Apply for the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator for the chance to turn your boldest ambitions into action. The Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka are joining forces to accelerate young innovators’ most ambitious social impact ideas through the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator.
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Ambition Accelerator Early Entry Prize: Taco Bell and Ashoka will select six outstanding teams (“Stand-Outs”) from those that apply by June 1, 2022 (11:59 PM EST), for a cash prize of $500. Additionally, all entries submitted by the early entry deadline will receive feedback to improve their application before the final deadline of July 21, 2022 (11:59 PM EST). Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements will be considered for an early entry award if they apply by the early entry deadline.
The selection committee will be looking for young people with strong answers to questions about what your idea or project is, how it will work, and your story.
Remember, they are looking for innovative and creative ideas at all stages of development, which means it can be a new idea or a fully baked one! Entries will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Bold Changemaking: The applicant is interested in becoming a changemaker; someone who demonstrates empathy and thoughtfulness and is activating others as changemakers or continuing their change-making journey. They are ready to turn their ambitions into action or are already taking steps to make a real difference in their communities.
- Fueling Creativity: The applicant is challenging the norm, tackling a new challenge, or bringing a unique perspective to an existing problem while fueling a culture of change-making in their communities and beyond.
- Ambitious Commitment: The applicant is ready to stick to their project and make a lasting impact. The applicant has a plan to grow their idea or venture and is determined to disrupt existing systems and lead the change they want to see in the world.
- Igniting Connections: The applicant is focused on making a difference in a community that is close to them and their experiences. The applicant shares why this issue is important to them and why solving this problem is important to their community.
Location:
United StatesBenefits
All Ambition Accelerator Applicants Will Receive:
- An opportunity to articulate their project or idea
- Invitations to virtual learning session(s) where applicants will deepen their change-making skills, connect with like-minded young people, and receive guidance on the application process
- Ashoka staff and Taco Bell employees’ feedback on their entries
- Peer Review and feedback on their entries
Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Innovator” Quarter-Finalists (220) Will Receive:
- $500 Cash Prize
- Opportunity to receive additional feedback on their projects
Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Ambassador” Semi-Finalists (25) Will Receive:
- $1,000 Cash Prize
- Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.*
- 5 Semi-finalists will also be selected to pitch their social idea at the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit. The additional benefits these 5 participants will receive are reflected below.
Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Leader” Finalists (4) Will Receive:
- $10,000 Additional Cash Prize
- Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.*
- Formal recognition of their contributions to the broader movement on the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator website and social media platforms.
Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Champion” Grand Finalist (1) Will Receive:
- $25,000 Additional Grand Prize
- Paid Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.*
- Formal recognition of their contributions to the broader movement on the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator website and social media platforms.
*Airfare, lodging, and meals:
- Domestic roundtrip coach airfare for team and chaperone (if applicable). Team and chaperone to fly together. Flight to be booked by Challenge Partners.
- Four (4) days and three (3) nights in one (1) shared room standard double occupancy hotel accommodations at a hotel selected by Challenge Partners;
- Ground transportation to and from the airport and hotel
- Meals during the summit
Eligibilities
- Participants must be at least 16 at the time of application and not older than 26 by the end of the entry period.
- Applicants can apply with a team member or as an Individual.
- Applicants selected to participate in the Summit must bring a team member (Hint: Many successful ventures start by working with a peer. Sharing your idea or venture is important to understanding the potential impact of your solution. If you have not built a team yet, try starting by sharing your idea with a friend, coworker, peer, or classmate who could be a teammate and invite them to join you on your change-making journey through the Ambition Accelerator!)
- Limit one entry per person/team.
- Submissions must be made by the leader/creator of the idea/venture.
- Two participants of eligible ages (plus ONE chaperone if any participant is under 18) per winning team must be available to participate in the Ambition Accelerator Summit in Greater Los Angeles Area, CA [Thursday, November 3 – Sunday, November 6, 2022].
- Each team invited to the in-person Ambition Accelerator Summit, including chaperones, will be required to provide proof of a completed primary vaccination series against Covid-19.
- The Ambition Accelerator organizing team will accept all vaccines approved by the CDC (Centres for Disease Control) for travel to the US. Attendees are highly encouraged to receive a booster vaccination, if eligible.
- Attendees who provide proof of a completed primary vaccination series must adhere to the following guideline: the final vaccine must be dated at least 14 days (about 2 weeks) prior to the first date of the event.
- Taco Bell Corp. Employees that work at the Taco Bell Restaurant Support Center (RSC), All Employees and their immediate families of Ashoka, Yum!, Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. Taco Bell Corp., and participating advertising and promotional agencies directly involved in planning this Program are NOT eligible to apply or receive a prize through this program.
- Taco Bell Restaurant Team members ARE eligible to apply to the Ambition Accelerator (from corporate and franchise restaurants).
Application Process
- Visit the online portal during the Program Period and follow the on-screen instructions to complete and submit the online application form, and upload your Video (altogether, an “Application”).
- Click on the blue “+Add idea” button that shows right below this page banner and follow the actions needed there (register, login, and/or read and agree to the Challenge terms & conditions).
- When you get to the entry page, read and complete the questions and submit your application by July 21! Make sure to click “save draft” at the bottom of the application form to avoid losing your answers.
- All applications will be reviewed for content and compliance with the submission guidelines below to determine eligibility.
- Applications must be in English.
- Videos may be four (4) minutes maximum in length and must be at least 2 (minutes) minimum in length
VIDEO SUBMISSION (required):
- Share a video (2-4 minutes long) that best highlights how you and your solution will make an impact and motivate others to act to Changemaker Quality, Connection, Creativity, and Commitment.
- Short Answer Question [1000 CHARACTERS] (required): Fueling Creativity: What problem are you hoping to solve, and how would/are you tackling it? Share your specific approach.)
- Short Answer Question [1000 CHARACTERS] (required): Igniting Connections: Why is tackling this issue important to you and why does solving it matter for the community you are connected to?
- Short Answer Question [1000 CHARACTERS] (required): Ambitious Commitment: How will you know your project is successful, and how have you planned to get there?
- Short Answer Question [1000 CHARACTERS] (required): Bold Changemaking: How does or would your solution inspire others at the centre of your project to act, or influence others to get involved with the issue you are addressing?
- Short Answer Question [1000 CHARACTERS + FILE SUBMISSION] (Optional): Is there anything additional that you would like to share that you have not been able to express in the previous four questions?
Looking for fully-funded opportunities, install the Youth Opportunities Android or iOS App here.
Application Deadline: June 2, 2022
Application ClosedOfficial linkFor Further Queries
Have a question about the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator or need support? Reach out to them at [email protected], join their text list by texting AMBITION to (571)-622-1066, or message them on https://www.instagram.com/ashokachangemakers. You can also sign up to receive updates about the Accelerator here, https://www.tfaforms.com/4983185
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