The 2020 ASCE Innovation Contest entry deadline has been extended to account for disruptions wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The contest will now be accepting entries through July 15.
Developed as part of the ASCE Grand Challenge as a springboard for forward-looking infrastructure ideas, and in its fifth year, the Innovation Contest is open to anyone with a high school diploma (academics, industry professionals, undergrads, grad students, consultants, entrepreneurs and others).
This year’s contest welcomes entries in six categories:
• Sustainable and resilient engineering
• Next-generation transportation
• Improvements in clean water
• New construction materials and methodology
• General civil infrastructure improvement
• Internet of Things / artificial intelligence
The top finalists will showcase their innovations for an international audience through a virtual competition, with two $5,000 prizes (the ASCE Innovation Contest Award and the ASCE Grand Challenge Award) at stake.
There are several key changes that come with the relaunched version of the contest.
Originally, the 2020 Innovation Contest was to hold its competition finals at the ASCE 2020 Convention in Anaheim, California. The new contest will instead have video and coaching sessions in September for finalists, an interactive video competition in October and an investor pitch activity delivered live during ASCE Convention activities.
Also, this year’s regional student contest, intended for the spring ASCE Student Conferences, has been folded into the overall innovation contest, which now will offer a Student Award.
Also, because this year’s regional student contest (intended for the spring ASCE Student Conferences) was cancelled, the overall innovation contest has brought back the Best Student Submission award – a $1,000 prize – eligible for undergraduate students only.
Learn more about the ASCE Innovation Contest and how you can enter.
