If you have an idea for an original way to help a local or international community, be it through a new technology, an educational initiative, or most anything else you can imagine, get ready for the IDEAS competition.

In the past, students have designed everything from an innovative micro-finance program targeted at artisans in Zimbabwe to a new type of filter which provides clean
drinking water for rural communities in Bangladesh. Locally, students have designed and implemented a data collection system at the Salvation Army shelter in Cambridge. Innovative ways of providing social services are also welcome, such as new ways of addressing substance abuse on college campuses.

Our website includes a list of projects that have been suggested by community
organizations and by students looking for people to join their teams. Students are also welcome to work on projects that they began as part of a class. So even if you don't have an idea quite yet, take a look at the Future Projects section of the site and see whether you can help make a winning team.

IDEAS teams should be comprised of members whose collective skills make the project feasible. At least one third of the team must be full-time, registered MIT students. Each team should collaborate with a community partner, even if the partnerships are supported only by mail and phone conversations. Teams are also encouraged to work with advisors and mentors, such as faculty members, alumni, or others with expertise in the relevant field. Teams seeking mentors or advisors can fill out mentor requests and submit them at any time.

Teams can submit initial proposals on the 15th of each month from October through March. Initial proposals are reviewed by the IDEAS staff, who will provide detailed and confidential feedback at proposal review sessions. Teams who submit initial proposals may also submit requests for Development Grants of up to $1,000. The deadline for final applications is April 16, 2008.

(For a more detailed timeline, please go to the Timeline section of this site).

For more information of what exactly goes into the Initial Proposal, Development Grant Requests, and the Final Application, please click on the appropriate links in the left hand menu.

If you would like the print out the official IDEAS Informational Packet, which includes a more detailed description of the competition including some frequently asked questions and the competition timeline, you can download the documents here (PDF files):

IDEAS General Information
FAQs
Initial Proposal Guide
Development Grant Information
Mentor Information
Final Application Guildelines

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your ideas.