RELEASE 11-03-2022: University Students Invited to Participate in 2023 FAA Data Challenge

Washington, DC – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is excited to announce the first FAA Data Challenge, inviting United States-based college and university students to use data to identify challenges and propose innovative solutions to enable FAA’s mission to provide the safest and most efficient aerospace system in the world. University teams will compete for the top cash prize of $25,000.

The 2023 Challenge focuses on the use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and advanced analytics to address aviation-related problems and opportunities. AI/ML is rapidly transforming many industries, including aviation.

The FAA seeks submissions that will push the boundary and introduce novel approaches to aviation problems as the FAA moves further towards an info-centric National Airspace System (NAS). The advanced analytics and AI/ML proposals should address one of the following categories:

• Improve Aviation Safety
• Improve Operational Efficiency of the NAS
• Contribute to the Drive for Sustainable Aviation
• Assist with the Rapidly Evolving New and Novel Uses of the NAS

Interested teams must submit a non-binding Expression of Interest by Nov. 6, 2022. Those who submit an EOI will be invited to Question & Answer Sessions with the FAA Data Challenge Steering Committee and program team. Project Abstracts are due by Jan. 22, 2023, resulting in selection of 10 finalist teams. Finalist teams will demonstrate their solutions at the Challenge Forum in June 2023.

Finalist teams will be reimbursed up to $8,000 to offset costs to attend the Forum. After reviewing and evaluating the Finalists’ Technical Papers and demonstrations, the lead university of the top three teams will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize. In addition, the team earning Best Overall Submission will receive an additional $15,000.

Competition details are available on the Challenge website, https://faadatachallenge.nianet.org.

The FAA Data Challenge is sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Chief Data Office (CDO) and managed by the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA).

For more information about FAA Information & Technology Services, please visit
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/afn/offices/ait.

For more information about the National Institute of Aerospace, please visit
https://www.nianet.org.