Grand Challenges Scholars
The University of Delaware joined former President Barack Obama in affirming a commitment to tackle the “Grand Challenges” of our day. And that's what the Grand Challenges Scholars Program sets out to do. To equip the next generation of engineers to take on today's most pressing issues, like:
- Making solar energy cost-competitive with coal
- Creating better medicines
- Providing clean water for the nearly billion people who lack it
- Ending extreme poverty and hunger
- Securing cyberspace
- Advancing personalized learning tools to deliver widespread education
Technology is nothing. What's important is that you have a faith in people, that they're basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they'll do wonderful things with them.
Technology is nothing. What's important is that you have a faith in people, that they're basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they'll do wonderful things with them.
How to Apply
The fall 2023 application for Grand Challenges Scholars is currently closed. Students admitted to an engineering major at UD will be able to apply for fall 2024 beginning in December 2023.
Program Highlights
The Grand Challenges Scholars Program is designed to provide UD engineering students like you with the opportunity to engage in the most pressing societal concerns of our time like healthcare, security, sustainability and quality of life.
A Four-Year Experience
As a UD GCSP Scholar you will engage in coursework and experiential opportunities that integrate five core educational components:
- Element 1: Hands-on project or research experience
- Element 2: Interdisciplinary Curriculum
- Element 3: Entrepreneurship
- Element 4: Global Dimension
- Element 5: Service Learning
Specialized Coursework
You will have the opportunity to participate in entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary courses, such as:
- ANTH 382 - Anthropology and Business
- CISC 356 - Intellectual Property in the Digital Age
- ECON 350 - Economics of Entrepreneurship
- ENTR/BUAD 352 - Business Launchpad: Turning Ideas into Successful Companies
- LEAD 300 - Leadership, Creativity, and Innovation
Resources
The Grand Challenges Scholars Program is administered by UD’s College of Engineering. Here, world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities and well-established internships provide the tools and experiences of an unparalleled education. Cross-disciplinary training programs, collaborative research opportunities and problem-based scholarship ensure graduates are highly skilled, well trained and focused on making the world a better place for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grand Challenges is open to first-year students admitted to any major within the College of Engineering.
Admitted students can access the essay prompts to apply through their My Blue Hen Home student portal. Students may apply to multiple programs, but will only be admitted to one.