OTAN News

U.S. Department of Education Launches $1 Million Future Finder Challenge to Reimagine Career Navigation for Adult Learners

Multistage Challenge will Advance Digital Tools that Meet the Unique Needs of Adult Learners

The U.S. Department of Education invites innovators — including strategists, developers, user-centered designers, and educators — to submit prototypes for digital tools that will improve the career navigation experience for adult learners.

Challenge overview

There are two stages and deployment.

Stage 1: Open Submissions

1. Innovators submit prototypes.
2. Submissions are due by 6:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, December 15, 2022.
3. Five finalists will be selected to receive $50,000 each and progress to Stage 2.

Stage 2: Accelerator

1. Finalists will have access to virtual resources, expert mentorship to help build and test their tools.
2. Guidance around user-centered design, data collection, evaluation and sustainability will be shared.
3. Finalists will submit their market ready tools for review and participate in a live demo day.
4. One grand-prize winner will receive $500,000 and up to two runners-up will receive a share of $250,000.

Beyond the Challenge: Deployment

Winners will be supported with guidance about marketing and customizable templates for communications materials as they deploy their solutions across the adult ed ecosystem.

Full Article: Future Finder Challenge