The Student Impact Challenge provides high school students making an impact in their community with an opportunity to share their talents, validate and refine their ideas, and gain experience. This year’s competition is presented by The Allstate Foundation, which empowers youth to serve their communities and create positive change.
Watch selected finalists compete live before a panel of industry experts in the Student Impact Challenge on Wednesday, March 11. Following the live competition, join us for ice cream and the winner announcement at the Student Impact Ice Cream Social presented by The Allstate Foundation.
Finalists and semifinalists will have access to coaching provided by CASE at Duke.
High School students are encouraged to complete the online application process to be considered as a finalist or semifinalist for the Student Impact Challenge.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must be a currently enrolled high school student and 13 years or older in order to be considered.
- Both U.S. and international applicants are eligible.
- Solo entrepreneurs and team applicants qualify.
- Proposed solutions must be past the ideation stage and must be in active development.
- Proposed solutions must be seeking to solve social challenges that resonate in communities at a local, regional, national, or international level, regardless of project scale.
Finalists
- Receive 6 complimentary credentials to SXSW EDU 2026 (2 for the student presenters, and the remaining 4 for adult chaperones and additional team members)
- Pitch live to an audience of educators, investors, and changemakers for the opportunity to win the “Student Impact Award
- Have access to coaching sessions with savvy innovators selected by SXSW EDU to help participants refine their project idea and perfect their pitch
Semifinalists
- Receive 6 complimentary credentials to SXSW EDU 2026 (2 for the student presenters, and the remaining 4 for adult chaperones and additional team members)
- Have access to coaching sessions with savvy innovators selected by SXSW EDU to help participants refine their project idea and model
- Opportunity to showcase their project or initiative to a live audience of educators, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators on stage at SXSW EDU
Student Impact Award:
This award is given to the Student Impact Challenge's grand prize winner. The recipient of this award impressed the judges as the top project with its innovative solution to a clear problem, strong execution plan, proof of concept, potential for impact, and unique perspective of the team.
For frequently asked questions and answers, check out the Student Impact Challenge FAQ.
Learn more about the history of the Student Impact Challenge by browsing a full list of past finalists and winners.



