Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders Today
ChallengeUS is an award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit providing educational opportunities to elevate student voices on world issues through global competitions and scholarship prizes.
Our Mission
01
Engage Youth Voices
Engage and elevate student voices on critical civic issues, thereby effectively crowdsourcing fresh perspectives and ideas from the next generation of leaders
02
Provide Opportunities
Provide students with competitive yet educational opportunities to demonstrate their skills and ideas across a wide range of disciplines
03
Support Students
Spotlight and support future leaders through scholarship prizes, awards and public recognition
04
Build a Network
Build a vast, global network of student leaders that transcends across borders, backgrounds and politics
Climate Cardinals x ChallengeUS
Future Leaders
Competition
Summer 2025
Climate Cardinals x ChallengeUS Competition Now Open!
Following our most successful competition cycle to date this past summer, ChallengeUS and Climate Cardinals are teaming up to present the Climate Cardinals x ChallengeUS Future Leaders Competition. Opening on November 10th and closing on January 16th, this iteration of the competition intentionally opens the same day COP30 begins and is centered around the theme of climate action.
ChallengeUS Named to Carnegie Young Leaders
ChallengeUS is proud to announce that the Institute for Citizens and Scholars has selected ChallengeUS for the inaugural Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness fellowship, joining 500 promising young changemakers from 27 states who are committed to strengthening their communities and democracy.
ChallengeUS at the United Nations!
This past September 2024, ChallengeUS had the honor of being invited to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City for the Summit of the Future. Alongside hundreds of other young, civic-minded leaders from all over the world, our team had the opportunity to be in conversation with, learn from, and network with world leaders, leading academics, and other influential leaders in public service.
Our Partners
Hear what Youth are saying about ChallengeUS
Testimonials
ChallengeUS empowered me to turn ideas into action. Being part of a space where young voices are not only heard but valued gave me the confidence to speak up and make an impact.
William L. | USA
ChallengeUS pushed me to dig deeper than I ever thought possible... I‘m so grateful that ChallengeUS provided a platform where young voices can envision the change we want to see in the world.
Xinyuan W. | China
ChallengeUS gave me a platform to express ideas that matter. It wasn’t just a competition—it was a chance to be heard and to connect with others passionate about solving global challenges. I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity.
Carolina M. | Peru
I loved how ChallengeUS made it easy for young people like me to pitch in ideas and actually feel heard. It’s rare to find platforms that genuinely value youth input, and this experience has motivated me to stay active in community projects.
Simon K. | Zambia
Young voices are catalysts for change, and I'm so grateful to the ChallengeUS team for giving us the opportunity to share our voices and contribute to this important conversation.
Krishma C. | Canada
ChallengeUS is taking great initiative towards youth empowerment on a global scale... After participating in just one competition, I feel more motivated to aim higher in school and working on impact in general. Great work being done!
Mahnoor J. | Pakistan
Participating in the ChallengeUS competition helped me uncover a passion for writing that I didn’t realize I had... I am truly grateful for this platform, which has opened my eyes to new possibilities and personal growth.
Tshireletso T. | South Africa
ChallengeUS was a fantastic opportunity to test my abilities and learn from other participants. The competition provided an inspiring environment for creativity and critical thinking, and I am grateful for this opportunity, which has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Rahimi M. | Morocco
ChallengeUS gave me the opportunity to test myself, to process thoughts and considerations that, although already part of me, I had not yet had the chance to put in order properly, and most importantly, to have fun in doing so.
