Alaska Community Challenge

University of Alaska students complete hundreds of projects each year as part of degree programs that require capstone projects and student research. Alaskan companies, startups, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and UA faculty and students are invited to share with students your challenge or problem that you think would be an educational student project, valuable to have completed, and help share the resources of the university across the state. Since students typically spend their fall and spring semesters working on projects, it is important that challenges be available by the end of August so that students can contact sponsors for more information.

What’s a good project? Typical projects should be appropriate for a fall semester for scoping, literature review, project proposal development, and data collection. The spring semester typically focuses on project execution, reporting, and presentations. However, some projects or students may not be on this schedule.

Some ideas may be used in whole or in part. Projects might include researching and analyzing community data, designing and prototyping a physical device, developing and testing computer code, or developing an app. Students from across all academic areas, from basic to applied fields, may be available to assist the community.

Ideas are no longer being collected here. Generally, if you have a challenge, we can help you identify potential programs and faculty who might be interested and an appropriate fit for the project scope. 

Students who work on a project will be following the administrative and academic requirements of their faculty advisors or instructor for the class. For an idea to be used in whole or in part, it must fit within the academic requirements of the project or research outcomes and be approved by the student’s faculty advisor or instructor. You will be expected to provide the student(s) with guidance on the project; your financial sponsorship may be helpful. The OIPC or the student’s departments may have some funding to support projects.

Student project scope and outcomes are ultimately directed solely by the student’s faculty. Intellectual property developed through the project should be discussed with the students, and the University may have some rights to the work if there is no prior agreement and if university resources are used to complete the project. OPIC can assist with these discussions.

Please email Ky Holland at kyholland@akv3.com or call 907-727-2735 with any questions. You can also contact the UAF Center ICE to explain your project and request assistance.

Additional University Resources for Community Engagement

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University programs that support student research projects

UAF Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity – UAF’s resource for the development and promotion of experiential learning activities that engage undergraduate students to support UAF’s goal to become a leading student-focused research university. Undergraduate research and creative activity at UAF covers all disciplines, from climate sciences to music, engineering, anthropology, life sciences, and theater.

UAS Undergraduate Research, Experiential & Creative Activities (URECA) – Provides opportunities for UAS-enrolled students to engage in extra-curricular research and creative activities that complement and expand upon traditional classroom learning.

UAA Center for Community Engagement & Learning – The Center for Community Engagement & Learning (CCEL) serves as the intersection of student learning, faculty research and creative activity, and community engagement.

UAF Honors College – The UAF Honors Program provides opportunities for students to pursue excellence in academic and personal development. We foster critical and independent thinking and help students become informed, responsible, and active citizens.

UAA Honors College – The University Honors College at the University of Alaska Anchorage advances, coordinates, and administers active learning and undergraduate research opportunities for students across the campus.

UAF Community Engagement and Clinical Support – The Community Engagement and Clinical Support Core facilitates and supports community ­based participatory research by drawing on local community knowledge and scientific expertise to implement and evaluate culturally valid and effective approaches to research in Alaska Native communities.