Student of the Year-Raise Award | Apply Online

Student of the Year-RAISE Award (FAA/DOT) FAQs

1) What is the Student of the Year-RAISE Award?

The Student of the Year-RAISE Award (Recognizing Aviation and Aerospace Innovation in Science and Engineering) is a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) challenge-style competition administered through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is intended to recognize and spotlight student-driven science and engineering innovations that could shape the future of aviation and aerospace.

2) Is this a traditional government grant program?

No. Although it may appear in some systems like a funding opportunity, it is described as an awards competition (a prize/challenge) rather than a traditional grant program. The notice lists an award ceiling of $0 and does not identify a cash award amount.

3) What authority allows DOT/FAA to run this competition?

The competition is run under the authority of the America COMPETES Act (15 U.S.C. 3719), which authorizes federal agencies to conduct prize and challenge competitions.

4) Where are the official rules posted?

Applicants are directed to the official challenge rules posted on Challenge.gov. The notice indicates that the detailed rules and requirements are contained there.

5) What competition cycle does this notice cover and what are the key dates?

This notice covers the fourth annual competition cycle, with an overall window from December 21, 2015 through April 8, 2016. Submissions are accepted and initially evaluated by the FAA in April 2016, and winner(s) are expected to be announced in May 2016.

6) Are there separate divisions for different student levels?

Yes. There are two divisions: (1) a high school division and (2) a university division. The university division includes both undergraduate and graduate students.

7) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents who meet the enrollment requirements for the applicable division.

8) What are the enrollment requirements for high school applicants?

High school applicants must have been enrolled for at least one semester (or quarter equivalent) during 2015 at a U.S. high school or an approved equivalent home school program.

9) What are the enrollment requirements for university applicants?

University applicants must have been enrolled for at least one semester (or quarter equivalent) during 2015 at a U.S.-based college or university.

10) Can students apply as a team, or is it individual-only?

Students may apply as individuals or as teams. If applying as a team, every team member must meet all eligibility requirements.

11) Is there an entry fee to participate?

No. The notice states there is no entry fee.

12) Are federal employees allowed to participate?

Participation restrictions apply. Applicants cannot be federal entities or federal employees acting within the scope of their employment. Additionally, DOT employees (including FAA employees) are not eligible to participate.

13) Does using federal facilities or consulting federal employees disqualify an applicant?

Not automatically. The rules clarify that using federal facilities or consulting federal employees does not automatically disqualify a competitor if those resources are offered equitably to all participants.

14) Is an expression of interest required before submitting?

No. The FAA strongly encourages, but does not require, a brief expression of interest.

15) When is the expression of interest due and what should it include?

The encouraged expression of interest is due by February 15, 2016. It is sent by email and includes candidate name(s), affiliated school(s), contact information, and a one-page abstract summarizing the proposed project at a high level.

16) When does the formal submission period open and when is the final deadline?

The submission period begins March 28, 2016. The final deadline is 11:59 pm Pacific Daylight Time on April 8, 2016.

17) How can submissions be delivered?

Submissions can be sent electronically by email. Hard copy submissions are also encouraged and are mailed to the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

18) How is deadline compliance determined for email vs. mail?

For mailed submissions, compliance is based on the postmark. For emailed submissions, compliance is based on the recipient timestamp.

19) What happens if a submission is lost or arrives late?

The FAA notes it is not responsible for lost or late entries. Applicants are expected to ensure their materials are submitted on time and in an acceptable manner.

20) What are the required components of the final submission package?

A complete final submission package includes: (1) at least one nomination letter, (2) a one-page overall innovation summary including the project title and a clear statement of potential impact on aviation or aerospace, (3) an academic transcript or certified grade report, and (4) the technical paper(s) plus any supporting materials describing the innovative concept.

21) Who can write the nomination letter?

The nomination letter must come from a teacher, advisor, or faculty member. For home-schooled students, a parent or legal guardian may serve this role.

22) What should the nomination letter address?

The letter should speak directly to the student(s) accomplishments, particularly the technical merit of the concept and evidence of professionalism and leadership. Examples mentioned include membership and roles in organizations, presentations, leadership in student professional activities, and community outreach.

23) Is there a page limit for the technical paper?

No. The notice states there is no page limit on the technical paper itself.

24) Can the FAA request additional documentation after submission?

Yes. After receipt, the FAA may request additional documentation or confirmations such as more detailed contacts, releases of liability, and authenticity statements to verify originality.

25) What if an applicant does not respond to a request for additional documentation?

Failure to respond on time to FAA requests for additional documentation or confirmations can lead to disqualification.

26) What do winners receive?

The award is primarily recognition-based. The winner's name and award date will be placed on a trophy displayed at the Department of Transportation, and a display copy of the trophy is sent to the winner's school. The winner (individual or team) also receives an additional plaque or trophy.

27) Is travel support available for winners?

Potentially. At the FAA Administrator's option, the agency may pay invitational travel expenses to Washington, DC for up to four representatives of a winning team to present their project to FAA and DOT leadership and receive the award in person.

28) How does the selection process work?

The FAA Centers for Excellence Program Director screens submissions for basic eligibility and completeness. Eligible submissions are evaluated by advisory panels that may include academic experts, government officials (including FAA and DOT), and private-sector representatives. Top entries are forwarded to the FAA Administrator, who recommends a winner to the Secretary of Transportation. The Secretary of Transportation makes the final decision.

29) Can DOT decide not to make an award?

Yes. DOT reserves the right to make no award in either division if no submission is judged to show sufficient innovative scientific and engineering potential or achievement.

30) Are projects judged only against others in the same division?

Yes. Submissions are judged within their division (high school entries against high school entries; university entries against university entries).

31) What criteria are used to judge submissions?

Judging criteria include technical merit, originality, impact, practicality, measurability, and applicability/scalability.

32) Which criterion is weighted most heavily?

Technical merit is weighted most heavily during screening. Reviewers look for a clear understanding of the problem, a logical and workable solution, the most significant aspects of the concept, and a well-described breadth of potential impact.

33) What does "originality" mean in this competition?

Originality focuses on how new or distinct the idea is and whether it was developed independently or collaboratively.

34) What does "impact" mean in this competition?

Impact assesses whether the project could substantially influence the future aviation/aerospace environment.

35) What does "practicality" mean in this competition?

Practicality considers who benefits from the idea, whether it can be implemented realistically, and what costs could be incurred or saved.

36) What does "measurability" mean in this competition?

Measurability looks for evidence that outcomes can be measured and that improvements are demonstrable.

37) What does "applicability/scalability" mean in this competition?

Applicability considers whether the effort can be scaled and whether it is relevant locally, regionally, or nationally.

38) Do applicants keep ownership of their submissions?

Yes. The notice indicates that submissions remain the property of the applicants.

39) What usage rights do applicants grant to FAA/DOT?

Entrants grant FAA/DOT (and partner federal agencies) permission to use names, likenesses, and submitted materials for promotional purposes in any media worldwide and in perpetuity without additional compensation.

40) Are there restrictions related to previously submitted work?

Yes. The rules emphasize that substantially similar entries to prior submissions may be disqualified, and entries cannot have been submitted in substantially similar form to prior federally sponsored contests.

41) What legal and administrative conditions apply to entrants?

Entrants must follow DOT rules, agree to indemnifications and waivers, ensure submissions are original and do not infringe others' rights, and confirm electronic files are free of malware.

42) Who are the listed points of contact?

The listed contacts for the competition are Patricia Watts, Ph.D. (FAA) and James Brough (FAA).