Challenge StepForward: Essential Innovation Challenge

How can innovative solutions and programs equip youth aged 18–24 with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate an AI-powered future?

Closed
Deadline to Submit:
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Presented with
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Timeline

  • Applications Open

    January 12, 2026 11:00am EST
  • Solution Deadline

    February 6, 2026 11:59pm EST
  • Screening & Reviews

    February 9, 2026 9:00am EST - February 20, 2026 5:00pm EST
  • Finalists Selected

    February 23, 2026 9:00am EST - February 27, 2026 5:00pm EST
  • Finalist Interviews

    March 2, 2026 9:00am EST - March 6, 2026 5:00pm EST
  • Announcement of Winners

    April 14, 2026 12:00pm EDT
  • Demo Day

    June 3, 2026 9:00am EDT

Judging Criteria

  • Challenge Alignment: The solution addresses the Challenge and addresses one or more Challenge dimensions.
  • Potential for Impact: The planned solution implementation has the potential to impact the intended population.
  • Feasibility: The team has a realistic, practical plan for implementing the solution, and it is feasible in the given context.
  • Innovative Approach: The solution includes a new technology, a new application of technology, a new business model, or a new process for solving the Challenge.
  • Human-Centered Design: The solution is designed with and for communities who face structural barriers to education, and the solution team demonstrates that they have the experience, relationships, data, and knowledge to develop and deliver a successful solution.
  • Scalability: The solution has a plan for financial viability and the potential to be scaled to affect the lives of more people.
  • Partnership Potential: The applicant clearly explains how the solution would benefit from some of the resources that the Solve and S&P Global Foundation community is positioned to provide.
  • Technical Feasibility: If the underlying technology is novel, the applicant has provided convincing evidence that it has been built and functions as they claim it does.

Solutions

Selected

FuturHer AI Literacy Program

By She Code Africa Team
Benedict Okolie
Selected

Urdu AI

By Urdu Ai
Qaisar Roonjha
Selected

Cap ou pas Cap? French Edition

By Jessica Terry
Jessica Terry
Selected

AI Learning Ecosystem

By NavGurukul
Abhishek Gupta
Selected

NClude

By NClude Team
NClude Team
Selected

South SE Leapfrog: AI Entry

By Elias Shuchleib
Elias Shuchleib

Grant Advisory Committee

Alexandra Dimitrijevic

Alexandra Dimitrijevic

S&P Global, Global Head of Research & Development
Vivien Cheah

Vivien Cheah

S&P Global, Malaysia Site Lead
Gio  Marc Domingo

Gio Marc Domingo

S&P Global, Learning Program Manager
Carlo Janairo

Carlo Janairo

S&P Global, Learning Program Manager
Lakshmana Kumar Kothapalli

Lakshmana Kumar Kothapalli

S&P Global, Vice President of Engineering, AI & Innovation
Jake Yang

Jake Yang

S&P Global, Chief Technology Officer, S&P Global Energy
Jessica Ganguly

Jessica Ganguly

S&P Global, Sr. Learning Program Manager
Muddsur Afzal

Muddsur Afzal

S&P Global, Workplace Sentiment Partner
Peter Licursi

Peter Licursi

Kensho Technologies, S&P Global, Chief Strategy Officer
Beth Evans

Beth Evans

S&P Global, VP, Upstream Regional Insights, S&P Global Energy CERA
Brenda Sznycer

Brenda Sznycer

S&P Global, Enterprise Learning - Education Lead
María Pérez Cavallazzi

María Pérez Cavallazzi

S&P Global, Latin America Region Head and Head of Latin America Sales – S&P Global Ratings
Nilam Patel

Nilam Patel

S&P Global, Managing Director, India Operations
Jimbo Borja

Jimbo Borja

S&P Global, S&P Global, Philippines Site Lead
Jamie Brazell

Jamie Brazell

S&P Global, Head of Enterprise Learning Program Management & Delivery
Joe Farhat

Joe Farhat

S&P Global, Regional Director - Market Intelligence
Alexandre Birry

Alexandre Birry

S&P Global, Global Head of Credit Research - S&P Global Ratings
Ezzat Eid

Ezzat Eid

S&P Global, Managing Director, Saudi RHQ
Andrew Innes

Andrew Innes

S&P Global, Global R&D, Chapter Lead - S&P Dow Jones Indices
Frank Tarsillo

Frank Tarsillo

S&P Global, Chief Technology Officer, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Jimmy Larios

Jimmy Larios

S&P Global, Head of Business Operations & Finance, Kensho
Pash Reddy

Pash Reddy

S&P Global, Head of Energy Learning
Roland Schumacher

Roland Schumacher

S&P Global, Head of Partnerships, CCO