INFORMATION
The Main Street GF Challenge wants to help bring your ideas to life! This unique partnership of stakeholders asks students to propose projects with a civic focus. We then award $30,000 in supporting capital to implement their ideas!
So if you are a student with an idea to make Grand Forks a better place, we encourage you to apply and get resources to implement your ideas this summer.
So if you are a student with an idea to make Grand Forks a better place, we encourage you to apply and get resources to implement your ideas this summer.
WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
HEALTHY VIBRANT COMMUNITIES
What makes a community more vibrant? Are there amenities that would increase our quality of life? Are there planning decisions or projects that could help us become a healthier community?
In this category, we are looking for unique ideas that will embolden our public spaces and artworks; help create walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods; and strengthen our sense of place.
SMART, EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
Do we have underutilized streets and sidewalks? Could we better utilize our power grid and bandwidth? Can we use existing infrastructure for unique building projects?
In this category, we are looking for unique ideas that will use our existing infrastructure (more than just pipes and power lines) in a more efficient or creative manner.
21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE
How can we respond to our changing workforce demands? What would attract a 21st century workforce? How can we adapt to the new ways people want to work?
We want projects that offer new ways to get more people interested in the tech field and to learn by more hands-on experience. Furthermore, we always need better ways to get leaders from both businesses and cities to work better together.
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES
Projects that foster entrepreneurial activity, create a welcoming community, or connect UND to downtown are encouraged.
What makes a community more vibrant? Are there amenities that would increase our quality of life? Are there planning decisions or projects that could help us become a healthier community?
In this category, we are looking for unique ideas that will embolden our public spaces and artworks; help create walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods; and strengthen our sense of place.
SMART, EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
Do we have underutilized streets and sidewalks? Could we better utilize our power grid and bandwidth? Can we use existing infrastructure for unique building projects?
In this category, we are looking for unique ideas that will use our existing infrastructure (more than just pipes and power lines) in a more efficient or creative manner.
21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE
How can we respond to our changing workforce demands? What would attract a 21st century workforce? How can we adapt to the new ways people want to work?
We want projects that offer new ways to get more people interested in the tech field and to learn by more hands-on experience. Furthermore, we always need better ways to get leaders from both businesses and cities to work better together.
CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES
Projects that foster entrepreneurial activity, create a welcoming community, or connect UND to downtown are encouraged.
timeline
Applications Due
On or before January 5, 2020 at 11:59pm - APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Challengers Announced
January 16, 2020
Leadership Development Sessions Begin
January 2020
On or before January 5, 2020 at 11:59pm - APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Challengers Announced
January 16, 2020
Leadership Development Sessions Begin
January 2020
AWARDS
UND AND HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS
These are projects led by the students, so the deliverables will be directed by each unique project. The students will have up to 6 months to implement their project. At the completion of the implementation or the 6 months, the student is expected to write up a report on the experience, including lessons learned, regardless of any success metric.
Our hope is that these projects are only the beginning of bigger ideas that grow past these first 6 months.
- Up to $5,000 supporting capital for project development
- Up to $2,000 scholarship to attend UND (High School Award Only)
- 6-months membership to The 701 Coworking Space ($750 value) to work with other creators and entrepreneurs
- Civic advisor with expertise in your project's field or a related area.
- Advance your project with skill building workshops throughout Spring Semester.
These are projects led by the students, so the deliverables will be directed by each unique project. The students will have up to 6 months to implement their project. At the completion of the implementation or the 6 months, the student is expected to write up a report on the experience, including lessons learned, regardless of any success metric.
Our hope is that these projects are only the beginning of bigger ideas that grow past these first 6 months.
