Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge 2027

The 2027 Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge is a global virtual innovation experience powered by Pactful and the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education at the University of San Diego. Student teams explore a real-world problem, research affected people and communities, ideate solutions, build and test a prototype, and submit a final video pitch. Educators, mentors, parents, or program leaders register on behalf of student teams, while optional online pitch clinics provide live feedback before final submission.

Students must be ages 13–18 and may participate from anywhere in the world. An adult aged 18 or older — a teacher, mentor, coach, parent, or program leader — must register and guide the student team. A Google account is required to create the Pactful account used for the challenge.

The registering adult completes the official JTIC27 registration form and sets up a Pactful class. Student teams work through the design-thinking process and submit a final project consisting of a completed submission form and a video pitch, recommended at 5–6 minutes, showing the problem, research, solution or prototype, testing, and potential impact.