Innovation Challenge Third Place Award

What you will need

• ✓ Completed General Application via the NAIT awards portal
• ✓ Participation in the Innovation Challenge hosted within the Mawji Centre for New Venture and Student Entrepreneurship

About this award

You get $500.00. This is a prize, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an entrepreneurial student competing in the Innovation Challenge at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology). You must apply by February 12, 2027. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — email, portal, or phone. Winners are chosen based on the presentation and overall achievement of the teams in the Innovation Challenge. The award goes to the third best team. Selection criteria aren't published — ask NAIT how they score the presentations so you can prepare your pitch. Ask NAIT during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with NAIT whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be a student participating in the Innovation Challenge hosted within the Mawji Centre for New Venture and Student Entrepreneurship at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology). The award is specifically for the third best team based on their presentation and overall achievement in the challenge.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• PresentationAvoid reading directly from your slides. Instead, use your presentation to tell a compelling story about your innovation. Practice your pitch in front of a mirror to improve your delivery.
• SupportAvoid trying to handle every part of the project alone. Instead, lean on your teammates to divide the workload based on each person's strengths. Set a weekly meeting to ensure your team is aligned.
• StrategyAvoid focusing only on the technical side of your project. Instead, emphasize the overall achievement and the practical impact of your innovation. Review the challenge goals to make sure your solution solves a real problem.
• RealismAvoid assuming the General Application is enough to win. Instead, remember that while you are automatically considered, the prize depends on your performance during the event. Focus your energy on the final presentation.

Questions students ask

Similar awards

• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)The Matt Miller Legacy Scholarship for Interior Design Technology$1,000
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)Ames Tile & Stone Ltd. Bursary$1,000
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)Confrerier de la Chaine des Rotisseurs - Bailliage de l'Alberta nord Bursary$3,000
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)The Garry and Pat Meadus Male Leadership Award$500
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)Road 55: One Lollipop Leadership and Community Award$1,000
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)The Princess Auto Foundation Bursaries - Instrumentation and Control Technician$1,000
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)The Princess Auto Foundation Bursaries - Auto Body Technician$1,000
• NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology)Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation Men's Hockey Awards - Fall$500