The IEEE Presidents’ Change the World Competition recognizes students who develop unique solutions to real-world problems using engineering, science, computing and leadership skills to benefit their community and/or humanity.

Identify a global or local problem, develop a solution, then tell us how you have made a positive impact in the world. You could win US$10,000 and attend the 2009 IEEE Honors Ceremony in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Not a student? You can still participate by choosing the People’s Choice winner through online voting beginning in March 2009.

The first ever IEEE Presidents’ Change the World Competition is open to students who demonstrate excellence in the development, design and implementation of technology that solves a challenge that benefits humanity. 

The competition’s goal is to recognize and reward individual students or teams of students who identify a real-world problem and apply engineering, science, computing and leadership skills to solve it.  The contest offers students the perfect opportunity to have their ingenuity and enthusiasm for engineering and technology recognized by prestigious IEEE members around the globe.

Winners will receive awards ranging from the grand prize of U.S. $10,000 and the distinction of being named "IEEE Student Humanitarian Supreme,” to runner-up prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 (U.S.) awards.  Winners of the top three prizes will also be invited to accept their awards in-person in June 2009 at the IEEE Honors Ceremony in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Eligibility

The contest is open to individual members of IEEE Student Branches or teams of college and university level students who have elected an IEEE Student Branch member as the team lead. 

Judging

IEEE’s Regional Student Activities Committees will select 30 quarter-finalists to advance to the semi-final round.  An all-star judging panel of leading IEEE engineers and technical professionals will review the entries and select and rank 15 finalists.  The 15 finalist projects will be posted online voting to select a “People’s Choice” award will then commence.  IEEE’s immediate past, present and future presidents will also evaluate the projects and select the final winners based on the results their project achieves as well as the overall impact on humanity or their local community.

Submissions accepted 1 September 2008 through 28 February 2009.

• Review complete rules and judging criteria
• Submit your entry today!
• Pre-register your project
• Download the flyer (PDF | 136Kb)