Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge (Conrad Challenge) is a not-for-profit, 501c(3) multi-phase, business plan competition that promotes contextual learning, 21st century skills, education, innovation and entrepreneurship; and fosters students’ abilities to apply these skills to create a sustainable world for this and future generations. The Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge brings together a dynamic community of innovators and entrepreneurs driving a collaborative movement to develop extraordinary and viable solutions to benefit our world in one of four areas: Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, and Health & Nutrition. Teams compete for a chance to be named Pete Conrad Scholars as well as seed grants, prizes, scholarships, patent support and opportunities to grow their solution into a real business. The Conrad Challenge offers two academic levels of competition: secondary and post-secondary (university students and university-age military). Founded in 2008 by Nancy Conrad, the Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge honors her late husband, naval aviator and astronaut, Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr.’s passion for education, entrepreneurship, and innovation.