WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launches the contest phase of the Countering Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Campus Challenge—a technology contest where students can submit new ideas and innovative ways to end modern slavery at www.challengeslavery.org.

The contest will be open from November 28, 2012 to January 8, 2013.  USAID will award one first place prize of $5,000 to the top entry, and $2,500 to one or more runner-up entries. Additionally, winners will be invited to showcase and discuss their ideas with USAID and various implementing and donor partners.  The contest asks students to address how technology can be part of a potential solution to the various challenges related to CTIP, whether concerning slavery in product supply chains, trafficking in conflict and crisis-affected areas, child sex tourism, building a global CTIP movement, ending forced child labor, countering the business model of TIP or raising awareness among potential victims.

USAID seeks submissions from university students and groups of university students from all over the world. The entry can be a 5-minute video, a website, or a concept paper that outlines an idea for harnessing technology and innovation to develop creative solutions to prevent human trafficking, enable victims to escape from traffickers, and assist survivors. 

Entries may address adaptation of technology for new use or could involve a concept for developing new technology. After the submission period closes on January 8, students can vote for the best entries via the online platform at www.challengeslavery.org.

The top ideas will be submitted to a panel of judges composed of USAID, Campus Challenge partners, as well as technology and general development advisors. The panel will judge submissions based on impact, feasibility and innovation. The winners will be announced in February 2013.