Social Impact Challenge

Pitch Your Vision. Ignite Social Change.

Social Impact Challenge

Pitch Your Vision. Ignite Social Change.

We’re ready to fund your impact.
 
The Moritz Center for Societal Impact invites UT Austin graduate students to apply for the SIC: Social Impact Challenge—a pitch competition supporting community-driven, interdisciplinary projects. Pitch your idea to improve mental or behavioral health through the arts and humanities.

Meet the 2026 SIC Finalist Teams

Lights, Camera, Action

Ellen Alley, Communication & Media Studies 2027
Karissa Hernandez, Communication Studies 2027

Creative Calm

Dylan Robinson, School of Social Work 2027
Danny Espinosa, College of Liberal Arts 2027

Historias que Resuelven Problemas

Denise Minte de Almeida, College of Education 2028
María Paula Yávar Calderón, School of Social Work 2027
Daniela Muñoz Villareal, School of Social Work 2028

Access in Performance: The UT Audio Description Pilot

Madison Jackson, School of Music 2028
Beatrice Huang, School of Music 2029

Place to Belong

Xiaoya Geng, School of Social Work 2029
Hailing Wong, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences 2029
Maria E Cardenas, School of Social Work 2029
Yeonjeong Seo, School of Social Work 2028

Join us on September 15th to see these 5 times compete for $5,000 in funding!

From Vision to Impact

Start with SIC

Beginning in 2025, the Social Impact Challenge has encouraged graduate students to develop community-driven projects. The Moritz Center supports participants by providing expert mentorship and guidance, culminating in a live pitch competition where students can win $5,000 to bring their ideas to life.

Learn About Last Year’s Cohort

About the Challenge

The projects in the Social Impact Challenge address behavioral health challenges by integrating the arts and humanities. They explore innovative, impact-driven approaches that use creative expression to support mental health and well-being. By working with a community partner, these projects highlight how the arts and humanities can play a powerful role in advancing more rounded and holistic solutions.

The Social Impact Challenge is open to all UT Graduate students. Out of all applicants five teams will be selected to present their pitches.

Student teams selected to present at the final competition will receive expert mentorship from a UT Austin faculty member in the lead-up to their pitch. The Moritz Center will match each team with a mentor. Throughout the preparation process, mentors will provide guidance, feedback, and support to help teams refine and strengthen their ideas.

Two student teams will be selected by a panel of judges to receive $5,000 each. The winning teams work with the Moritz Center in fund distribution.

Application Requirements – Applications are now closed

  • Input team member info
  • Confirm availability
  • Provide project overview, ~200 words
  • Outline project goals and timeline, ~500 words
  • Share how you’d use the prize funds.
  • Click submit!

Interested in learning more?

VIEW OUR VIRTUAL INFO SESSION

Review our slides and/or recording to learn more about the Social Impact Challenge, including who’s eligible to apply, how the application process works, key deadlines to keep in mind, and what to expect from the mentorship experience.

Download PowerPoint Slides

Important Dates – SIC 2026

April 15
Application OPens
mAy 134:00 Pm
Virtual Info Session
June 30
Application closes
August
Mentor Meetings
September 15
Pitch Competition!!
May 2027
Conclusion of Funded projects