Have an Idea that Could Make Student Life at Waterloo Better?

University students present a $5,000 WUSA check to Clear The Haze under a “Change Engine” student life banner.

Have an Idea that Could Make Student Life at Waterloo Better? Change Engine Can Help You Make It Happen

Maybe you have an idea for making university more affordable. Maybe you want to improve student wellbeing, create more opportunities for students to connect, or make campus more accessible. Whatever the issue, if it affects the student experience, it could be the starting point for something bigger.

Through Change Engine, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) gives undergraduate students the opportunity to turn their ideas into real projects that make a difference on campus. Two winning projects will each receive $5,000 in funding, along with mentorship and marketing support to help bring their ideas to life.

You don’t need to consider yourself an advocate, entrepreneur, or student leader to get involved. You just need to care about an issue affecting student life and have an idea for how to make it better.

What Would You Change About Student Life?

Every student experiences university life differently. From the cost of living to academic pressures, there are countless ways the student experience could be improved.

Change Engine is an opportunity to take something you’ve noticed, experienced, or heard from your peers and turn it into a project that creates meaningful change.

Your idea could focus on:

Affordability: Making essential student resources more accessible or helping students manage the cost of university.

Housing: Improving the student housing experience, from affordability to access to resources.

Well-being: Creating initiatives that support student mental health and overall well-being.

Academics: Addressing academic challenges or improving the learning experience.

Accessibility: Making campus spaces, services, and experiences more inclusive.

Sustainability: Encouraging environmentally friendly practices and reducing campus waste.

Safety: Helping students feel safer and more supported on campus.

Social connection: Creating opportunities for students to build friendships, find community, and feel a stronger sense of belonging.

These are just a few examples. If there’s another issue affecting your student experience, we want to hear about it.

You don’t need to have every detail figured out before applying. Start with the problem you want to address and the change you hope to make. Change Engine can help you develop your idea into something actionable.

Two Projects. $10,000 in Funding. Real Support to Make Change Happen.

Change Engine isn’t just about winning funding. It’s about giving students the resources, guidance, and recognition they need to turn their ideas into meaningful projects.

For the 2026-27 cycle, two winning projects will each receive $5,000, for a total of $10,000 in available funding.

Beyond the funding, each winning project will also receive:

1-on-1 mentorship: Work with WUSA to develop your project and navigate the process of bringing it to life.

Marketing consultation: Get support with promoting your initiative and reaching the students who need it.

Social media spotlight: Share your project with the broader student community.

WUSA website feature: Have your initiative recognized and showcased on WUSA’s website.

Whether you’re starting with a small idea or envisioning a larger campus initiative, Change Engine can help you take the next step.

Students Have Already Turned Their Ideas into Impact

Change Engine has supported students in transforming their ideas into projects that address real challenges in the student experience.

Take H2oloo, a previous Change Engine winner led by students Giordana Staudohar and Isabelle Lee. Their project aims to improve access to filtered water fountains in residence buildings, making it easier for students to stay hydrated while encouraging more sustainable water consumption.

With support from Change Engine, H2oloo secured a $138,000 investment from University of Waterloo campus housing to bring its project to life. The initiative is moving forward with plans for more than 40 new water fountains to be installed in 2027.

H2oloo is an example of what can happen when students identify an issue, develop an idea, and receive the support to pursue it.

Other previous projects have focused on reducing student substance dependence, improving campus safety, encouraging sustainable recycling habits, and creating opportunities for students to connect.

Your idea could be the next one to make a difference.

How Does Change Engine Work?

Getting started is simple. You don’t need a fully developed project or a detailed implementation plan to submit your initial idea.

Here’s how the process works:

Submit your idea

- Start by submitting an application outlining the issue you want to address and your idea for improving student life. Applications are open until November 15, 2026, at midnight.

Get shortlisted

- The WUSA Advocacy Team will review submissions. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their proposals at the Change Engine final event.

Pitch your proposal

- In January 2027, shortlisted students will have the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of judges and share how their projects could improve the student experience.

Bring your idea to life

- Two projects will be selected for funding and mentorship. Each winning project will receive $5,000, along with additional support to help turn its proposal into a real initiative.

The opportunity is open to University of Waterloo undergraduate students. You can apply individually or as a team of up to five students.

Your Idea Could Make a Difference

Student life is shaped by the experiences, challenges, and ideas of the people living it. Sometimes, the biggest changes start with a simple question: What would you change?

You don’t have to wait for someone else to come up with a solution. If there’s something about student life that you think could be better, Change Engine gives you the opportunity to take action.

Have an idea that could improve student life? Apply to Change Engine by November 15, 2026, at midnight.

Two winning projects will each receive $5,000, plus 1-on-1 mentorship, marketing support, and opportunities to showcase their work.

Apply to Change Engine