. As an inducement to Sponsor to accept the Participant’s Entry into The Challenge, each Participant hereby waives any claim or right of action against Sponsor Parties or their successors in connection with the Sponsor Parties’ use of any Materials (or any portions thereof) whether or not such Materials are similar or identical to a Participant’s Entry or contain any features, ideas, material, and/or elements that are similar or identical to those contained in a Participant’s Entry.

Read also: NCAA Eligibility and Redshirting

Read also: Exemplary Leadership Guide

tags: #paradigm #challenge #scholarship #details