HEARTLAND

BIO-INNOVATION

CHALLENGE

MAY 2, 2025

[TIME]

KU EDWARDS CAMPUS

OVERLAND PARK, KS

AGES

13-19

KS & MO HIGH SCHOOLERS

EXPERIENCE

EXPO & PITCH COMPETITION

About

THE EVENT

Heartland Bio-Innovation Challenge is an innovative state science fair that offers an inspiring platform for Kansas students to showcase their talents in research, engineering, and entrepreneurship with a focus on biological or life sciences.

The fair will feature two primary components: an Expo where students present research or engineering projects, and a Pitch Competition for students with entrepreneurial applications for their work. The winners of the Pitch will earn the opportunity to participate in the Innovation Festival, gaining broader visibility and networking opportunities.

Attend The Heartland Bio-Innovation Challenge to:

Present your research or engineering project
Pitch your project to a panel of judges for a chance to win a cash prize and more
Network with peers and industry professionals

Participation criteria

High school students (freshmen-seniors in fall 2024) between the ages of 16-19
Must be currently enrolled or equivalent (i.e. homeschooled students)
Participants must be from Kansas or Missouri

Project criteria

The R&E Expo as well as the Pitch Competition have a few regulations and ethical guidelines that must be followed. Please visit the FAQ section at the bottom of this page and carefully read all criteria before applying.

Expo & Pitch Competition FAQ

What is the criteria for participating?

High school students (freshmen-seniors in fall 2024) between the ages of 13-19
Must be currently enrolled or equivalent (i.e. homeschooled students)
Participants must be from Kansas or Missouri

Project Gating Criteria

Projects can be submitted for poster presentation (without additional props or organisms) if it is research or engineering-based with a focus/connection to life science. Connections to life science involve the study understanding, or application of knowledge concerning a living organism, biological process, or ecosystem. Practical applications can include but are not limited to: medicine /healthcare, animal health, plant health, agriculture, environmental science, biotechnology, and biomanufacturing.

Applicants who wish to be involved in the entrepreneurial portion (Pitch Competition) of Heartland Bio-Innovation Challenge should be prepared to provide a brief explanation to the commercial application of their project for the event application , and a more detailed explanation on the day of the event. A more detailed explanation will include the participant’s entrepreneurial vision, an analysis of the innovation and/or market potential , and an understanding of the commercial landscape.

Ethical guidelines: Projects submitting cannot require IRB or IACUC approval (involving vertebrates). Projects involving humans must have personal information anonymized both in the application and at the event. The project must be safe for the applicant and any additional participants involved.

What is the prize for winning?

The top 3 project winners in each track and category of the Heartland Bio-Innovation Challenge will receive free entry to the 2025 Innovation Festival on August 12, 2025 at Overland Park Convention Center, presented by BioKansas. Selected winners of the Heartland Pitch Competition will be invited to compete at the Innovation Festival Pitch Competition, and selected winners from the R&E Expo will be eligible to participate in a “Lightning Poster” presentation session during Innovation Festival. Learn more about Innovation Festival here.

An alternate will be chosen from each category in the case that any of the top 3 are unable to make it to Innovation Festival. Alternates will have a spot in the STEAM gallery to present their work, and are expected to be on standby so they can pitch if needed. Alternates will be notified up to 2 weeks prior to Innovation Festival if they will present or pitch.