Ambition Accelerator Dates, Prizes, Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria

KEY DATES 

• Program Launch: May 3 
• Application Period: May 3-July 21 
• Early Entry Deadline: June 1 
• Final Entry Deadline - July 21
• Ambition Accelerator Summit: November 3-6, 2022 

PRIZES & BENEFITS 

Ambition Accelerator Early Entry Prize: Taco Bell and Ashoka will select six outstanding teams ("Stand-Outs") from those that apply by June 1, 2022 (11:59 PM EST), for a cash prize of $500. Additionally, all entries submitted by the early entry deadline will receive feedback to improve their application before the final deadline of July 21, 2022 (11:59 PM EST). Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be considered for an early entry award if they apply by the early entry deadline.

All Ambition Accelerator Applicants Will Receive:  

• An opportunity to articulate their project or idea 

• Invitations to virtual learning session(s) where applicants will deepen their changemaking skills, connect with like-minded young people, and receive guidance on the application process 

• Ashoka staff and Taco Bell employees' feedback on their entries

• Peer Review and feedback on their entries

Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Innovator” Quarter-Finalists (226) Will Receive:  

• $500 Cash Prize

• Opportunity to receive additional feedback on their projects  

Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Ambassador” Semi-Finalists (25) Will Receive:  

• $1,000 Cash Prize

• Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.*

• 5 Semi-finalists will also be selected to pitch their social idea at the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit. The additional benefits these 5 participants will receive are reflected below.

Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Leader” Finalists (4) Will Receive:   

• $10,000 Additional Cash Prize

• Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.*

• Formal recognition of their contributions to the broader movement on the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator website and social media platforms.

Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Champion" Grand Finalist (1) Will Receive:  

• $25,000 Additional Grand Prize

• Paid Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.*  

• Formal recognition of their contributions to the broader movement on the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator website and social media platforms.

*Airfare, lodging, and meals:

• Domestic roundtrip coach airfare for team and chaperone (if applicable). Team and chaperone to fly together. Flight to be booked by Challenge Partners.
•  Four (4) days and three (3) nights in one (1) shared room standard double occupancy hotel accommodations at hotel selected by Challenge Partners;  
• Ground transportation to and from the airport and hotel
• Meals during the summit

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

• Participants must be at least 16 at the time of application and not older than 26 by the end of the entry period.  

• Participants must be residents of the United States or US Territories.  

• Applicants can apply with a team member or as an Individual. 

• Applicants selected to participate in the Summit must bring a team member (Hint: Many successful ventures start by working with a peer. Sharing your idea or venture is important to understanding the potential impact of your solution. If you have not built a team yet, try starting by sharing your idea with a friend, coworker, peer, or classmate who could be a teammate and invite them to join you on your changemaking journey through the Ambition Accelerator!)  

• Limit one entry per person/team. 

• Submissions must be made by the leader/creator of the idea/venture. 

• Two participants of eligible ages (plus ONE chaperone if any participant is under 18) per winning team must be available to participate in the Ambition Accelerator Summit in Greater Los Angeles Area, CA [Thursday, November 3 – Sunday, November 6, 2022]. 

• Each team invited to the in-person Ambition Accelerator Summit, including chaperones, will be required to provide proof of a completed primary vaccination series against Covid-19. 

• The Ambition Accelerator organizing team will accept all vaccines approved by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) for travel to the US. Attendees are highly encouraged to receive a booster vaccination, if eligible. 

• Attendees who provide proof of a completed primary vaccination series must adhere to the following guideline: the final vaccine must be dated at least 14 days (about 2 weeks) prior to the first date of the event. 

• Taco Bell Corp. Employees that work at the Taco Bell Restaurant Support Center (RSC), All Employees and their immediate family of Ashoka, Yum!, Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. Taco Bell Corp., and participating advertising and promotional agencies directly involved in planning this Program are NOT eligible to apply or receive a prize through this program. 

• Taco Bell Restaurant team members ARE eligible to apply to the Ambition Accelerator (from corporate and franchise restaurants).  

 
EVALUATION CRITERIA 

The selection committee will be looking for young people with strong answers to questions about what your idea or project is, how it will work, and your story.

Remember, we are looking for innovative and creative ideas at all stages of development, which means it can be a new idea, or a fully baked one! Entries will be evaluated on the following criteria:  

Bold Changemaking: The applicant is interested in becoming a changemaker; someone who demonstrates empathy and thoughtfulness and is activating others as changemakers or continuing their changemaking journey. They are ready to turn their ambitions into action or are already taking steps to make a real difference in their communities.

Fueling Creativity: The applicant is challenging the norm, tackling a new challenge, or bringing a unique perspective to an existing problem, while fueling a culture of changemaking in their communities and beyond. 

Ambitious Commitment: The applicant is ready to stick to their project and to make a lasting impact. The applicant has a plan to grow their idea or venture and is determined to disrupt existing systems and lead the change they want to see in the world.  

Igniting Connections: The applicant is focused on making a difference in a community that is close to them and their experiences.  The applicant shares why this issue is important to them and why solving this problem is important to their community. 

DATA PROTECTION 

Applicants' entries will be published on the application platform and accessible by the public. We have identified the sections of your application that will be displayed publicly by using the label “Public." Please do not enter any information in these sections that you do not wish to become public.  

We will also share entry information with Ashoka network reviewers for evaluating and processing the applications as marked in the application form. For more information about how Taco Bell and Ashoka will use and share your data, please see the Terms and Conditions here, in the attachments on the right side of the challenge page, or when you fill out your application. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS 

Review the full Terms and Conditions or more information about the program, including participation, intellectual property, prize money, use of the information you submit as a result of your participation in the program, and more in the attachments on the right side of the page, or when you fill out your application.