The Innovation Challenge

What is the Innovation Challenge?

The Innovation Challenge invites students to create a plan for something new - whether that means solving a real problem or dreaming up an original innovation. What matters most is that the idea genuinely means something to you. We're looking for two things above all:

  • A strong why, where the idea is grounded in a clear personal story that shows passion and conviction

  • A well-substantiated case, where you've researched your idea, thought about how it could actually work in the real world and considered how to overcome any potential obstacles standing in the way

We're looking for students who have a genuine passion for their idea and have truly thought it through - think of it as a platform for creativity to run wild. If you had all the money in the world, what would you change? If there were no barriers to skill, what would you build? Those are the ideas we want to hear.

  • This competition is open to all current Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 students across the UK. There are no entry fees.

    Students can apply by themselves or in groups with a maximum of 4 team members

  • First submit a written proposal and proof of being in year 11/12/13 either to our email: info@empoweredvoices.org.uk or via the submission form on our website below.

    All proposals will be reviewed by judges and successful applicants will be invited to a 20-30 minute interview to discuss their idea further with the judges as the final stage of the competition.

    Please see our application guidance below for more details.

  • The deadline for this competition is 23.59pm on Sunday 9th August. Any submissions after this time will not be accepted.

  • We have a range of exciting prizes to give out!

    1st place - £500 & Macbook Neo (Individual prize) / £1100 (Team prize)

    2nd place - £250

    3rd place - £100

    There will additionally be some Honourable Mention Winners.

    The top 3 winners will all become Empowered Voices Fellows and receive tailored mentoring, access to exclusive opportunities such as trips to Oxbridge and Russel group universities, internship and work experience.

  • All written proposals will be assessed against a formal criteria by members of the Empowered Voices team:

    • Jordan Unokesan - President

    • Tia Da Silva-Hunt - Director of Operations & Designated Safeguarding Lead

    • Gordon Armah - Head of Programmes

    All entries will be assigned a random number to keep participant details anonymous and to eliminate any potential bias from judges.

  • Results will be released on Monday 17th August at 9.00am via our website and LinkedIn. We will also be emailing the winners on the same day so keep an eye on your inboxes!

How To Apply

  • 1) Describe your idea in 1-3 sentences

  • 2) Create a Written Proposal (500-1000 words)

    Answer both prompts (250-500 words each)

    • What is your story? Tell us about yourself

    • What is your idea and why should we choose it?

    You may include pictures and diagrams to support your application

  • 3) Send us proof of your Year 12/13 status

    Send one of the following documents:

    • A school enrolment letter or confirmation letter

    • A current timetable (showing name and school)

    • A current student ID card (showing name, school and academic year)

    • A recent school report or transcript

    • A letter or email from your school (From the office, a teacher or head of year)

  • Submit your answers

    Email your answers and proof to info@empoweredvoices.org.uk or complete the submission form below

  • Applications are on a rolling basis

    The sooner you apply, the sooner your application gets reviewed!

Submission Details

Please email your written proposal as a word document to our email address info@empoweredvoices.org.uk or submit through our website by 23:59pm on Sunday 9th August 2026.

The document title should be ‘Innovation-Challenge-FullName’ e.g. ‘Innovation-Challenge-JohnDoe’.

In the email please include your full name and school.

If you are submitting as a team, please nominate one person to submit on behalf of the group and include the names and proof of year group status of the other teammates in the email as well.

Alternatively, submit your application in the form below.

Once received we will send you a confirmation email to let you know your submission has gone through. Any submissions after this time will not be accepted.

Each student may submit one entry.

All work submitted must be your own, plagiarism of any kind will result in immediate disqualification. You may you AI tools to generate ideas and brainstorm but any work written by AI will be disqualified - all submissions will be processed through an AI detection tool.