As challenges grow increasingly complex and interconnected, the ability to understand and work across systems has become essential. With applications opening today, Innovation North's 2026 Student Challenge (the Challenge), delivered by Ivey’s Innovation North in partnership with ATCO SpaceLab, invites post-secondary students from across Canada to explore how systems thinking can reshape approaches to difficult societal issues. This year’s Challenge will invite students to wrestle with ‘housing’ – a pressing issue that involves multiple sectors, varied stakeholders, changing technologies, and conflicting perspectives – one where economic forces, policy decisions, and community needs intersect in ways that resist simplistic solutions.
The Challenge gives students hands-on experience applying systems thinking to real-world problems – work that mirrors the complexity leaders face across sectors. Now in its third year, Innovation North’s Student Challenge continues its focus on developing students’ ability to grapple with multifaceted problems. Earlier Challenges explored the future of retail and local communities, and loneliness and mental wellness at work, each requiring participants to consider multiple actors, forces, and perspectives.
Using systems thinking to embrace complexity
For Mazi Raz, MBA ’05, PhD ’14, an assistant professor of strategy at Ivey, this year’s Challenge builds on Innovation North’s commitment to helping students work differently with problems that resist simple solutions. Raz will lead this year’s Challenge along with Tima Bansal, Founder of Innovation North and a professor of general management, sustainability, and strategy, and Valen Boyd, an Ivey PhD candidate.
"This year’s Challenge asks students to confront a crisis that hits close to home – one that is fundamental to our security, economy, and community," Raz said.
Raz explained that students are often taught to solve controllable problems with solutions that mimic technical innovation or simple policy interventions.
"Housing isn't just a policy puzzle; it's deeply personal, economically critical, and socially defining. That's what makes it such a powerful learning ground for systems thinking," he said.
Raz describes the Challenge as “an invitation to step out of one’s disciplinary silos and join a journey of learning, unlearning, and collaboration.” He added that participants will need to adopt new problem-solving tactics “to examine the broader landscape, imagine alternative futures, and transform the system rather than merely treating its symptoms.”
Given that the Challenge demands a multi-disciplinary perspective, Innovation North encourages participation from a broad array of backgrounds – from engineering and urban planning to public policy, health sciences, the natural and social sciences, philosophy, and management.
A partnership rooted in real-world systems challenges
This year marks a new partnership with ATCO, a global organization whose leadership in energy infrastructure, affordable housing, and inclusive Indigenous community partnerships brings a unique lens to tackling complex societal challenges. With more than 75 years of experience, ATCO leverages modular construction to deliver speed, scalability, and cost efficiency — essential advantages in today’s housing market.
Kyle Koss, Vice President, ATCO Ventures, said the collaboration reflects a shared interest in cultivating systems-thinking capabilities across Canada.
"Through this partnership, ATCO is investing in the capabilities Canada needs next: the ability to define problems systemically, collaborate across disciplines, and turn promising ideas into scalable outcomes. The Systems Innovation Challenge is a real-world arena for that work, and we can’t wait to see what this year’s cohort does with the challenge of housing,” he said.
Competition structure and key dates
- Applications open: Wednesday, January 7
- Application deadline: Saturday, January 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Eligibility: Teams of undergraduate, graduate, or PhD students from any Canadian post-secondary institution and any discipline
- Info session: January 21, 6–6:30 p.m. ET (Hear from alumni of previous Challenges about their experiences)
To support participants, Innovation North is introducing a weekly series of short systems-thinking podcasts released throughout February. Hosted by Raz and members of the Innovation North team, each episode focuses on a core concept, with optional Zoom sessions offering space for deeper discussion.
Students will be asked to apply systems thinking to analyze a complex issue and propose thoughtful pathways for change. After the first submission round, the top eight teams will travel to Toronto from April 24 to 26 for an in-person weekend of workshops, system exploration, and final presentations. Travel support will be available to ensure national participation.
Teams will have the opportunity to earn up to $15,000 in prize funding. As in previous years, three $5,000 prizes will be awarded across several categories, with flexibility to recognize teams in more than one category depending on the judges’ assessment.
A broader learning experience
Ultimately, the Challenge is an opportunity for students to build the skills needed to navigate complex, interconnected problems. By working with peers from different disciplines, participants gain experience thinking systemically, integrating diverse perspectives, and developing approaches that reflect the realities of today’s challenges. Students interested in systems thinking, community resilience, or tackling complex problems are encouraged to apply.
Applications and full details are available at Innovation North's 2026 Student Challenge.
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