Learning Landscapes Challenge – May 14

Posted by Siegel Family Endowment on April 16, 2024

Learning Landscapes Challenge invites applications for infrastructure solutions to build future-ready K-12 education environments

Sponsored by Siegel Family Endowment and the Walton Family Foundation, the Learning Landscapes Challenge is a $2.2 million competition to design and build future-ready K-12 education environments. The challenge aims to help changemakers integrate social, digital, and physical infrastructure to bridge the learning of today with the learning of tomorrow. The multiphase challenge will provide entrants with funding, expertise, and access to a collaborative community of like-minded partners that can help them scale their solutions.

The challenge will unfold across three phases designed to identify and support infrastructural concepts and entrants with the potential to achieve tangible, transformative impact.

Phase 1—Concept development: All eligible entrants are invited to submit concepts for innovative infrastructure solutions. Submissions should articulate the proposed infrastructure solution, the intended learning experience, evidence base, partnership plans, and multidimensional needs to scale impact. Based on their evaluation, the judges will recommend up to 40 Phase 1 winners, each to receive $5,000 and an exclusive invitation to participate in Phase 2.

Phase 2—Accelerator: Phase 1 winners will be exclusively invited to participate in Phase 2, a 14-week virtual accelerator, to further refine concepts and build the partnerships needed for implementation. At the end of Phase 2, accelerator teams will submit detailed proposals for their solutions. As a part of the virtual accelerator, Phase 2 teams will be expected to validate the core elements or assumptions underpinning their concepts, refine their proposed solutions, and make tangible progress in establishing additional partnerships. Phase 2 teams will receive mentorship and technical support for developing solution concepts into detailed proposals, developing action plans, and cultivating multisector partnerships. Based on their evaluation, the judges will recommend up to 20 entrants to advance to a live Q&A, which will inform judges’ recommendations for up to five Phase 2 winners that will receive $200,000 each and advance to Phase 3.

Phase 3—Incubator: Phase 2 winners will be exclusively invited to enter the Phase 3 incubator to receive tailored support and mentorship focusing on concept implementation and sustainability. At the end of Phase 3, incubator teams will submit prototypes and implementation plans. Phase 3 teams will receive tailored technical support as they refine and scale their funding and delivery plans. The incubator, which will kick off with an in-person boot camp, will focus on developing sustainable funding plans through private and public streams. Phase 3 will conclude with a Demo Day featuring in-person Q&A and final presentations in front of a live audience and judges. Up to two grand-prize winners will receive $500,000 each to support implementation of their delivery solutions.

Phase 1 is open to all eligible entrants, however, Phases 2 and 3 require lead entrants to be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. During Phase 2, any Phase 1 winners that do not meet this requirement will be encouraged to partner with a relevant eligible entity and will receive technical support to do so

Phase 1 submissions close on May 14, 2024, at 7:59 p.m. ET, with Phase 1 winners to be announced in June 2024. Phase 2 submissions are due September 2024, with Phase 2 winners announced in October 2024. Phase 3 submissions are due April 2025, and Phase 3 winners to be announced in June 2025.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Learning Landscapes Challenge website.

Deadline: May 14, 2024 at 7:59 p.m. ET (Phase 1)