An annual innovation challenge for students, faculty, and staff to develop creative solutions that incorporate spaces, technologies, equipment or digital platforms from the @CRX ecosystem to address a new challenge theme each year
Experiment@CRX
Transform ideas into impact.
Discover. Connect. Create.
2026–2027 Challenge
Reimagine the uOttawa experience
How can we create new opportunities for people to learn, connect, create, discover and thrive at uOttawa?
This year's challenge invites you to propose creative solutions that enhance the uOttawa experience in new and meaningful ways. Projects could range from new ways to discover campus resources and opportunities, to immersive learning experiences, interactive exhibits, tools that foster connection and community, and much more.
Open to students, faculty and staff.
Grand Prize : $2,500
Why Participate?
Experiment@CRX provides access to unique resources across the @CRX ecosystem and encourages participants to work in teams to transform innovative ideas into meaningful projects.
Bring your idea to life
Transform your idea into a project that creates value for teaching, learning, research or campus life.
Collaborate across the uOttawa community
Build a team of students, faculty and staff from across the University, or work on your own.
Access innovative spaces, technologies and equipment
Selected projects gain access to innovative spaces, specialized equipment and emerging technologies across the @CRX ecosystem. Check out Explore@CRX to learn more about what's available.
Receive expert guidance
Selected projects will receive up to 10 hours of structured mentoring and guidance from specialists across INNOVA, the uOttawa Library and Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL).
Share your work and gain recognition
Share your project with the uOttawa community. Winning projects will be highlighted as examples of innovation across the University, and the top project will receive the $2,500 grand prize.
Your innovation journey
Experiment@CRX guides you from your first information session through to the grand finale with a structured innovation process designed to turn ideas into projects with impact.
Information session
Sept. 22, Sept. 29 or Oct. 6: Attend one session (see below to register) to learn about the challenge, participation process and available resources.
Speed dating with experts
Week of Oct. 19: Meet experts and refine your idea.
Proposal pitch
Submit your proposal (Nov. 3), then present it at a Dragon's Den-style event (week of Nov. 9).
Qualifying round results
Week of Nov. 16: Up to 10 projects move forward.
Mentoring and guidance
Nov. to Feb.: Receive up to 10 hours of structured mentoring and guidance.
Project presentations (semi-finals)
Week of Mar. 1: Present your project at a Dragon's Den-style event.
Finalists announced
Week of Mar. 8: Up to three projects move forward.
Grand finale and awards
September 2027: Celebrate the finalists and compete for the $2,500 grand prize.
Ready to enter?
Whether you’re exploring your first idea or preparing your proposal, these resources will help you take the next step.
Register for an information session
Choose the session that works best for you. All information sessions cover the same content, so you only need to attend one.
Register for speed dating
Meet one-on-one with specialists before submitting your proposal.
Book time with an expert
Available only for projects selected following the November qualifying round. Book mentoring sessions with specialists across the @CRX ecosystem as part of your 10 hours of structured mentoring and guidance.
Want to complete a project for course credit instead?
SLICCs (Self-Directed Learning, Innovation and Community Connections) is Career Development and Experiential Learning’s pathway for self-directed projects, available exclusively to students.
If you’d prefer to complete a self-directed innovation project for academic credit instead of participating in the Experiment@CRX challenge, explore the SLICCs program.
