2025 AFRL Challenge Competition
April 21-25, 2025
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate, in conjunction with the Griffiss Institute (GI), is excited to sponsor the 16th Annual Challenge Competition as one of our joint STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiatives.
This competition serves as a way for students to utilize their math and science skills for real world problems that AFRL personnel are researching. The winners of the competition will be awarded varying prizes in the form of cash contributions to a New York 529 account. The Challenge Competition will begin Monday, April 21, 2025, at 8:00am at the Griffiss Institute located inside the Innovare Advancement Center, 592 Hangar Road, and end on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Each school team will consist of a teacher and two students. It is up to each school to select the teacher and students who will be participating. Only one team per school is allowed to participate. The students selected must be 16 years of age or older at the time of the competition and must be US citizens. Additionally, each teacher and student team will need to provide their own transportation to the GI.
The teams will receive the challenge problem upon arrival on the first day and will have four days to work on it. AFRL Information Directorate engineers and scientists will be available to answer questions regarding the challenge problem throughout the week. We are requesting each student bring their own laptop with wireless internet capability. If, however, the student does not have access to a laptop, the GI will provide a computer to be used on-site.Â
All teachers will be paid a stipend for their participation ($260 per 8-hour day or $1300 per week). The student prizes range from $2,000 per student for first place and $250 per student for 8th place.
The Griffiss Institute will provide a continental breakfast, lunch and snacks each day. Please notify us of any dietary restrictions as soon as possible.
Judging will occur on Friday, April 25, 2025 followed by a catered luncheon and awards ceremony.
This is a great opportunity for your school to partner with the AFRL Information Directorate and the Griffiss Institute. Participation will be limited to the first 8 teams who register (other schools will be put on a waiting list). If your school wishes to compete, please register using the form below!
2024 Challenge Competition Gallery
Hear from 2024's Winner
Quick Links
Questions?
ContactÂ
ristem@griffissinstitute.org