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PrizeWhere: NationalNational: schools in any US state$Who gets the money: Goes to a teacher and the studentOpen

Project Paradigm

The Paradigm Challenge

A free contest for students ages 4 to 18 who come up with a fix for a real-life problem. Student teams can win up to $100,000, and the teachers who inspire them can win up to $5,000.

Amount
Students: $200 to $100,000 per team. Educator grants: $50 to $5,000
Can a for-profit school apply?
?Unclear: ask the funder
Deadline
May 1, 2027 (202 days left)
Who this fits
Microschool · Private school · Homeschool co‑opFor students ages 4 to 18, alone or in teams, with a parent's permission. No school is required, so homeschool and co-op students can enter. Teachers and others who inspire winning students get educator grants.?Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
New schools
Brand-new schools can apply
Where
National: schools in any US state
Last checked
Oct 9, 2026on projectparadigm.org
Apply on the funder’s site↗(opens projectparadigm.org in a new tab)Add to calendarAdd deadline to my calendar

Unconfirmed: check with the funder

We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.

  • ?Are educator grants paid to the teacher or to the school? The page calls them grants to “teachers and others”.

How to apply

  1. Step 1: Read the rules and this round's problem
  2. Step 2: Use the free lesson plan with your students
  3. Step 3: Get each student's parent or guardian permission
  4. Step 4: Submit entries by May 1, 2027

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“The Challenge is open only to individuals who: (a) will be aged 4 to 18 years old on the date that a timely entry is submitted”
In the funder’s own words, from projectparadigm.org, checked Oct 9, 2026.

Students use kindness, creativity and teamwork to propose a fix for a real-life problem. Educator grants (Grand $5,000, 1st $1,000, 2nd $500, 3rd $250, finalists $50) go to “teachers and others who inspire students” to take part. Free lesson plans are on the site.

  • Ages 4 to 18
  • Parent or guardian permission
  • Entry submitted online

Timing

Entries close 11:59 p.m. Pacific, May 1, 2027 (the current round opened May 2, 2025).

Not legal or tax advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.

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Homebook Funding Helper

This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.

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