The U.S. Department of Education is inviting American high schools to propose student-led solutions that make career exploration easier and more useful for their classmates. Teams of CTE students, led by a CTE teacher, coordinator or director, design something that connects students with local employers, training and education pathways, whether a digital tool, a guide, an event or a partnership. It is the fourth challenge in CTE Momentum, the Department's annual challenge series, and up to 10 winning teams share a $50,000 prize pool.

What you get:

• An equal share of a $50,000 cash prize pool for each of up to 10 winning teams, paid by electronic funds transfer
• Free challenge resources, including templates, guides and articles for classroom discussion
• National recognition: the Department publishes winning schools' names, cities and states

What you'll do:

• Work as a team of students and teachers to study how students at your school currently explore careers and where they get stuck
• Design a practical solution, such as a digital tool, guide, event or partnership, that connects classmates with local careers, employers and education pathways
• Submit the proposal through the challenge's AwardForce platform, with a statement from your principal or district administrator approving entry

Key dates:

• Submissions opened August 4, 2026
• Submissions close November 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• Judging November 2026
• Winners announced early 2027

More information:

• Awards and selection criteria: https://careersinyourcommunity.ctemomentum.com/awards-and-selection-criteria/
• Frequently asked questions: https://careersinyourcommunity.ctemomentum.com/frequently-asked-questions/
• Official rules, terms and conditions: https://careersinyourcommunity.ctemomentum.com/rules-terms-and-conditions/

• Open to US high schools that meet the definition of an eligible recipient under Perkins V and are eligible to receive funds under section 131; a school does not need to receive Perkins V funding now
• Entrants submit on behalf of their school
• The team lead must be employed at the school as a CTE teacher, coordinator or director and be at least 18
• Teams can include any number of students and teachers, across grade levels and subjects
• Each entry needs a statement from the principal or a school district administrator approving entry
• More than one team per school may enter, but each school can win only once
• Judged on five equally weighted criteria: career pathway knowledge, impact, feasibility, community connection and student engagement