Dell Social Innovation Challenge -DSIC- With $140,000 (scholarship)

The Dell Social Innovation Challenge identifies and supports promising young social innovators who dedicate themselves to solving the world's most pressing problems with their transformative ideas. We provide university students with world-class teaching and training, as well as with start-up capital and access to a network of mentors and advisors.

History

Our challenge was launched in 2007 by the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. In 2008 Dell became our title sponsor, lending its name and resources. Dell announced a $5 million gift to expand our efforts worldwide at the close of the 2011 challenge to engage more than 60,000 students a year.

Awards

Since our launch, more than 15,000 students from 90 countries have proposed more than 3,000 ideas. We've awarded more than $350,000 to 13 student teams around the world. Each year we fly challenge Finalists and Expertise Award winners to Austin for a weekend of mentoring, workshops, and other activities as part of the DSIC Global Awards Event. Our Semi-Finalists are also matched with mentors for one-on-one coaching and feedback.

Expansion

In 2011, we offered five cash prizes totaling $100,000. The 2012 challenge will present 27 awards, more than $140,000 in cash prizes and more than $500,000 worth of in-kind prizes. This expansion allows us to recognize the best projects from each stage of development, world region and social impact area. Additionally, our new challenge website will offer participants the tools and teachings they need to improve and advance their projects. It will also provide a platform for them to inspire us all to use our talents to change the world. With plans to grow to 20,000 entries each year by 2016, the DSIC promises to become the largest and most prestigious global competition for student social entrepreneurs.

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES

These are the Official Rules governing the Dell Social Innovation Challenge’s (“DSIC”) competitions that award cash prizes (the "Competition"). In these rules, "we," "our," and "us" refer to the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, the Sponsor of this Competition. "You" and "Yourself" refers to an eligible entrant.

COMPETITION DESCRIPTION

The DSIC identifies and supports promising young social innovators who dedicate themselves to solving the world’s most pressing social and environmental problems with their innovative ideas. The program provides university students interested in social innovation with world-class teaching and training, as well as start-up capital and access to a network of mentors and advisors.
We encourage you to carefully review the details for each Competition before registering or submitting an entry since each Competition may have unique eligibility requirements, methods of entry, content, and technical requirements.
These Official Rules govern all Competitions offered as part of the 2012 DSIC. If there are any inconsistencies between the clauses in these Official Rules, and the similar companion clause in Specific Competition Rules, these Official Rules will govern.

START AND END DATES

The 2012 DSIC’s competitions will begin in January 2012 and run through June 2012. The Overall Competition registration period starts on January 3, 2012. All other start and end dates vary and will be clearly stated within specific Competition details and are subject to change without notice.
The 2012 DSIC Finalists Weekend will take place in Austin, Texas, USA in June 2012.

WHO CAN ENTER PROJECTS

Unless otherwise indicated in the specific Competition Rules, you are eligible to enter if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

• You are 16 years of age or older; and
• If you are 16 years of age or older, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, then you should ask your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting an entry into this Competition.
• You are actively enrolled as a student at an accredited educational institution that grants college/university (or equivalent) degrees at any time between January 1, 2012 and May 31, 2012, or have graduated with a degree from an accredited educational institution in the fall semester of 2011; and
• You are not an employee or intern of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, Dell, Inc., or a Dell subsidiary; and
• You are not involved in any part of the execution or administration of this Competition; and
• You are not an immediate family member of (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of an RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service employee, an LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin employee, an employee of Dell, Inc., or an employee of a Dell subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Competition; and
• You are not a resident of any of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.

PLEASE NOTE: U.S. export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Therefore residents of these countries/regions are not eligible to participate.
If you have previously placed first in a DSIC Competition, you are not eligible to win that same Competition project phase again, but you may enter in the next project phase, e.g. if you placed first as a Pilot Project you could next enter and compete as a Scale Project, but not as a Pilot Project again.

