Subject: The world has problems. You have ideas. Join us as we launch the MIT Global Challenge!

From: Kate Mytty <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 13:44:25 -0500

Class of 2014, hello!

As the class of 2014, you have the special distinction of starting your experience at MIT as the Institute recognizes 150 years of service to the world. You know the world has problems. In four years, you’ll leave here with powerful ideas to repair and improve our world.

This year, the IDEAS Competition and the MIT Global Challenge have $150,000 in awards – up to $25,000 per project – to support your creative solutions to  challenges in communities around the world.

Each year, IDEAS awards up to 8 teams that have the potential to reduce barriers to well-being in areas like sanitation, health care access, education, housing, energy and more. Team members come from many courses, backgrounds and levels – and from beyond the Institute.

This year, we’re opening up the IDEAS Competition to the worldwide MIT community with today’s launch of the MIT Global Challenge (http://globalchallenge.mit.edu). We’re inviting MIT alumni and their networks around the world to support your work in “invention as public service” at MIT.

Through the Global Challenge, you can:
·     Browse problems and funded challenges defined by community partners

·     Create a team and pitch your innovative service project

·     Find a team to join through “Help Wanted” and “Help Offered” ads

·     Seek support from the worldwide MIT alumni community

This spring, panels of online and face-to-face judges will be asked to identify the best ideas to tackle community problems. Find out what it takes to turn your ideas into reality! Get started at http://globalchallenge.mit.edu

In the meantime, take advantage of these upcoming opportunities:

IAP Courses – in IP, mediation, starting a start-up and more to help you get started
February 23 - Generator Dinner – Come pitch your skills and your ideas.
March 5 – Final opportunity to submit an initial proposal
April 5 – Final proposals are due!
April and May – Join us for a community choice award online, an on-campus Poster & Judging Session and to celebrate the work of this year’s teams at the Awards Ceremony (we’re bringing a special guest to speak). Details at http://globalchallenge.mit.edu

Want to learn more? Drop me a line at [email-masked] or give me a ring, 617-715-5474. Otherwise, I hope you’ll join me and be a part of it!

Kate

Kate Mytty
MIT IDEAS Competition and MIT Global Challenge
[email-masked]
617-715-5474

The world has problems. You have ideas. We have $150,000 to make them happen. Join us as we launch the first MIT network for connecting public service innovators! http://globalchallenge.mit.edu.