The University of Missouri System engagement office and Missouri AfterSchool Network are excited to announce the creation of a collaborative research pitch competition with $25,000 in prizes available to support the creation or expansion of research projects focused on youth development and well-being. This competition is part of the UM System’s 2023 Extension and Engagement Week.

To encourage statewide collaboration, research teams must have representation from at least two UM System universities or MU Extension, and at least one community partner.

Individuals interested in participating but in need of collaborators should send an overview of their area of interest and any relevant information to Nate Addington, UMKC director of community engagement and outreach, at naddington@umkc.edu. Program directors will make all reasonable efforts to pair you with additional team members.

After an initial screening process, four finalist teams will be invited to participate in an in-person pitch competition at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Columbia, Missouri. Pitches must not exceed 10 minutes in length and cannot include the use of visual aids or audio-visual components.

For more information or to apply, visit the Youth Development Collaborative Research Pitch Competition website. Interested research teams must submit a short application by Monday, Sept. 25.