Terms

Terms & Conditions

Effective July 15, 2026

1. Sponsor

Exponential Scholars (Exponential Foundation, Inc.), 2626 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 550, Raleigh, NC 27608. No purchase or fee to enter.

2. Eligibility

NC students rising grades 5–12 and NC educators (self-identified). Individual entries only; no teams. Employees of Exponential Scholars and their immediate family are ineligible. Family members of judges may enter; a judge is never assigned a submission from a family member or anyone they personally know (recusal enforced in assignment).

3. How to enter

Submit a 1–2 minute video at ideachallengenc.org between July 15 and October 4, 2026. Optional supplemental materials may be included but are not required and do not affect the guarantee of review. Entries by minors require parental consent, confirmed by a parent or guardian before judging.

4. Judging

Each entry is reviewed by 2 judges on community impact, authenticity, and feasibility. Decisions within 10 days and final. All applicants receive written feedback.

5. Awards

$1,000 per winning entry; up to $10,000 additional for demonstrated progress. Winners age 18 and older at the time of prize issuance will receive the prize directly via check. Prizes awarded to winners under age 18 will be issued by check payable to the winner’s parent or legal guardian. By accepting the prize, the parent or legal guardian agrees to hold and manage the funds for the benefit of the winner.

Prizes are non-transferable and may not be assigned or exchanged for any cash equivalent or substitute. If a winner (or, for minors, their parent or legal guardian) does not respond to notification or complete the required acceptance form within 60 days of first notification, the prize may be forfeited.

6. Taxes

All prizes are taxable income to the winner under federal and state law, regardless of the winner’s age and regardless of whether Exponential Foundation (host of the NC Idea Challenge) is required to issue an IRS Form 1099.

For prizes of $2,000 or more in a calendar year, Exponential Foundation will request a completed Form W-9 (in the winner’s name and Social Security number, signed by a parent or legal guardian if the winner is a minor) as a condition of payment and will issue a Form 1099-MISC in January of the following year. For prizes below $2,000, no Form 1099 will be issued, but the prize remains taxable and must be reported by the winner (or, where applicable, on the parent’s return under the “kiddie tax” rules). Winners and their families are solely responsible for any tax consequences and are encouraged to consult a qualified tax advisor. The Foundation does not provide tax advice.

7. Content license

By entering, you grant Exponential Scholars a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and share your submission (including video excerpts and your idea description) for promotional and educational purposes, with a clear opt-out available at entry and at any time after — opting out never affects judging or awards. You keep ownership of your idea. We make no ongoing marketing commitments.

8. Original work

Your idea and video must be your own. Coaching and encouragement are fine; the thinking must be yours.

9. Privacy

You agree to the data collection, use, disclosure, and retention described in our Privacy Policy.

10. General

We may disqualify entries violating these terms; the Challenge may be modified or canceled if fraud or technical failure undermines it; North Carolina law governs.

The Challenge and site are provided “as is” — the Sponsor makes no warranties, express or implied, and participants assume all risk arising from their participation to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of these terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect. These terms, together with the Privacy Policy, are the entire agreement between you and the Sponsor regarding the Challenge.

Questions: hello@ideachallengenc.org