• Application open: December 1, 2024 at 5 p.m.
  • Application due: February 12, 2025 by 5 p.m.

Thank you for your interest in applying to the $50,000 Idea Challenge. Please follow the instructions below.

Each team must be officially registered by completing the application process in this section. This includes creating a profile, adding a team, and having the team apply to the competition by providing brief answers to the application questions. At this part of the process a very basic description of your idea is needed, we understand specifics are not determined at this point. The workshops in February help with more details.

How to Apply to the Idea Challenge

Create a DifferenceMaker Idea Platform Profile:

Log in to the DifferenceMaker Idea Plan Dashboard

  1. Click on the Create Profile button
  2. Complete your profile:
    • If you are the team captain, select TeamMaker.
    • If you are looking to join a team, select TeamSeeker.
    • If you are not sure whether you're a TeamMaker or TeamSeeker, select New Profile.
    • Each team member will need to create a profile.
      • Team members can also join after a team is approved.

Submit your Idea Challenge Application:

  1. Create or Join a team
  2. Click on the Application button within team.
    1. NOTE: Only team captains will be able to apply
    2. If you have multiple teams, select the team you wish to apply with
  3. Complete the form and click the submit button
  4. Application approval.
    1. Can take one to three days.
  5. Wait for the Idea Plan portal activation (Typically the same Due Date for taking applications closes).
  6. You can now start adding items and submit your idea plan when complete.

NOTE: If team leaders need to be reassigned, please email: differencemaker@uml.edu.

Preview

You can preview a version of the application (pdf) but please remember to apply online.

Team Assistance

Do you have a team? Are you seeking specific members with certain skills? Or are you a seeker looking to join an existing team? Use the TeamMaker Platform!
  • Follow the Current Projects or Current Seekers links to join an existing project team or to find team members.

Rules and Important Dates

Click on the plus signs below to expand and contract the different sections.

Questions

If you have any questions, please email: DifferenceMaker@uml.edu.