FAQs

Download the Idea Submission Form in PDF format.

You can print this form, fill out, and drop it off in person at:

1790 Tanana Loop

Bunnell Building, Suite 201

Fairbanks, AK 99775

(Office closes at 5:00 p.m.)

You can also fax the form to (907) 474-5219.

We must receive all idea submission forms no later than Friday, March 3, 2023.

Anyone who has innovative ideas and is eager to share with others can join the competition. More information can be found an the Eligibility Page.

This is an idea contest but inventions are also welcome.

Ideas should solve a problem, resolve an unmet need, or improve on an existing product.

The Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization services are only available to UA faculty, staff, and students, though we're happy to chat with community members and direct them to other available resources. The Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization is the stop for any student, staff, or faculty interested in moving their ideas and innovations into beneficial applications with societal impacts. We provide support and answer questions on the process for patenting and licensing inventions. We also provide services to help you further innovate and test ideas or inventions through Alaska Center ICE. Please direct any questions to uaf-oipc@alaska.edu or call us at (907) 474-2605, we are here to serve you!

The UAF Arctic Innovation Competition honors the confidentiality of all participants’ concepts. Submissions will not be released or copied for any purposes other than reviewing by vetted AIC panelists. The judges also recognize the sensitivity of the materials being presented. Moreover, all participants, reviewers, judges, and committee members are informed that the following is prohibited: Utilizing for commercial gain any material provided to the University of Alaska Fairbanks specifically and restrictively for educational purposes without prior permission of the provider. As members of the Arctic Innovation Competition, all participants, judges, and committee members should consider themselves bound by this code. 

Any data or information discussed or divulged in public sessions by entrants should be considered information that could possibly enter the public realm, and entrants should not assume any right of confidentiality in any data or information discussed, divulged, or presented in these sessions. 

The deadline for submission is at 11:59 pm on Friday, March 3, 2023. The final competition will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023; additional details about this event will be released when they are available.

Yes, you can continue editing your submission after you have submitted it, up until the competition deadline (see above).

There is no limitation on the number of ideas you can submit.

There is no limit on the number of team members. However, only four team members can present at the final competition.

There is no cost for registration or to submit an idea. You will responsible for your own travel costs if you are selected to present at the final competition. However, a limited number of travel grants will be available, based on need.

If you're selected as a finalist, you'll need to present your idea in person at the final competition. This exciting event will take place at the 8-Star Event Center in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Saturday, April 19, 2025. We can’t wait to see your creativity shine on stage! For those who may need assistance traveling to Fairbanks, a limited number of travel grants will be available based on need.