Build a Bridge competition
Student-led Innovation for Social Impact
Apply by June 15, 2025!
Build a Bridge is your opportunity to turn technical skills into real-world impact. A program and competition designed to empower students, this initiative invites participants to tackle urgent challenges in immigrant integration using AI and digital tools.
The second edition of Build a Bridge runs from September 2025 to January 2026 and offers hands-on training, mentorship, and the chance to compete for awards of up to $4,000 per team.
Get a certificate and win up to $4,000 CAD for your solution
The program
Over eight weeks, participants will take part in 16 hours of workshops and roundtables focused on identifying migrant integration challenges, designing ethical AI tools, and testing practical solutions. Students who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion and become eligible for the Build a Bridge competition.
The competition
Teams of 3 – 4 students will have one month to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that addresses a real barrier to immigrant integration in one of three categories:
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Employment and Lifelong Learning
- Place, Infrastructure, Citizenship, and Participation
One winning team per category will receive a total of up to $4,000 ($1,000 per team member). You can apply with a pre-formed team or join individually and be matched with others.
Why Participate?
Make a difference in the lives of newcomers while gaining skills and experience that set you apart. Build a Bridge is your opportunity to:
✔️ Develop in-demand skills in digital design, project management, and entrepreneurship.
✔️Expand your network by connecting with mentors, experts, and peers.
✔️Create portfolio-ready work that shows your technical and problem-solving abilities.
✔️Tackle real challenges in immigrant integration that matter to communities.
✔️Strengthen your resume with project experience and awards that highlight innovation.
Who Should Apply?
You must be enrolled for Fall 2025 at one of the four Bridging Divides partner universities: Toronto Metropolitan University, Concordia University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia. Students need to provide an enrolment letter as a part of the registration form.
We strongly encourage students with computer engineering and computer science backgrounds to take part in this program. Participants are expected to bring their technical skills to the program as we do not provide education on these subjects. Students are expected to have the ability to develop software independently.
Program Timeline
Registration Deadline: June 15, 2025
Workshops: September 9 – October 21, 2025
Competition Opens: October 25, 2025
MVP Submission Deadline: January 5, 2026
Final Showcase & Awards: January 27, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You have to submit a registration form (external link) . Each student must register individually.
Yes. You can participate in the workshop program on your own.
To enter the competition, you must be in a team of 3 to 4 students. You can register with a pre-formed team or be matched with other participants during the program.
June 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EDT)
You must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Fall 2025 at one of the following universities:
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- University of Alberta
- University of British Columbia
- Concordia University
An official enrolment letter is required as part of your application.
An Enrolment Verification Letter (also called Proof or Confirmation of Enrolment) confirms your active student status for the Fall 2025 term. Please refer to your institution’s guidelines:
Proof of Enrolment letter for TMU students.
Proof of Enrolment letter for University of Alberta students. (external link)
Proof of Enrolment letter for University of British Columbia (external link)
Proof of Enrolment letter for Concordia University (external link)
This program is designed for students with strong technical skills as we do not provide training on these subjects. We expect participants to be able to develop software independently. While we especially encourage students from computer science and engineering backgrounds, others with proven coding skills and experience in AI tools are welcome to apply.
Build a Bridge is a hybrid initiative. If you are a TMU student, you should attend the workshops, roundtables, and final event in person at the Bridging Divides/CERC Migration office in Toronto. If you are a student at U of A, Concordia, or UBC, you can join the program online. Dedicated virtual rooms will be created to facilitate discussions and participation.
Title Event |
Date |
EDT (ON time) |
MDT (AB time) |
PDT (BC time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Open | April 15, 2025 |
11:59 pm |
10:59 pm |
9:59 pm |
Roundtable one: Program Overview and Networking Opportunity for Students. |
Sep 9, 2025 |
1-2 pm |
11am-12 pm |
10-11 am |
Workshop one: Problem Discovery and Idea Validation |
Sep 16, 2025 |
1-3 pm |
11am-1pm |
10 am-12 pm |
Workshop two: Customer Discovery, Minimum Viable Product, and Pitching Idea |
Sep 23, 2025 |
1-3 pm |
11am-1pm |
10 am-12 pm |
Workshop three: Immigrant Health and Well-Being Challenges and Employment and Lifelong Learning Challenges |
Sep 30, 2025 |
1-3 pm |
11am-1pm |
10 am-12 pm |
Workshop Four: Place and Infrastructure Challenges and Citizenship and Participation Challenges |
Oct 7, 2025 |
1-3 pm |
11am-1pm |
10 am-12 pm |
Workshop five: Designing and Developing AI Solutions |
Oct 14, 2025 |
1-3 pm |
11am-1pm |
10 am-12 pm |
Workshop six: Regulatory and Ethical Considerations, Startups’ Presentations, and Panel Discussion |
Oct 21, 2025
|
1-3 pm |
11am-1pm |
10 am-12 pm |
Build a Bridge Competition |
||||
Roundtable two: Brainstorming session for students to refine and develop their project ideas |
Oct 28, 2025 |
1-2 pm |
11am-12 pm |
10-11 am |
Roundtable three: Review of application questions and final clarifications before submission |
Dec 4, 2025
|
1-2 pm |
11am-1pm |
10-11 am |
Deadline for MVP submission: Students must submit their application along with their MVP |
Jan 5, 2026
|
12 am |
12 am |
12 am |
Final event: Teams will showcase their video presentations, and the winning teams will be announced and celebrated |
Jan 27, 2026 |
1-3 pm |
11am-1pm |
10 am-12 pm |
Yes. Once your registration is confirmed, you’ll receive access to a booking calendar to schedule up to one hour of mentorship per week based on the team’s needs. Mentorship is available in three areas:
Entrepreneurship: Guidance through problem discovery and validation, product design, competitive analysis, and market assessment
Immigration studies: Help in understanding the challenge you chose to address and feedback on the relevance, feasibility, and impact of your proposed solutions
AI Research and Engineering: Technical support, along with guidance on ethical and safety considerations related to your solution
Contact Kiana Jenabidehkordi (kiana.jenabidehkordi @torontomu.ca) if you have any questions.
Interested in becoming a mentor?
We welcome mentors with experience in their area of choice. For example, those who have developed products or supported startups, researchers or nonprofit professionals with a background in immigration and settlement, or individuals with expertise in AI research or the development of AI-powered tools. Interested in getting involved with the Bridging Divides program? Get in touch. (opens in new window)
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