2026 – Coming soon

Plans are underway for our 2026 Student Challenge! Read more about our 2025 Challenge with BMO and our 2024 Challenge with Walmart Canada.

If you’re interested in this year’s Challenge, sign up for updates below. We anticipate opening applications in January 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an engineer, medical, or business student to participate?  

Prior knowledge about systems thinking or expertise in mental health or wellbeing is not necessary. We welcome diverse perspectives and fresh ideas from students across all disciplines. 

Can I apply as an individual?

We only accept applications from teams. If you haven’t built a team yet, visit this Miro board to connect with other individuals looking to form a team.

Can I form a team of students from different programs or schools? 

Yes, diversity among your team is encouraged – this can include members from different programs, degree levels, and/or schools across Canada.

When will my team know if we’ve been selected to participate? 

After applications close on Sunday, October 20 at 11:59PM, our team will review each one and assess your team’s readiness to develop solutions to complex issues. We anticipate providing an update on the status of your application no later than Friday, October 25. 

How much time should I plan to commit to the 2025 Systems Innovation Challenge? 

You should plan to commit up to 5 hours per week to participate in the Challenge. We ask that you attend all sessions listed under Program Dates, and if selected, be willing to travel to Toronto, ON for the in-person studio session.

Can I re-apply if I was not selected to participate or didn’t move past the Nurture Stage in 2024? 

Yes! Re-applications from past applicants and participants who didn’t move past the Nurture Stage are welcome. Please mention this in your application.  

Is this a case competition? 

No, this isn’t another case competition. Innovation North’s Studio endeavours to be a highly collaborative, creative, and playful space that will develop novel, actionable ideas to tackle real-world complex challenges. 

Where can I learn about last year’s Challenge?

Visit this page to learn more about the 2024 Systems Innovation Challenge, which was powered by Walmart Canada.

How many teams are selected to move from the Nurture Stage to the Navigate Stage?

At the end of the Nurture Stage your team will submit a final deliverable that will be evaluated against a set of criteria provided during the workshops. Approximately 10 to 15 teams will advance to the Navigate stage, depending on the quality of the submissions. 

Still have questions?

Contact the program team at: innovationnorthstudio@ivey.ca.