Application Form

Two questions have been developed to help the Impact and Innovation Unit with the pre-screening of applications. Applicants will be assessed on their responses to the questions contained in this application form.

Note: The use of generative AI software (e.g. ChatGPT) to complete any part of this assessment process is strictly prohibited.

Intake Question 1

In which of the following scenarios would the use of a challenge prize not be recommended?

A. Your department is exploring options to help forecast coastal salmon populations through the integration of environmental data and is looking to engage with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry, a sector they have not had any interaction with in the past. Your preliminary research shows that there is currently little involvement from this sector in conservation efforts, but that there are a number of AI players who are developing solutions that address similar issues and that face similar barriers to advancement. The department’s primary goal is to engage with a multitude of players whose solutions in development could further support this initiative in the future.

B. You have been asked to consider how to help a federal government department develop options for approaching better tracking of seafood products from fish-to-plate. This department has a clear vision for what the solutions should be, as well as a specific set of requirements for the solutions. As you undertake your research to understand the problem and current solutions and barriers, you discover that there are several promising technologies being developed by Canadian start-ups that could meet the Department's needs for an improved tracking system.

C. The government has established new regulations on open banking in order to accelerate the provision of novel and accessible financial services in Canada. Your preliminary research shows that it is difficult for new providers to enter this sector and provide competitive services, and that government incentives and support at an early stage, and throughout the testing and scaling stages, is necessary for this new market to develop.

• A
• B
• C
• Both A and B
• None

Intake Question 2

Describe a challenge-prize (or other challenge approach) that you think has been effective in advancing outcomes on an important societal issue.

What is the problem the challenge is trying to solve? Why was a challenge-prize approach used? What are the conditions that you think made it successful?

Please focus your response not on describing challenge details, but on analyzing challenge problem area, challenge rationale and design elements that contributed to outcomes.

Produce a short note (maximum 250 words) describing the elements above.