Challenge Background

The FAA is sponsoring the FAA Challenge – Smart Airport Student Competition to recognize students with the ability to demonstrate innovative thinking focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of smart technology in and around the airport environment while enhancing the overall traveling experience.

The FAA is using this competition to:

• stimulate and advance innovation in aviation research;
• promote the development of a robust aviation workforce to support a growing and evolving aerospace system;
• develop a pipeline to fill current and projected shortages via partnerships with academia and industry;
• and drive a passion for aviation in today’s youth of all ages and backgrounds.

The FAA intends to incentivize university level students at accredited United States-based colleges and universities to think creatively in developing solutions to transportation technology challenges while addressing the human factors aspects of the traveler’s experience, and to share those innovations with the broader community.

The FAA is sponsoring the competition under authority of the FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS), 49 U.S.C. 106(l) and (m).

Timeline

Submissions: The FAA Challenge competition will begin and submissions will be accepted between September 16, 2019 and 11:59 PM ET January 13, 2020.

Expression of Interest: Teams are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to compete in this FAA Challenge by 11:59 PM ET October 16, 2019.

Finalist Announcement: A panel of FAA judges will conduct an evaluation and select three finalist teams, which will be announced by March 2020.

Demonstration and Awards: Finalist teams will be invited to New Jersey to demonstrate their concepts in May of 2020. A $25,000 award will be given to the lead university of the winning team

For more information about this Challenge, please contact:  faachallenge@nianet.org