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Circular Economy Grand Challenge


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Circular Economy Grand Challenge


THE CHALLENGE

The University of Newcastle’s Grand Challenge is an annual initiative aimed at encouraging multi-disciplinary teams to propose and develop potential solutions to complex challenges. The most compelling submissions will share in $30,000 in funds to advance their idea.

This year, the Grand Challenge will focus on a complex problem with both local and global significance – the concept of circular economy: minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency.

Proposals are required to provide a response to the following challenge statement:

How might we assist key stakeholders, such as suppliers, partners and consumers, transition to circular economy practices to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency and to achieve net zero goals?

Share in over $30,000 of funding to the winners!

WHY CIRCULAR ECONOMY?

A Circular Economy moves away from the traditional "take-make-dispose" model, instead emphasising the continuous use of resources by designing products for reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling. It seeks to reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and maximise resource efficiency, creating closed-loop systems that extend the life of products and materials.

The University of Newcastle has a particular interest in Circular Economy principles, to reduce it's own carbon emissions in line with the Moving Toward Net Zero, outlined in it's 2025 Strategy.

By helping stakeholders, such as suppliers, partners and consumers transition to circular economy practices, we aim to enhance transparency, accountability and ultimately drive emissions reductions across the economy.

It’s about holding companies accountable for their environmental performance.  

WHAT IS A GRAND CHALLENGE?

We are bringing together multidisciplinary minds to explore accessible solutions to ultimately improve emissions reporting for our community.

The Grand Challenge is a series of events designed to build a robust solution to a specific problem. In this challenge, the University of Newcastle is seeking new and innovative solutions that empower organisations to transition to circular economy practices to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.

During the Grand Challenge, you have the opportunity to hear from industry experts about the problem of emissions reporting and then form interdisciplinary teams with other participants. Your team will research more into the problem and will begin to develop your idea or solution with support at our optional events. We have innovation mentors available to support your submission throughout.

Successful teams will receive up to $10,000 in funding to develop and test prototypes within a 6-month period.

The judges will outline your solutions’ merits according to the marking criteria and award the funding on the Awards Night.

READY TO LEARN MORE?

EXPERTS


EXPERTS


 

OUR EXPERTS

TUE 29 JUL, 4PM, i2N HUB HONEYSUCKLE

 

dR JOHN MACKENZIE

Research Consultant
Institute for Regional Futures

Samantha bourke

Circular Economy Lead
Circular Economy Living Lab

Thomas Michel

Co-Founder
The Full Circle Collective

Event Schedule


Event Schedule


 EVENT SCHEDULE

These events are designed to support you on your innovation journey.

Whilst attendance at these events is not compulsory, we encourage you to attend as many as possible to build your connections, understanding and solution.

STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP
Thu 18 Sep 3-5pm
I2N Hub Honeysuckle
Registration Coming Soon

PITCH WORKSHOP
Thu 25 Sep 4-6pm
I2N Hub Honeysuckle
Registration Coming Soon

FINAL SUBMISSION
Wed 08 Oct 5PM
Online Video Submission
Link Coming Soon

AWARDS NIGHT
Wed 22 Oct 5:30-8:30pm
I2N Hub Honeysuckle
Registration Coming Soon

INFORMATION SESSION
Wed 11 Jun 10-11:AM
Online
Watch the recording

EXPERT PANEL SESSION
Tue 29 Jul 4-6PM
I2N Hub Honeysuckle
Register Here

TEAM FORMATION
Tue 12 Aug 4-6PM
I2N Hub Honeysuckle
Register Here

1st Round Applications
Thu, 28 Aug 5PM
Online Application
Link Coming Soon

HAVE A QUESTION?

Watch the Information Session here.

See the most commonly asked questions here.

See the Terms & Conditions here.

See an extensive list of the latest resources here.

Book a consultation session with an innovation expert here.

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Thank You To Our Judges & Partners


Thank You To Our Judges & Partners


OUR JUDGES

Professor Alex Zelinsky AO
Vice Chancellor & President
The University of Newcastle

Siobhan Curran
Acting Director, Knowledge Exchange and Entrepreneurship
The University of Newcastle

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS