Lung Cancer Innovation Challenge
Driving creative, scalable solutions to improve lung cancer screening access and outcomes across the nation.
Innovate, compete, save lives
The ALCSI Lung Cancer Innovation Challenge is an international competition for middle and high school students. Participants develop and carry out projects to increase awareness of lung cancer and improve screening and early detection.
Projects can focus on medical innovation, policy, advocacy, or community education. Students work with mentors, report their impact, and may be selected to present at the ALCSI Summit in Boston.
Apply to Compete
Challenge Process
From submission to showcase, the Innovation Challenge is designed to elevate the best ideas into action.
Submit
Students participate individually or as a team, register for the challenge, and submit a one-page project proposal. See the current guidelines for deadlines and required approvals.
Review
Projects are evaluated on innovation, impact, scalability, cost, and subject knowledge, using the published competition rubric.
Present
Finalists pitch their ideas live at the annual ALCSI Lung Cancer Summit to a panel of judges and attendees.
Win
The challenge offers first, second, and third place prizes of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,000. Selected finalists present their projects at the ALCSI Summit.
Evaluation Criteria
Impact Potential
How many people could this solution reach? Does it address a real gap in screening access or awareness?
Feasibility
Can the project be carried out with the resources available? Consider cost, scalability, and the practical steps needed to reach your community.
Innovation
Does this proposal offer a genuinely new approach? Does it leverage technology, policy, or community networks in a novel way?