Your Ideas. Your Idaho.
Boise State’s College of Education and Public Service, Venture College, and Idaho Partners for Good invite students from all majors to apply for the 2026 Social Impact Challenge, a cross-campus design thinking experience and pitch competition focused on addressing challenges facing Idaho communities.
What is it?
Working with mentors and local community partners, student teams will identify a social challenge and develop and pitch a solution that addresses barriers to access in one or more of the following areas:
- Housing: affordability, transportation, navigation
- Food: food deserts, education, cost, cutbacks
- Healthcare: coverage gaps, provider shortages, funding cuts
- Mental Health: stigma, cost, provider shortages, funding cuts
- Childcare: cost, provider shortages, staffing, licensing
Why participate?
- Make an impact: Develop solutions to real challenges facing Idaho communities alongside local partners and mentors.
- Compete for up to $3,000: Teams can win cash prizes, with an additional bonus for solutions focused on Boise State students.
- Earn course credit: Students can opt into SPS 297/497, a seven-week design thinking experience offering 1–3 pass/fail credits.
- Gain experience and connections: Build your resume through hands-on work with community partners while connecting with mentors and potential internship and applied learning opportunities.
- Open to all students: Students of all majors and class levels are encouraged to participate.
How to Get Involved
Applications close Sept. 8. Participants will attend weekly workshops on Fridays from 1–3 p.m.
Key dates
- Orientation and Community Launch: Sept. 11, noon–2 p.m.
- Final Pitch Competition: Nov. 6, 1–3 p.m.
Complete the registration form to join the challenge
Questions? Contact mikestefancic@boisestate.edu.