About the Innovation Challenge
Ingenious+ is a national youth innovation challenge with a strong regional and community focus. The goal is to give students aged 14 to 18 the opportunity to innovate for good, and to share their strategies to address problems at home, across Canada, and around the world.
Young innovators from across Canada can receive one of 300 Regional Awards of $1,000 each, along with access to mentorship, networking, and other learning opportunities.
Regional award recipients are also eligible to be considered for additional recognition:
- Up to 13 National Finalist Awards per region (an extra $1,000 each)
- Five National Awards (one in each category), with winners receiving $10,000 and customized mentorship from leading Canadian innovators
We are using a broad and inclusive definition of innovation; it’s something different that has impact. It might be improving upon or innovating a product, service, or process, or creating something new that solves a problem or makes the world a better place.
We are inviting Canadian youth to Innovate for Good. Any topic within the following themes is acceptable:
- Community and Civic Engagement
- Climate Change and the Environment
- Equity and Inclusion
- Health and Well-being
- Technology and Entrepreneurship
Ideally, your project should be advanced beyond the idea or concept stage and have demonstrated that you’ve put the solution into action. Projects do not have to be full-fledged innovations, commercialized or have the ability to monetize, e.g., social or community innovations may have different valuable impacts.
The theme for Ingenious+ is Innovate for Good. Applicants, can apply for one or more of these categories:
Community and Civic Engagement
- Innovating for a better country: Your innovation works for the common good by addressing community issues through civic action that strengthens the world locally and beyond.
Climate Change and the Environment
- Innovating for a green future: Your innovation helps in the fight against climate change, promotes sustainability, and/or benefits the environment.
Equity and Inclusion
- Innovating for a fair and just tomorrow: your innovation focuses on improving the world around you by removing barriers and promoting equity.
Health and Well-being
- Innovating to heal: your innovation addresses the challenges facing the physical or mental health of the public.
Technology and Entrepreneurship
- Innovate to grow: your innovation finds new and improved ways of addressing today’s many challenges through a business venture, technology and/or artificial intelligence.
Eligibility, Process & Key Dates
No. There is no financial obligation or financial requirement to participate.
To be eligible to enter, you must:
- Be between 14 and 18 years old (you must have turned 14 but not yet turned 19 at the time of entry)
- Have the permission of a parent or legal guardian if you are under the age of majority in your province or territory
- Ensure your innovation project is led and created by youth
- Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
- Request an account:
Start by creating your Ingenious+ account through the application portal. - Submit your innovation:
Complete your application and share details about your project, idea, or innovation. - Adjudication: Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts.
- Regional awards: Regional winners are celebrated at ceremonies across the country.
- National spotlight: Finalists and National Winners are recognized on a national stage during Canadian Innovation Week in May 2026.
- Mentorship: Winners gain access to mentors and learning opportunities to help grow their innovations.
Request an account in the Application Portal.
When you request an account, our team will review your request during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. ET). Once approved, you’ll receive login credentials by email.
Please note it may take a few days to receive your credentials depending on the busy season. If you request an account during the holiday closure (December 19 to January 5), you’ll receive access once offices reopen.
Innovations projects can be submitted: Submissions will be accepted from December 1st 2025 to January 23rd, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Consent and Release Form
Yes. All applicants must sign a release form to be eligible for Ingenious+.
After you submit your application through the portal, you and your team members will each receive an email the following day with a release form. If the entrants (including team members) are under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence, the parent or guardian of each individual will also receive a copy to sign. Each individual form must be completed for your application to remain eligible.
Application Portal
Yes. All students must have an Ingenious+ account created before they can submit their innovation.
If you are applying individually, you will need to request an Ingenious+ account. Once your account request is approved by the Rideau Hall Foundation, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log in to the application portal and complete your submission.
If you are applying as a team, only the team lead needs to request and have an account approved. The team lead will then add the other team members’ information directly in the application form.
Please note that account approvals take place during business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday to Friday) and may take up to 72 hours.
Account approvals are completed by the Rideau Hall Foundation during regular business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday to Friday).
Once you submit your account request, please allow up to 72 hours for your account to be created and approved.
You will receive an email notification as soon as your account is ready, along with instructions on how to log in and begin your application.
Important: You must have an approved account in order to submit your innovation.
Please do not wait until the last minute to create your account.
If you forget your password, use the reset option in the portal. For other technical issues, please email ingeniousplus@rhf-frh.ca.
Awards
Awards are issued by electronic funds transfer (EFT) to the youth innovator(s) after all release forms have been signed and banking information is provided. If you do not have a bank account, a cheque will be issued instead.
Yes. You can apply as a team of up to 4 members. If your team is selected, the cash award will be divided equally among all team members.
Applications accepted between December 1, 2025 and January 23, 2026.
Regional award recipients are announced in Spring 2026. National award recipients are announced in June 2026.
