We’re Looking for Ideas from Young Changemakers!
You see problems every day – in your classroom, community, and the world. You have solutions. Share your ideas for change and join young people all over the world who are taking action! Whether you have an idea to create change and want to take your first step or are already working on a project, apply to the Time for Change Youth Challenge and win a prize to help you take action!
Educators, join your students on this journey. Bring the Time for Change Youth Challenge into your classroom and support young people as they generate new ideas that can make a big impact in their worlds. If you are a K-8 student or supporting a K-8 student, please note that you MUST apply through an adult's account; you will not be able to open an account as a K-8 student.
Have a question or want help? Check out our section Information and Support. To receive updates on the Challenge or to get more information about becoming a First Book member, sign up here.
Check out some resources to get started and to find support along the way!
Timeline
- August 15th
-
The Challenge is officially open!
- November 13th
-
Get Started Prize Deadline (11:59 PM ET / 8:59 PM PT)
- January 30th
-
Final Deadline (11:59 PM ET / 8:59 PM PT)
- March
-
Winners Announcement
Prize Package
The Get Started Prize is awarded to every eligible applicant who applies by November 13th, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET so you can take your next step right away! You’ll receive a $50 gift card to move your idea or project forward. All applicants who meet this deadline are still eligible for the grants awarded after the final deadline of January 30th, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The final prizes awarded for this year’s Time for Change Youth Challenge are given in the following categories: K-5th grade, 6th-7th grade, and 8th-12th grade. 15 winning students will be awarded $1,000 grants to spark their changemaking journey, and two Grand Prize-winning students will be awarded $5,000 grants to move forward with their idea!
The Get Started Prize is awarded to every eligible applicant who applies by November 13th, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET so you can take your next step right away! You’ll receive a $50 gift card to move your idea or project forward. All applicants who meet this deadline are still eligible for the grants awarded after the final deadline of January 30th, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The final prizes awarded for this year’s Time for Change Youth Challenge are given in the following categories: K-5th grade, 6th-7th grade, and 8th-12th grade. 15 winning students will be awarded $1,000 grants to spark their changemaking journey, and two Grand Prize-winning students will be awarded $5,000 grants to move forward with their idea!
Eligibility
Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Participant School
-
Applicants must be enrolled at a Title I-eligible, Tribal, or Military Base school.
Please note that your school does not have to have Title 1 status, it has to be Title 1 eligible. If you're not sure about your school, you should ask your school administration if your school is "Title 1 eligible." Your teachers may or may not know, but your school administration will know.
- Participant Grade Level
-
Individuals and teams of youth in grades K-12 are eligible to apply.
- Residency
-
Applicants must currently reside in the United States or one of its territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
- Youth Leadership
-
The applicant must submit a youth-led idea.
If the applicant is applying on behalf of an entire classroom, it must be indicated on the application.
Each applicant can only apply with one initiative. Adult allies who are using their account for young people to apply can use their account for several applications, considering each student is only part of one of these applications.
- 2023 Winners/Finalists
-
Winners of the Time for Change Youth Challenge 2023 are not eligible to apply.
Finalists of the Time for Change Youth Challenge 2023 are eligible to apply.
If you are not sure whether you were a winner or finalist, you can check for your name on the list of winners and on the list of finalists.
- Language
-
Applications must be submitted in English.
- Affiliation
-
Employees (and their children, grandchildren, and siblings) of Ashoka, First Book, and Audemars Piguet or any of their respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies are NOT eligible to apply to the Time for Change Youth Challenge.
If you are a K-8 student or supporting a K-8 student, please note that you MUST apply through an adult's account; you will not be able to open an account as a K-8 student.
Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Participant School
-
Applicants must be enrolled at a Title I-eligible, Tribal, or Military Base school.
Please note that your school does not have to have Title 1 status, it has to be Title 1 eligible. If you're not sure about your school, you should ask your school administration if your school is "Title 1 eligible." Your teachers may or may not know, but your school administration will know.
- Participant Grade Level
-
Individuals and teams of youth in grades K-12 are eligible to apply.
- Residency
-
Applicants must currently reside in the United States or one of its territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
- Youth Leadership
-
The applicant must submit a youth-led idea.
If the applicant is applying on behalf of an entire classroom, it must be indicated on the application.
Each applicant can only apply with one initiative. Adult allies who are using their account for young people to apply can use their account for several applications, considering each student is only part of one of these applications.
- 2023 Winners/Finalists
-
Winners of the Time for Change Youth Challenge 2023 are not eligible to apply.
Finalists of the Time for Change Youth Challenge 2023 are eligible to apply.
If you are not sure whether you were a winner or finalist, you can check for your name on the list of winners and on the list of finalists.
- Language
-
Applications must be submitted in English.
- Affiliation
-
Employees (and their children, grandchildren, and siblings) of Ashoka, First Book, and Audemars Piguet or any of their respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies are NOT eligible to apply to the Time for Change Youth Challenge.
If you are a K-8 student or supporting a K-8 student, please note that you MUST apply through an adult's account; you will not be able to open an account as a K-8 student.
Evaluation Criteria
Changemaker Identity
You are a Changemaker! You have an idea that you think can make a real difference in your class, your community, and the world.
Creativity
Whether your idea is new to your school, community, or state, you’re using creative thinking to tackle a problem in a different way.
Ready to Take
Action
You have a clear understanding of a problem you want to address and you’re ready to take your next step. You have a plan for the first 3 steps you want to take.
Connection
You have identified a problem in your school or community that you feel connected to, and you’re interested in working with other people to solve it.
Resources & Support
We want to make sure you have everything you need to apply! Students and educators should take a look at the guides, activities, live sessions, and options to contact us by clicking on the buttons below. Make sure to check out the recording below for a walk-through of the Challenge and some other information to help you submit a strong application!
Curious about last year’s Finalists and Winners? Want some inspiration and insights? Check them out here!
Resources & Support
We want to make sure you have everything you need to apply! Students and educators should take a look at the guides, activities, live sessions, and options to contact us by clicking on the buttons below. Make sure to check out the recording below for a walk-through of the Challenge and some other information to help you submit a strong application!
Curious about last year’s Finalists and Winners? Want some inspiration and insights? Check them out here!
Have an idea to change your community?
Click “Apply Here” below to create an account and start your application.
Have questions? Check out our FAQ here or visit our Support page here. Still have questions? You can email us at [email protected] or sign up here for updates about the Time for Change Youth Challenge. You can also contact us on Instagram @ashokachangemakers.
First Book educators can text CHANGE to 89304 for updates about the Time for Change Youth Challenge and additional changemaking resources. Youth participants (13 and older) can text CHANGEMAKER to (571) 622-1066 for application reminders and support. You can find our Terms and Conditions here.
The Time for Change Youth Challenge is a collaboration of First Book and Ashoka designed to spark transformative changemaking journeys in young people. Our work is made possible by Audemars Piguet. Challenge participants must be students enrolled at a Title I-eligible, Tribal, or Military Base school.