The Environmental Innovation Challenge is an exciting extracurricular competition that gives students the opportunity to come up with meaningful solutions to big problems the world faces today related to the environment. The competition is open to undergrads and grad students at accredited colleges and universities across the Cascadia Corridor – Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia, as well as Alaska.
Top Teams participate in the Environmental Innovation Challenge Final Round on April 2, 2026, where they will pitch their ideas, demo their prototypes, and respond to judge questions.
Why Should Students Participate?
What does it take to bring a new idea to the world? You will find out.
Prototype funding is available for demonstration models.
Receive feedback from top-level professionals from the community.
Work with an interdisciplinary team.
Prepare yourself for an impact career.
Win prizes up to $15,000 or more. Special prizes this year include the Climate Action Prize and the Leo Maddox Innovation in Oceanography Prize.
What is needed to enter the Environmental Innovation Challenge?
OPTIONAL
Prototype Funding Application (Please go here and look under "Prototype Funding" for more information).
Info Sessions (Virtual and In-Person options) (Please go here and look under "Dates & Deadlines" for dates and to register).
ALL ENTRANTS
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Register your team and teammates. Current student teammates' contact information will be used to invite Team Members to complete their Profiles for the application. PLEASE NOTE: TEAM MEMBER PROFILES MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE APPLICATION CAN BE SUBMITTED! We recommend notifying your team members of this requirement and encouraging them to submit their profile well before the deadline.
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5-7 page Business Summary (ENTRY DEADLINE Monday, Feb 9, 2026 @ noon) NOTE: the 5-7 page business summary has 7 sections. View the submission checklist for all sections
TOP TEAMS SELECTED FOR FINAL ROUND
Resource Night for Finalist Teams | Thursday, February 26, 2026 (attendance is mandatory)
Pitch Workshop for Finalist Teams | Thursday, March 12, 2026 (attendance is mandatory)
1-page business summary (due Sunday, March 30, 2026)
Pitch and present demo/prototype at the EIC Final Round | Thursday, April 2, 2026