PROJECT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION

If you are part of a project that advances to compete in the Semi-Final Round of the Grand Prize Competition, you will be required to verify your above eligibility (including enrollment status) in a form satisfactory to us before we will allow your project to advance to the next Round. We will not allow changes to project Teams after the completion of the Semi-Final Round of any Competition.
If, at any time after we verify your eligibility, you experience a change in status due to special circumstances such as acceptance of an internship or offer of employment from RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, The LBJ School of Public Affairs, Dell, Inc., a Dell subsidiary, or anyone else that is involved in the execution and administration of this Competition, you must contact us immediately and explain the circumstances. If you fail to notify us of a change in eligibility status, you may be disqualified.
This Competition is void outside the geographic area described above and wherever else prohibited by law.

TEAM VS. INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS

Teams are encouraged, but not required, to create and enter projects in the Competition.
If you enter more than one project in the Competition, either as an individual or as a member of a Team, and you and/or your Team is invited to compete in the Finalists Weekend in more than one Competition, you may only compete in one Competition at the Finalists Weekend. In other words, you will be required to choose one project in the Competition in which to compete at the Finalists Weekend. If you are competing as part of a Team, then the following additional rules and regulations apply:
The size of your project Team must not exceed the limits designated in the specific Competition Rules.
If you are competing for a People’s Choice Award in a World Region, at least one (1) of the project Team members must be a legal resident of the country/region the project is representing. The remaining project Team members do not need to be legal residents of the same country/region, but your project can only represent one (1) country.
Your project Team does not need to consist of members from the same academic institution.
An eligible student must create a new project and invite any team members to join that project. Each invited team member must accept the invitation during the designated sign up period in order to be a qualified member of that project team.
To participate in a Competition as a single individual, you must create a new project during the designated competition sign up period.
Once you create a project, or sign up as part of a project Team (or a Mentor for a project Team competing in the Grand Prize Awards) you cannot change project Teams, add Team members or yourself to a Team, or otherwise remove yourself or anyone else from your project Team after the close of the Semi-Final Round of that Competition.
If you are competing in the People’s Choice Awards, then there is only one round of competition.
If your project Team is invited to participate in the Finalist Weekend, we will provide travel and accommodations for up to two team members, and your Team must send at least one member to compete at the Finalist Weekend. If your project Team is unable to send at least one member for any reason, then we may disqualify your entire project and invite the next highest scoring project Team to participate.
Each Team is solely responsible for its own cooperation and teamwork. In no event will Sponsor officiate in any dispute regarding the conduct or cooperation of any Team or its members.

PROJECT SUBMISSION QUANTITIES

Project entry limits vary by Competition. Please see the specific Competition Rules for requirements.
We will disqualify any incomplete or illegible project entries. We are not responsible for projects that are not entered into competitions for any reason, or for project entries that are not viewable online for any reason.

GENERAL STANDARDS FOR PROJECT ENTRIES

The intent and spirit of the Competition is to test and help improve the social innovation skills of the student entrants. Anyone acting as a team Mentor, or in any mentorship role where allowed (for example, local, regional, or global sponsors), must limit the level of support provided to student entrants to general guidance and must not contribute in any way that may be considered original authorship, or in a way that may enable claims of rights or ownership to the submitted entries. In no event will work-on-behalf of teams or individuals be allowed.
To be eligible for judging an entry must meet the following general standards (in addition to any Competition-specific requirements or unless otherwise indicated in the specific Competition Rules):
All entry materials must be presented and/or submitted in the English language.
If you are required to make an oral presentation or provide supporting materials, these presentations and materials must be presented and/or submitted in the English language.
You are responsible for providing your own translator if you need one.
The content of your project entry and any supporting materials must be acceptable for all viewing audiences. We will automatically disqualify any entrant that submits any entry or supporting materials that contain text, sound or images that we, in our sole opinion and for any reason, find vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate for public viewing, or that presents us in a negative light.
By submitting a project entry in this Competition, you confirm that, to the best of your knowledge:

