Innovation Jam Eligibility

The Regional Innovation Jam welcomes all aspiring innovators to participate in this dynamic, hands-on experience. Everyone is encouraged to collaborate, learn, and compete for local prizes. 

Eligible participants include:

• Current community college, undergraduate, or graduate students (who have completed at least 12 credit hours in the most recent academic year at any Oregon college or university)

• Alumni who graduated within the past 12 months from an Oregon college or university

• High school students who have completed at least 12 dual-enrollment or early college credits

• Community members, entrepreneurs, or founders interested in innovation and regional impact

• Mentors, judges, faculty, facilitators, staff and organizers offering guidance and support

**All participants are eligible to compete for local cash prizes. However, only teams meeting InventOR eligibility criteria may advance to the statewide InventOR Collegiate Challenge.

Advancing to the InventOR Bootcamp & Finals

To advance to the InventOR Bootcamp & Finals, teams must meet the following criteria:

• Include at least two members

• Have at least one team member currently enrolled at an Oregon college or university, or alumni graduated within the last 12 months

• Present a physical representation (prototype, model, or device) that demonstrates clear social or environmental impact

• 2026 InventOR - Rules & Eligibility

**Top teams from each represented school meeting these requirements will receive an invitation to advance to the InventOR Bootcamp & Finals, where they’ll receive additional funding, mentorship, and compete for statewide recognition and prizes.

**Second-place teams may be invited to compete in a Wild Card Round for another chance to join the InventOR program. (TBD)