The Grand Challenge
Help us solve the local and global problem of mosquitoes.
Overview
Over $50,000 in funding is available to teams who submit the most innovative proposals addressing the challenge of controlling mosquitoes. Stage three of the Grand Challenge is go, with help on hand to give your submission the best chance of securing funding.
Be sure to check out the Resources page for videos by mosquito experts who outline the big hurdles in controlling mosquitoes and workshop recordings that provide the tools and frameworks to help your team outline your proposal in the most compelling way.
The Grand Challenge is a great way to meet new people, be exposed to fresh ideas, learn new skills, and build creative, original work while having real-world impact. Great ideas come from everywhere, so no matter your background or experience you’ve got everything to gain by participating.
What are you waiting for? Register your interest now.
Stage 3: Grand Challenge
Grand Challenge submissions are now open, and you could share in over $50,000 in funding to advance your idea! Register your interest, put the available resources to use and submit your potential solution to the challenge of controlling mosquitoes. Successful teams will not only receive $5,000 in finding to work on their idea, but also have the opportunity to participate in I2N’s pre-accelerator program, Validator, to ensure their idea has the greatest potential for real-world impact.
The Grand Challenge is a great way to meet new people, be exposed to fresh ideas, learn new skills and build creative, original work while having real-world impact. Great ideas come from everywhere, so no matter your background or experience you’ve got everything to gain by participating.
Stage 4: Prototyping and testing
Teams that have been provided funding have the opportunity to participate in Navigator (Dec) and Validator (Feb-Apr) to ensure their projects have real-world impact. Teams in Validator will be provided coaching and mentoring. All teams will be required to submit a final report outlining the outcomes of prototyping and testing their idea over a 6-month period.
Stage 1: Idea Spark Competition
A pre-challenge competition with the aim of inspiring creative ideas, the Idea Spark Competition invites University students, staff and alumni to submit ideas for how mosquitoes might be controlled. Ideas must be expressed in fewer than 500 words or within a 1-minute video. Judged by an expert panel, the top 10 most innovative and creative ideas that are grounded in knowledge of current constraints in controlling mosquitoes will each win a $500 School Locker voucher. There is no limit to the number of entries or prizes per person.
Applications are now closed for 2020.
Click here for Idea Spark Competition information and to make a submission.
Idea Spark Winners
- How mosquitoes might be controlled by Danidu Kudagamage
- Project Fluorescence by Alex Skinner
- Wear-pellents by Kudzai Beta
- Mosquitoes on Campus by Timor Atkins
- Repel in Style by Chelsea Lee
- Repellent Garden by Chelsea Lee
- Mosquito repellent textiles by Deborah Trevallion
- Killing mosquitos with Cashews shells and water fountains by Ayanka Wijayawardna
- Windy Play by Fiona Hawke
- Project mKO by Catherine Mackay
Stage 2: Skill Development
The Skill Development stage is your chance to build your knowledge and skills to make sure your team’s application in the Grand Challenge has the greatest chance of success. Over three weeks you will have access to mosquito experts, last year’s Grand Challenge winners and organisations working in the field to implement interventions in controlling mosquitoes. These virtual events and workshops are free to attend, providing a great professional development opportunity.