Grand Challenges Scholars Program at NC State

Preparing a Generation to Tackle the Grand Challenges

Color photo of smiling students in classroom.

The National Academy of Engineering’s (NAE’s) list of 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st century is a call to action and a means of focusing society’s attention on opportunities and challenges affecting our quality of life.

The NAE commissioned the following aspirational vision for what engineering needs to deliver to all people on the planet in the 21st century:

The continuation of life on the planet, making our world more sustainable, secure, healthy, and joyful.

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14 Grand Challenges

With input from people around the world, an international group of leading technological thinkers were asked to identify the Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st century.

Solving Grand Challenges Through a New Perspective

Danielle Dantzler, a sophomore majoring in biological engineering, is determined to tackle the grand challenge of engineering better medicine.

Student team places second at Global Grand Challenges Summit

What do access to clean water, better fertilizer and premium coffee beans have in common? It’s all part of engineering in an unpredictable world.

A Scholar Visits the White House

Michaela Rikard met President Obama to promote STEM education and research. Michaela graduated from the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering and is an alumna of NC State’s Grand Challenges Scholars Program.

Pioneering the Program

Start small and think big. Meet the first undergraduates to join the program and bring the movement of the Grand Challenge Scholars to NC State.

Students Meet Their Grand Challenge

These four scholars may share the same engineering major and the same drive to innovate. However, they have taken their own approach toward solving problems. Hear their testimonies and motivations to tackle the Grand Challenges.

Visit go.ncsu.edu/gcsp