• Your entry meets the requirements set forth above and in the applicable specific Competition Rules; and
• The entirety of the entry is your/your team’s original work; and
• For Competitions that require a video entry, please note the video must be solely the work of the team, including but not limited to, the actual filming, editing, graphic design, etc. of the video.
• Your entry has not been selected as a past DSIC winner in your chosen Competition.
• You/your teams have obtained any and all consents, approvals, or licenses required for you to submit your entry; and

Important note about Copyright: Your team’s entire entry must only include material that you own or that you have permission from the copyright/trademark owner to use. Your team’s entry may not include copyrighted materials (such as background music, images or video) unless you own or have permission to use the materials. Ownership is not defined as purchasing a CD at a music store for replay or playing a copyright recording on your own instrument - your team’s entry will be disqualified if copyrighted materials, including but not limited to these examples, are a part of your entry without appropriate licensing or permissions. If you do use permissible copyrighted materials, you must include the permissions information by citing the artist/creator and license information as per the respective Competition Rules. Note: your team’s entry will be disqualified if permissions information is not included as per the requirements in the specific Competition Rules. 
We reserve the right to disqualify or reject any entry that we, in our sole and absolute discretion, determine does not meet the above criteria. If, in any Competition, we do not receive a sufficient number of entries meeting the entry requirements, we may, at our discretion, select fewer than the designated number of winners. The decisions of the judges are final and binding in all matters related to the Competition.

PRIZE CONDITIONS

Your odds of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received and the level of skill of each entrant.
All cash prizes are stated in US dollars, but we, or our local subsidiary or designated agent (on our behalf), may actually award a cash prize in the official currency of the winners country of residence based on the exchange rate on the date of payment. Unless otherwise indicated in the Specific Competition Rules, all cash prizes will be divided equally among all officially registered members of a Team.
If you are confirmed as a winner:

• You may not exchange non-cash prizes for cash or any other merchandise or services. However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value; and
• You may not designate someone else as the winner. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we may award it to the next highest scoring Team/entrant; and
• If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize; and
• If you are otherwise eligible, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, then we may award the prize to your parent/legal guardian on your behalf; and
• Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are subject to their manufacturer’s warranty and/or terms and conditions.
• Mentors of winning teams are not awarded any cash prizes in association with their participation in the DSIC.
• We are not responsible for any dispute regarding prize dispersal.

FINALIST TEAMS TRAVEL AWARD CONDITIONS

Up to two team members of each Finalist team will be awarded a trip to Austin, Texas USA to compete in the Finalists Weekend in June 2012. Trip includes round trip coach airfare from major airport closest to Competitor’s home, standard hotel accommodations, and select meals during the Finalists Weekend.
In addition to the general prize conditions described above, all travel awards are subject to the following conditions:

• Actual value of travel prize depends on date/time/destination, and difference between actual value and stated value will not be awarded in cash. Any expenses not explicitly listed herein, are the sole responsibility of the entrant.
• You are responsible for acquiring and providing all required travel documents, including, but not limited to any required Visa, passport, etc. along with any associated expenses
• If you live within 250 miles of the travel destination, we reserve the right to substitute alternate transportation for air travel.
• Event dates and location are subject to change at our sole discretion. Therefore, you must have flexible travel capabilities.
• If the Finalist Weekend event is cancelled for any reason, we shall have no further obligation to you.
• Travel is subject to availability and must be completed on dates specified by sponsor or the prize will be forfeited and awarded to the next highest scoring Team/entrant. Some restrictions may apply. No cancellation of reservation or transfer of reservation to another date after reservation has been made.

