A statewide contest for NC · Students grades 5–12 + educators · July 15 – Oct 4, 2026

The Idea Challenge

Got an idea to help your community? You don’t need experience. You don’t need a teacher leading the way. Just an idea. Winning ideas get $1,000 to get started — and you can earn up to $10,000 more for making real progress: actually running the idea in the world.

✓ Two tracks: students grades 5–12 + educators.
✓ Rolling submissions July 15 – October 4, 2026.
✓ Within 10 days to a yes or no.
✓ Quick to get started; we provide the recorder and prompts.
✓ Submit a 1–2 minute video — just you, telling us your idea.

How it works

Think — jot down your idea: the problem, who it helps, why it matters.
Optional help — brainstorm with a friend, or email hello@ideachallengenc.org for a free coaching call.
Submit — record a 1–2 minute video, hit submit. Done.

How we judge

Community impact · Feasibility · genuinely their own idea. Polish doesn’t win. Specificity, sincerity, and lived knowledge of the problem do.

For teachers, counselors & coaches

Share this with kids you know. Run a classroom workshop. Or submit your own idea on the educator track — same prompt, same prize structure. Email us at hello@ideachallengenc.org.