Grand Challenges Scholars Program: Helping Students Change the World

December 5, 2024

In 2008, the National Academy of Engineering introduced the 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering, focusing society's attention on critical opportunities and challenges that affect our quality of life. To equip the next generation of engineers to tackle these challenges, the NAE established the Grand Challenges Scholars Program.

At USU the Grand Challenges Scholars Program integrates seamlessly with existing College of Engineering programs, allowing students to expand their learning through faculty-led activities beyond traditional coursework.

At USU the Grand Challenges Scholars Program integrates seamlessly with existing College of Engineering programs, allowing students to expand their learning through faculty-led activities beyond traditional coursework.

At Utah State University, the GCSP integrates seamlessly with existing College of Engineering programs. Students expand their learning through faculty-led activities beyond traditional coursework, preparing them to address real-world challenges with a socially engaged and innovative mindset. The GCSP emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and hands-on experience, helping students develop beyond technical expertise to become socially conscious, innovative leaders in their field.

The program requires participants to build skills in five core competencies, ensuring they graduate with a breadth of experiences valued by employers. There are 13 current Grand Challenge Scholars, with six students who have completed the program.

Participants receive:

  • A scholarship of $750 per year
  • A recognition letter from the National Academy of Engineering,
  • A digital badge and medal
  • Recognition in commencement as a scholar

The program covers four cross-cutting themes: sustainability, health, security, and joy of living. USU’s GCSP program helps prepare students to become more socially conscious, innovative and engaged in the field of engineering.

USU currently has 13 Grand Challenge Scholars, with six students who have completed the program.

USU currently has 13 Grand Challenge Scholars, with six students who have completed the program.

14 Grand Challenges:

  1. Advance Personalized Learning
  2. Make Solar Energy Economical
  3. Enhance Virtual Reality
  4. Reverse-Engineer the Brain
  5. Engineer Better Medicines
  6. Advance Health Informatics
  7. Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure
  8. Secure Cyberspace
  9. Provide Access to Clean Water
  10. Provide Energy from Fusion
  11. Prevent Nuclear Terror
  12. Manage the Nitrogen Cycle
  13. Develop Carbon Sequestration Methods
  14. Engineering the Tools of Scientific Discovery

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Contact: Ron Sims, ron.sims@usu.edu, 435-797-3156