Future of Tech Innovation Challenge
Official Rules & Terms and Conditions
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
By submitting an entry to the Future of Tech Innovation Challenge (the “Challenge”), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Official Rules and all decisions of PROPEL Center / PROPEL U (“PROPEL” or “Administrator”), which are final and binding.
If you do not agree to these Official Rules, do not submit an entry.
1. Sponsor; Administrator
The Challenge is sponsored and administered by PROPEL Center / PROPEL U. Certain aspects of the Challenge may be supported by corporate, nonprofit, or institutional partners.
Apple Inc. and all other partners are not sponsors or administrators of the Challenge and are not responsible for registration, judging, prize fulfillment, travel arrangements, or administration of the Challenge.
2. Eligibility
The Challenge is open only to individuals who, at the time of entry:
- Are actively enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited Historically Black College or University (HBCU);
- Are at least eighteen (18) years of age; If under the age of eighteen (18), have verifiable written consent from a parent or legal guardian;
- Participate as part of a team of three (3) to five (5) students from the same institution.
Eligibility is subject to verification. Finalists will be required to submit their most recent academic transcript and any additional documentation requested by PROPEL to confirm eligibility.
Employees, officers, directors, contractors, and agents of PROPEL and its affiliates, and their immediate family members, are not eligible.
3. Challenge Description
The Challenge invites students to imagine the world seven (7) to ten (10) years into the future and design an AI-powered product concept that addresses an emerging challenge or opportunity.
Submissions must demonstrate:
- Meaningful and responsible use of artificial intelligence
- Ethical, privacy-conscious, and human-centered design
- Clear storytelling and future-oriented reasoningNo functional, coded, or deployed product is required.
4. Challenge Categories
Each team must select one (1) category:
- Cybersecurity, Energy & Climate Resilience
- Health Innovation
- EdTech & Learning Futures
- Sports, Arts & Media Technology
- Open Innovation (Future Scenario)
5. Deadlines
All deadlines close at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).
- Applications Open: January 12
- Applications Close: January 28
- Final Project Submission Deadline: February 20
PROPEL is not responsible for late, lost, incomplete, misdirected, or corrupted submissions, regardless of cause.
6. Submission Requirements
Each team must submit all required materials by the final submission deadline, including:
- One (1) pitch presentation (Keynote or PDF);
- One (1) concept video (2–3 minutes); and
- Any additional written materials required by PROPEL.
All submissions must be original work created by the submitting team.
7. Use of Artificial Intelligence
Teams must clearly explain how AI is used in their proposed solution. AI must be used ethically and responsibly.Submissions must not:
- Claim guaranteed outcomes or real-world deployment;
- Represent medical, legal, or safety diagnoses;
- Misrepresent technical capabilities or AI functionality.
Teams must disclose the use of any third-party AI tools, platforms, or datasets.
8. Information Not Deemed Confidential
PROPEL works with many students, institutions, and partners and may receive submissions that are similar to or competitive with other ideas.
To avoid potential misunderstandings, all submissions and related materials are non-confidential, and PROPEL disclaims any express or implied obligation of confidentiality with respect to submissions.
Submission does not grant PROPEL ownership of the work.
9. Prohibited Content
Submissions must not include content that is unlawful, discriminatory, harassing, infringing, unsafe, or misleading. PROPEL, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any submission that violates these standards.
10. Judging (Official Scoring Rubric)
Submissions will be evaluated by qualified judges using an official 100-point scoring rubric designed to assess future-oriented thinking, clarity of vision, responsible use of artificial intelligence, and overall presentation quality.
The scoring categories are as follows:
Future Vision & Thought Leadership (35 points)
Evaluates how powerfully the team imagines the future (five [5] to ten [10] years ahead), demonstrates originality, intellectual rigor, and cultural awareness, and positions the concept as a compelling, future-forward idea.
Presentation Quality & Delivery (20 points)
Assesses the clarity, confidence, storytelling structure, pacing, and emotional impact of the presentation, including effective use of visual materials and recorded video.
Problem Clarity & Impact (15 points)
Measures how clearly the team defines the problem being addressed, why it matters, and the potential for meaningful human, community, or societal impact.
AI Strategy & Apple Software Ecosystem Integration (30 points)
Evaluates how thoughtfully artificial intelligence — including Apple Intelligence and Apple software platforms — is integrated into the concept. This category focuses on conceptual strategy, ethical reasoning, privacy considerations, and the role of Apple’s software ecosystem in enabling the proposed future vision, rather than technical execution.Submissions may be scored across performance levels including Exceptional, Strong, Good, Developing, and Limited, as defined by the official scoring rubric.
All judging decisions are final and binding.
11. Disqualification
PROPEL reserves the right to disqualify any participant or submission that:
- Fails to meet eligibility or submission requirements;
- Contains false, misleading, plagiarized, or fabricated information;
- Infringes intellectual property rights;
- Engages in harassment, misconduct, or interference with the Challenge; or
- Otherwise compromises the integrity or fairness of the Challenge.
12. Finalists & Participation Obligations
Finalist teams must participate in required coaching, rehearsals, and Challenge-related activities. Failure to comply may result in disqualification or forfeiture of prizes.
13. Prizes
Prizes may include scholarships, cash-equivalent awards, technology, travel, or other items as determined by PROPEL.
Scholarship funds will be distributed within ninety (90) days following the official close of the Challenge, subject to verification and completion of required documentation.
Recipients will be required to submit applicable tax forms prior to fund distribution.
14. Travel, Lodging & Stipend (Finalists Only)
For finalist teams invited to attend the national showcase, PROPEL will arrange and cover economy-class round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and provide a fixed stipend for meals, subject to availability and compliance with program requirements.
Travel coverage is limited to economy-class arrangements only. The following are the sole responsibility of the participant:
- Flight changes, rebooking fees, early departures, or extended stays
- Additional meals beyond the provided stipend
- Upgrades, incidentals, or personal expenses
- Costs resulting from missed flights, schedule changes, late arrivals, or failure to comply with travel instructions or deadlines
Flight Credits & No-Show Policy
If a participant cancels their trip, fails to travel as scheduled, misses a flight, or does not appear for travel for any reason (including personal, academic, or airline-related issues), any resulting airline flight credits, vouchers, or residual travel value shall revert to and be retained by PROPEL. Participants waive any claim to such credits or monetary value.
Non-Transferability
All travel arrangements, stipends, and accommodations are non-transferable and may not be reassigned, sold, or exchanged.
Compliance & Conduct
Participants must comply with all airline, hotel, venue, safety, and conduct policies, as well as all instructions provided by PROPEL. Failure to comply may result in removal from the program and forfeiture of travel benefits.
Program Modifications
PROPEL reserves the right to modify, reschedule, or cancel travel arrangements due to operational, safety, funding, or force majeure circumstances. In such cases, PROPEL’s obligations are limited to the arrangements already issued, if any.
15. Intellectual Property
Participants retain ownership of their submissions.By entering, participants grant PROPEL and its partners a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use submission materials solely for evaluating, administering, promoting, and reporting on the Challenge.
16. Publicity
Except where prohibited by law, participants grant PROPEL the right to use their name, likeness, voice, and submission materials for promotional, educational, and reporting purposes without additional compensation.
17. Limitation of Liability
Participants assume all risks associated with participation and agree to release and hold harmless PROPEL, its partners, and affiliates from any claims arising from participation or prize acceptance.
18. Modification or Cancellation
PROPEL reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Challenge if circumstances compromise its fairness, integrity, or proper administration.
19. Governing Law
These Official Rules are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the state of Alabama, the applicable state jurisdiction of PROPEL’s principal operations.