In recognition of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, the U.S. Department of Education is proud to launch Stage 1 of the Future Finder Challenge, a $1 million challenge to reimagine career navigation for adult learners. The Department’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) invites innovators to build digital tools that better support adult learners as they launch and advance their careers.
"Too many working people have been unable to gain entry into today's fast-growing fields because our adult education programs have not kept up with the pace of technological change in our economy. To build a more equitable and inclusive economy we must raise the bar for adult education in the United States and give learners of all ages the tools and opportunities they need to level up their skills and climb the economic ladder. Our Future Finder Challenge is about encouraging innovation and the creation of tools that help adult learners better navigate the workforce and take advantage of career opportunities in today's most in-demand fields."
— Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education
Enter the $1 million challenge by December 15
Eligible entrants — including teams of strategists, app developers, user-centered designers, and educators — are invited to submit prototypes for digital tools by 6:00 p.m. ET on December 15, 2022. The online submission should outline how the proposed digital tool will be designed to improve adult learners’ career navigation outcomes, such as increased self-awareness, career knowledge, confidence, and/or job attainment in high-quality, in-demand occupations and high-growth industries.
“Developing digital career navigation tools for adult learners will expand equitable access to career opportunities — which will increase upward mobility and strengthen the broader American workforce. Through the Future Finder Challenge, we’re using open innovation to invest in the adult edtech ecosystem, driving greater collaboration between adult learners and developers, educators, and employers.”
— Amy Loyd, Ed.L.D., Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
Learn more: Register for the October 13 virtual information session
To learn more about the Future Finder Challenge, register for the virtual information session on October 13. The Department will give an in-depth overview of the challenge and answer questions during a live Q&A.
What comes next: Finalists to receive exclusive access to virtual support
An independent judging panel will recommend up to five finalists to receive at least $50,000 each and progress into Stage 2, which will run from spring to fall 2023. During the second stage, finalists will participate in a virtual accelerator, receiving exclusive access to virtual resources, mentorship from experts, and other support to help them build and test their tools. Conditions permitting, the accelerator will kick off with an in-person boot camp and culminate in a live demo day.
The Stage 2 judging panel will review the submitted proposals and recommend one grand-prize winner to receive $500,000 and up to two runners-up to receive a share of at least $250,000. The Future Finder Challenge will support winners into 2024 as they deploy their solutions across the adult ed ecosystem.
When adult learners thrive, employers gain access to diverse, skilled talent pools — and their communities prosper. To learn more, visit FutureFinderChallenge.com and subscribe to the challenge newsletter.