The MIT Public Service Center involves the entire MIT community – students, faculty, staff, alumni – and community organizations in supporting life changing initiatives and ventures that deliver real benefits to communities and individuals, from life-saving technologies to improved education systems, and much more.
The IDEAS Competition is one of several PSC programs that help to advance this mission. Now in its 10th year, the IDEAS Competition funds 6-8 teams of undergrad and grad students each year through awards of $5000, $7500, and $10,000 to implement their projects over one year.
Since 2002 when IDEAS made its first award, 64 teams have received more than $260,000 to implement their innovative service projects, and gone on to secure more than $3.2million in follow-on funding.
In 2011 the Institute will celebrate 150 years of service to the world. We’ll also celebrate 10 years of IDEAS support to MIT students.
Traditionally, IDEAS has primarily served MIT students. Through the Global Challenge we’re creating specific and exciting ways alumni, faculty, staff and collaborators can be involved.
The IDEAS Competition has always benefited from close collaboration with groups across the Institute, including the D-Lab series of course, the International Development Initiative, Sloan Entrepreneurs for International Development, and course like 2.009. In 2010-2011 we are working in close partnership with the MIT150 and the Alumni association to launch IDEAS2011 and the MIT Global Challenge.
The increased popularity of social media utilities like Facebook and Twitter greatly extend our capacity to tell our story and keep community members involved. The Global Challenge platform will support these services.
The IDEAS Competition turns on key events throughout the year. In 2011 we’re looking to crack these open to the worldwide MIT community through online communication and engagement mechanisms. Stay tuned!
Here’s a rough sketch of our timeline…
Associated with these “windows” and key events, we have “thick” and “thin” – or direct and indirect – modes of interaction with a growing community. Here are some of our targets. First, the “thick” – deep levels of touch and engagement at face-to-face events and meaningful, personalized relationships online.
“Thin” target include activities like registration sign-ups, voting, etc…