The Paradigm Challenge
ListedCompetition
- Award
- For teams of four or more: grand prize $100,000 instead of first place $10,000; other age-division first places $10,000, seconds $2,000, thirds $1,000; other finalists up to $200 per team. For teams smaller than four, each qualifying member receives 25% of the listed team prize ($25,000 for the grand prize; $50 for other finalists).
- Deadline
- May 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST, as stated in the official rules. Finalists announced by June 1, 2027.
- How to apply
- Register and submit an English-language entry online, individually or in a team of any size. Provide team and member details, an idea statement of at most 140 characters, idea category and explanation, and participation-question responses. Files or video links are optional. Multiple entries and teams are allowed; new entries are required even for previous entrants.
- Who can apply
- Ages 4 to 18 on submission, with parent or legal-guardian permission. International participants are eligible except residents of U.S.-sanctioned jurisdictions; sponsor-related personnel and their specified family or household members are excluded. The oldest member determines the age division, and any ineligible member disqualifies the whole team.
- Good to know
- Judging considers efficacy, feasibility, originality, presentation and collaboration, including outside collaboration for individual entrants. First-place trips cover up to four members and accompanying parents or guardians. Potential winners must return consent and eligibility documents within 72 hours; taxes and unspecified costs are their responsibility. The rules use PST for the May deadline.
- Details
- STEMServiceInternational students eligible