What is THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE?
It’s back.
Following a successful year one – in which hundreds of Nevadans statewide stepped up with creative ideas aplenty – THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE: AN EDUCATION INNOVATION CONTEST™ is here to help make a better Nevada for us all.
In 2022, $275,000 in total funding was awarded to education innovators throughout the state, helping take their winning ideas to the next level. These included an interactive job shadowing and training platform, a virtual tutoring program for kindergartners and music-centric wellness initiative.
Here in 2023, the need for education innovation in Nevada remains. There is still work to do and we need your big ideas. Now, more than ever, we need to encourage our residents to step forward with their ideas and empower them to make an impact. Teachers, parents, small groups, and ultimately any Nevadan that has a concrete idea for improving education in state, now is the time.
We want to hear from and embolden you. So, whether you’re a BIG IDEA newbie or you’re back for round two, welcome back to
THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE: AN EDUCATION INNOVATION CONTEST™.
What is the BIG IDEA CHALLENGE?
THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE: AN EDUCATION INNOVATION CONTEST™ provides a jumping-off platform like no other. No idea is too big or too small – spanning a curriculum tool that strengthens learning for students, a technology concept to boost a school’s infrastructure, a platform to enhance teachers’ efficiency or whatever next great idea can enhance Nevada’s educational landscape. We want to help jumpstart your unique ideas like never before and up to $500,000 in total contest funds is at stake. These funds will (and must) be used to take your idea to the next level – ultimately making a positive impact on Nevada students. Supporting the BIG IDEA CHALLENGE are the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and the Engelstad Foundation.

The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education provides educational opportunities and resources to an otherwise underserved population. Since the inception of the 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit, private charity in 1994, more than $180 million dollars has been raised to benefit the mission of the Foundation including $118 million from the Grand Slam for Children fundraising event.
The Engelstad Foundation was founded in 2002 to promote medical research, improve the lives of people with disabilities and create new possibilities for high-risk individuals. Since, it has expanded its focus to education reform, healthcare, childhood issues and more. To-date the Foundation has provided more than $300 million in grants to organizations throughout Nevada, North Dakota, Utah, Minnesota and Mississippi.
So, what is your BIG IDEA? Let’s get started and get your idea submitted.
Spoiler: We’re making it easy for you to partake.
Let’s keep this simple, shall we?
To enter THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE: An Education Innovation Contest™, it boils down to this: We want to know all about you, your idea, what inspired it and how you can take it to the next level.
Application
Timeline
Application deadline
June 9, 2023
Legal
The official rules and regulations of the BIG IDEA CHALLENGE are very simple and straight forward.
We’ll be the judge of that!
An esteemed panel of judges selected the winners of THE BIG IDEA CHALLENGE: An Education Innovation Contest™ . The panel made up of business leaders, philanthropists, stewards of education, sports figures and musicians – all collectively active in enriching education through direct work with school systems in K-12 and higher education – is led by a few names and faces known by millions around the globe.