Calling All Community College Student Innovators! (CCIC)
April 3
Event Title: Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) — Submission Deadline
Event Website / URL: https://www.aaccinnovationchallenge.com/
Description:
The Community College Innovation Challenge is a national competition led by the American Association of Community Colleges in partnership with the National Science Foundation. Student teams (with a mentor) submit a STEM innovation that addresses a real-world problem. Submissions are due by April 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Finalist teams are announced in late April -AND- Attend an in-person Innovation Boot Camp in Washington, D.C. on June 8–11, 2026.
What can you do?
LEARN: REGISTER & Attend an information session on February 5 to learn more and to hear from past CCIC faculty mentors about its impact on students—or have your students vet their ideas with former competition judges and participants on February 19.
JOIN: Assemble a student team and become a faculty or administrator mentor.
SHARE: Help us spread the word and join the conversation online! #CCIChallenge2026.
APPLY: Encourage students to learn more or apply at www.aaccinnovationchallenge.com.
For questions, email CCIC@aacc.nche.edu