Grainger Computing Innovation Prize

Tackle the World’s Most Challenging Problems

Create inventive technology solutions to the challenges that society faces today through the Grainger Computing Innovation Prize, established by Illinois Tech in 2021. Exhibit computing skills in big data, artificial intelligence, and data science projects with the potential to positively impact society by building an interdisciplinary team with fellow students. Tackle projects in “Computing with Data and AI for Social Good” to address real-world problems in education, health, energy, public safety, transportation, economic development, sustainable smart infrastructure, climate change, and more. Entries must include an element of computing and demonstrate the potential impact of the work. 

The Grainger Computing Innovation Prize reflects Illinois Tech’s purpose of harnessing the collective power of difference to drive innovation by bridging different ways of thinking to tackle some of the world’s most critical challenges. 

Entries will be judged on computing aspects and its ability to demonstrate the work’s potential for societal impact, rather than outlining a business plan. Teams are encouraged to interface with new generative AI technologies to enhance the projects’ impact.

Interdisciplinary solutions and creative thinking are key, but all entries must involve an element of computing.

All enrolled undergraduate and master’s degree students at Illinois Tech are eligible for the competition.

The Grainger Computing Innovation Prize is a team-based competition with two to five students from any area of study composing a team. The recommended team size is four or five students. Each team is required to include at least one undergraduate or Accelerated Master’s Program student. Doctoral students are not eligible for the prize but are encouraged to participate as mentors.

Students may register as a team or as an individual. Help may be available for individuals to form a team.

Kickoff Event and Overview

Competition Stages

The Grainger Computing Innovation Prize will progress through three stages during the academic year:

• Round 1 (September 25, 2026) Submit concept notes describing the idea. Selected teams will move on to the next round.
• Round 2 (November 20, 2026) Develop a detailed prototype of the idea. Selected teams will move on to the finals.
• Finals (March 4, 2027) Present the idea in front of a top-tier panel of judges.

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