Innovation for Impact – Master's Student Project Award 2026
OpenSustainable Growth Initiative and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative, Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University
Deadline
March 2, 2026 (6:00 PM EST)
Prize
CA$5,000
Format
Hybrid
Case Type
Sustainability / ESG / Entrepreneurship
About This Competition
About the Award
The Innovation for Impact Master's Student Project Award 2026 invites students to further develop course projects and learning experiences into innovative solutions with tangible and positive impact.
Organized by the Sustainable Growth Initiative and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative, this award encourages both profit-oriented and non-profit initiatives aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance principles.
Projects may focus on areas such as climate change, financial inclusion, governance, fraud prevention, equal opportunities, democratization, or other impactful innovations.
Project Types
Profit-Oriented Projects
Projects identifying a market need and proposing an innovative product or service that generates financial returns while delivering positive societal or environmental impact.
Non-Profit Projects
Projects primarily focused on creating measurable social, environmental, or governance impact without profit as the main objective.
Timeline
- March 2, 2026 (6:00 PM EST)Stage 1: Application submission deadline (3 slides + cover letter)
- March 5, 2026Stage 1: Notification of selected teams (~5 teams advance)
- March 16, 2026Stage 2: Supporting materials due (up to 10 pages)
- March 20, 2026Finals: 10-minute presentations + Q&A at Dobson Centre
- March 20, 2026Winner announcement and networking reception
Competition Structure
Stage 1 – Application Submission
Deadline: March 2, 2026 (6:00 PM EST)
Submit:
- Three slides outlining innovative impact and proposed solution
- Cover letter (max 150 words)
Email submission to: katrin.tinn@mcgill.ca
Subject line: Innovation4Impact Award – Masters – Team [Your Team Name]
Approximately 5 teams will be selected to advance.
Notification: March 5, 2026
Stage 2 – Supporting Materials
Deadline: March 16, 2026
- Up to 10 pages of supporting material
- Recommended use of Business Value Canvas or Social Impact Business Model Canvas
- Optional supporting market data
Finals
Date: March 20, 2026
Location: Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship
- 10-minute presentation
- 10-minute Q&A
- Jury includes faculty, private sector leaders, and venture capital experts
- Networking reception following winner announcement
Judging Criteria
Projects will be evaluated on:
- Innovation and Creativity – Originality and uniqueness of the solution
- Impact – Potential for positive social, environmental, or governance outcomes
- Feasibility – Practicality and viability of implementation
- Sustainability and Scalability – Long-term potential and growth opportunities
- Measurable Value – Financial valuation or societal benefit quantification
Competition Partners
Awards
Total Award Budget
Prize distribution announced at Finals
Eligibility Requirements
- Open to Master's (MMA, MMF, MMR) and MBA students at Desautels during Academic Year 2025–2026
- Teams of 3–5 students
- Teams may include students from other McGill faculties, but at least one member must be from a Desautels Master's or MBA program
- Each student may participate in no more than 2 applications
- Projects are encouraged to originate from Master's coursework
- Must demonstrate innovation, originality, and feasible real-world application