Submission Requirement and Awards
Watch the video: Let's Make Light Competition 2023
In this video podcast, Salamatu Sani, discussing about participation criteria for the Let's Make Light Competition 2023
For all tracks, entries should include all or most of the following:
- The design process: how did you approach the problem
- The design: solution description from start to finish, processes, procedures, flowcharts, drawings, schematics, mind maps, any visual representation of your description
- Analytical results: circuit simulation, manufacturing flowchart, distribution map, financial analysis, and anything that justifies and validates critical aspects of your proposed solution
- Demonstration of a direct connection and consultation with the communities to be served
For each track, scores will be based on the extent to which the following goals are achieved. Detailed scoring criteria are included in the contest rules document.
- Track 1: Environmentally Sustainable Technology
Historical examples of light sources developed in and for aid programs have not been successful due to loss of functionality and short lifetimes. Hence, this track is for modified existing, or novel technologies for fabrication of light sources, including ideas for sustainable local manufacturing of the specific light source or luminaire. Projects will be judged based on the extent to which they meet ideals of customer interaction, sustainability (i.e., fits in a circular economy), light quality, usability, functionality, affordability, energy efficiency, and envisioned manufacturing attributes.
- Track 2: Sustainably Local Business
Many aid programs have not been successful beyond the duration of the program end date. A sustainable light source also needs a real (non-aid) business model to support it. Hence, this track is for demonstrating ideas of novel, or modified existing business models that enable such light systems to thrive locally. Projects will be judged based on the extent to which they meet ideals of self-sustainability, customer interaction, and calculation of breakeven point.
- Track 3: Self-Sustaining Market Expansion
Even if both the product and the business model are sustainable, the market is still large (940 million people without electricity worldwide) and varied between different countries and cultures. It is a challenge even to get in contact with remote end-users. And if one establishes contact, the end-user has limited funds for purchasing the lighting product. This track is for demonstrating the planned success of the product and business model under such expanded market conditions. Projects will be judged based on the extent to which they meet ideals of customer interaction, sustainability, value chain, and marketing.
Awards
Watch the video: Let's Make Light Competition 2023 AWARDS
In this video podcast, Salamatu Sani, discussing about awards for Let's Make Light Competition 2023
Entries will be awarded prizes in the submitted track in which they rank the highest (one award per submission) if judges deem entries to be of sufficient quality. For each track, there will be 3 prizes, each one assigned to one selected winning team, as follows:
- 1st Prize: US$3,000 monetary prize for the winners (split equality between team members), and US$4,000 as reimbursement for expenses budgeted beforehand for the continuation of the project, a trophy (medal), and a certificate for each team member. Support for team members participation in an IEEE co-sponsored event (travel reimbursement up to US$2,000 per team)
- 2nd Prize: US$2,000 monetary prize for the winners (split equality between team members), a trophy (medal), and a certificate for each team member.
- 3rd Prize: US$1,000 monetary prize for the winners (split equality between team members), a trophy (medal), and a certificate for each team member.
In addition, all winning team members will receive a 1-year membership in the IEEE for 2024.
For the 1st prize winners, a budget of US$4,000 will be made available through the IEEE foundation or IEEE Smart Village for supporting the winning team and shall be used for developing further activities aligned with the scope of the competition, and/or for student stipends for the winning team members, with exclusion of company creation (start-up, spinoff, etc.). A plan for using the monetary award must be part of the original application and the awarded amount has to be sent within the 12 months starting January 1st year N+1 (N=year of the prize winner announcement). After that period any unused, or unjustified, part of the budget is returned to the Society.