Deadline: February 27, 2026
The Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026 is a national innovation and pitch competition created to inspire, support, and reward bold ideas from young people across the United States. Open to students in grades K–12, this challenge empowers children and teenagers to share creative solutions to real-world problems and compete for a share of $1,000,000 in total cash prizes.
The Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026 focuses on encouraging creativity, entrepreneurship, and confidence among young learners, regardless of their background or learning environment.
About the Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026
The Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026 is a U.S.-based youth innovation competition funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and powered by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), in collaboration with partner organisations.
The challenge invites young people to think critically about problems they see around them and propose innovative ideas that could improve lives, communities, or systems. Ideas may be business-focused, socially driven, or creatively innovative, as long as they demonstrate clear thinking and purpose.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
Applicants must meet the following requirements to participate in the Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026:
- Students in grades K–12, or within the K–12 age range by the application deadline
- Residents of the United States, including all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Learners from any educational setting, including:
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Charter schools
- Homeschool programmes
- Online schools
- Youth or after-school programmes
The competition is inclusive and designed to reach young innovators from diverse educational and social backgrounds.
How to Apply
Applying to the Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026 is straightforward and youth-friendly.
Application Steps
- Develop an Idea
Participants identify a problem they care about and propose a creative solution. Ideas may focus on business innovation, products, services, or social impact. - Create a Pitch Video
Applicants record a 30–90 second video explaining:- The problem
- Their idea or solution
- Why the idea matters
- Submit the Application
Entries can be submitted by individuals or teams of up to three participants.
Application Deadline
- 27 February 2026
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Competition Categories
Participants may submit ideas under different challenge tracks, including:
- Business Challenge – Ideas focused on creating new businesses, products, or services
- Social Challenge – Ideas aimed at solving social or community problems
Each submission is reviewed based on creativity, clarity, and the strength of the proposed solution.
Prizes and Benefits
The Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026 will award $1,000,000 in total cash prizes, distributed across different stages of the competition.
Benefits include:
- Cash prizes for selected winners
- National recognition for innovative ideas
- Opportunities to develop pitching and problem-solving skills
- Coaching and support for finalists
Final Event and Celebration
Selected finalists will be invited to a live pitch and celebration event scheduled for June 2026 in Flint, Michigan.
At this event, finalists will:
- Receive additional guidance to refine their ideas
- Present their pitches in front of judges and a live audience
- Compete for final prize awards
Key Dates at a Glance
- Application Deadline: 27 February 2026
- Finalists Selection: Spring 2026
- Live Pitch & Celebration Event: June 2026 (Flint, Michigan)
Why the Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026 Matters
The Mott Million Dollar Challenge 2026 is more than a competition. It is a platform that helps young people:
- Build confidence in their ideas
- Strengthen entrepreneurial and critical-thinking skills
- Learn how to communicate solutions clearly
- Gain early exposure to innovation and leadership
By placing real resources behind youth ideas, the challenge sends a powerful message: young voices matter, and big ideas can come from anyone.
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