Grand Challenge Scholars Program

Receive a renewable scholarship of $1,000 your first year!

Earn thousands of dollars in funding during the Grand Challenge Scholars Program Pitch Event! Every fall, GCSP students pitch their challenge projects to an assembly of judges made up of faculty, alumni and members of the U of I Academy of Engineers to secure funding for their ideas.

Become a mentee of a senior engineer in the U of I Academy of Engineers who is deeply connected to our legacy of global engineering impact. These leaders have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to improving our world through achievement, high ethical standards and innovation, and are excited to help GCSP students do the same.

Build a living document that captures the entirety of your engineering skillsets. E-portfolios are referenced during meetings with your mentor and are great resources for potential employers.

• Participate in creative learning through research, working alongside a nationally recognized faculty member. Students often co-author publications and participate in professional conferences!
  
  
• Participate in education abroad, national student exchange, and/or ASUI volunteer trips to expand your cultural competency
  
  
• Develop your skills by adding a multidisciplinary certificate to your resume

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE), at the request of the National Science Foundation (NSF), convened a committee of leading technical thinkers to identify the Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century.

Sustainability

• Make solar energy economical
• Provide energy from fusion
• Develop carbon sequestration methods
• Manage the nitrogen cycle
• Provide access to clean water

Security

• Restore and improve urban infrastructure
• Prevent nuclear terror
• Secure cyberspace

Health

• Advance health informatics
• Engineer better medicines

Joy of Living

• Reverse-engineer the brain
• Enhance virtual reality
• Advance personalized learning
• Engineer the tools of scientific discovery