NOTIFICATIONS: If you/your Team is selected to advance in any Competition, we may notify you by sending a message to the e-mail address or mailing address (if any) you provided at time of sign up within the timelines designated in the specific Competition Rules.
If we require that you affirmatively accept an invitation to compete in a subsequent round of any Competition, and the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable for any reason, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may disqualify you and extend an invitation to the next highest scoring Team/entrant.
If there is a dispute as to the identity of a particular entrant, we will consider the entrant to be the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used register for the Competition.
If you are selected as a potential winner, we may require you to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release, a University of Texas Payee Information Form, and W-9 tax form (for U.S. residents) or W8-BEN tax form (for non-U.S. residents). If you are a potential winner and you meet the eligibility criteria for the Competition, but you are a minor in your place of residence, we may require your parent or legal guardian to sign all required forms on your behalf.
If you do not complete the required forms as instructed and/or return the required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select the next highest scoring Team/entrant.

PRIZE OBLIGATIONS

That, by accepting a prize, the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service may use your proper name and state of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Competition, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.
You agree to assist us and the Sponsors in the creation of case studies or white papers (together "Studies") detailing your entry or entries. Studies will not include any confidential participant information. Upon your approval of the Studies’ accuracy, you agree to give us and the Sponsors permission to display the Studies including trademarks, logos, and other identifying information contained therein, on our and the Sponsors websites and in other documentation. This documentation may take various forms, including printed materials, online articles, video, audio, and other digital recordings.

POTENTIAL USE OF PROJECT ENTRIES

Other than what is set forth below, we are not claiming any ownership rights to your project entry. However, by submitting your entry, you:

• Are granting us an irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide right and license to: (i) use, review, assess, test, and otherwise analyze your entry and all its content in connection with this Competition; and (ii) feature your entry and all its content in connection with the marketing, sale, or promotion of this Competition (including but not limited to internal and external presentations, tradeshows, and screen shots of the competition entry process in press releases) in all media (now known or later developed);
• Agree to sign any necessary documentation that may be required for us and our designees to make use of the rights you granted above;
• Understand and acknowledge that the Sponsor may have developed or commissioned materials similar or identical to your submission and you waive any claims you may have resulting from any similarities to your entry;
• Understand that we cannot control the incoming information you will disclose to our representatives in the course of entering, or what our representatives will remember about your entry. You also understand that we will not restrict work assignments of representatives who have had access to your entry. By entering this Competition, you agree that use of information in our representatives’ unaided memories in the development or deployment of our products or services does not create liability for us under this agreement or copyright or trade secret law;
• Understand that you will not receive any compensation or credit for use of your entry, other than what is described in these Official Rules.

Please note that your project entry will be viewed by visitors to DellChallenge.org and after the Competition is over may be posted on a website selected by us for viewing by visitors to that website. We are not responsible for any unauthorized use of your entry by visitors to this website. While we reserve these rights, we are not obligated to use your entry for any purpose, even if it has been selected as a winning entry.
If you do not want to grant us these rights to your entry, please do not enter this Competition.

CONDITIONS UPON ENTRY

By entering this Competition you agree:

• To abide by the Official Rules; and
• To release and hold harmless the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Competition or any prize won; and
• That RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Competition; and
• That, by accepting a prize, the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service may use your proper name and state, country, or region of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Competition, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

LAWS GOVERNING COMPETITION

This Competition will be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Texas for any disputes arising out of this Competition.

UNEXPECTED EVENTS

If someone cheats, or a virus, bug, bot, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and/or integrity of this Competition, we reserve the right to cancel, change, or suspend this Competition. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Competition, we reserve the right to select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Competition.
If you or your Team attempts to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Competition, or if we have reason to believe that you or your Team have compromised the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Competition by cheating, hacking, creating a bot or other automated program, or by committing fraud in any way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may disqualify you, and ban you from participating in any of our future Competitions, so please play fairly.

WINNERS NOTIFICATION

A full list of all winners will be published on DellChallenge.org following the close of each Competition round.

COMPETITION SPONSOR

The Organizer of this Competition is:
RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service
LBJ School of Public Affairs
University of Texas at Austin
P.O. Box Y
Austin, Texas USA 78713-8925

MORE DETAILS ON http://www.dellchallenge.org/about/about-dsic