What is The Change Engine

The Change Engine is your chance to spark real change on campus! Whether your idea tackles social justice, sustainability, student wellbeing, or any other concern, you could win funding, mentorship, and support to make it happen. 

Lead real projects that make a difference on campus. Develop advocacy skills, build your portfolio, and gain recognition as an Impact Driver. Plus, win up to $5,000 and expert mentorship to bring your ideas to life! 

Applications for next year are now open!

Form includes following questions:

  • Candidate names and emails
  • Your advocacy pitch including the issues you are addressing, the goal of this project, and your plan for how to achieve the stated goal
  • Your execution plan and estimated timeline

Applications Closing: Sunday, November 15th, at midnight. Event takes place in January, 2027.

Don’t miss an update: selected applicants will be asked to confirm their participation.

The Change Engine is YOUR chance to turn big ideas into real change.
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Prize details

After review, your projects will be shortlisted to pitch at the final event. Two winners take home the prize plus perks like mentorship, marketing support, and a spotlight on social media and WUSA's website. 

Illustration of a gold medal with "Stream 1" text, adorned with colorful stars and a red ribbon.
Stream #1

$5,000

Perfect for large-scale projects with multiple execution components. This type of project may require additional resources and external participation. 

A gear-shaped badge with "Stream 2" text, red ribbons, and colorful star accents.
Stream #2

$3,000

Supports medium-sized initiatives that address campus challenges in innovative ways. May not require much external participation and feedback. 

A badge with "Stream 3" text, surrounded by stars and circles with red ribbons.
Stream #3

$1,000

Perfect for impactful, smaller scale projects requiring seed funding. 

Past Winners

Curious how to budget your project? Here’s how our Change Engine 2024 winners distributed their funding. 

Winner: WYGO by Christopher Oka & Jocelyne Murphy

Events: $2,000

  • Venue rental, Food costs, Marketing, Stakeholder/Participant relationships

Design/ Software Freeland: $2,000

  • Understanding Audience, Analyzing Event Data, Gathering Insights

Finale Event: $1,000

  • Longer term/ broader community, Stakeholder/Participant relationships

Winner: EcoPlastic AI Mobile App by Dev Katyal

Launching Program: $500 

  • App fees, Website creation, Testers 

Campaigning: $600 

  • Posters, Pamphlets, Social Media Ads 

Events: $1,200 

  • Banners, Decorations, Prizes, Food 

Feedback Survey: $500 

  • Participation renumeration 

Winner: Campus Safety Initiative by Katie Traynor

Marketing/ Advocacy: $250 

  • Websites, Posters, Social Media posts, etc. 
  • Meeting with stakeholders 

Piloting Program: $700 

  • Required equipment 

Staff Appreciation: $100 

  • Food, gifts, etc. 
Ready to turn your idea into action?

Use this step-by-step template to build a plan that works.

FAQs

This is an opportunity for University of Waterloo undergraduate students to transform their advocacy ideas into tangible impacts on campus, creating real change for their peers. We encourage students to take their grassroots advocacy concepts and make a difference. You’ll have the chance to implement your ideas with the support of prize money and mentorship!  

This is only open to undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo.  

Individuals cannot participate in the event on behalf of a service or club at the University. However, individual members of those groups are welcome to submit ideas if they do so in their own time and not during paid work hours. The submissions must come from them personally or as a group of students, separate from the service itself. This event is not open to graduate students, faculty, or alumni.  

You may present individually or up to a group of five individuals. 

  1. Clear Goals and Objectives: a positive and clear message, addressing a specific problem.
  2. Empowerment and Elevation: Focus on empowering themselves, and or others (students) through initiatives or campaigns.
  3. Communication: using multiple tactics and strategies such as setting meetings, building connections, campaigning, boothing, social media campaigns, awareness campaigns, resource sharing to communicate your project.
  4. Strategic Planning:  
    • Vision/Mission: Define or reaffirm. 
    • Goals: Set SMART objectives. 
    • Strategy: Develop action plans. 
    • Implementation: Assign roles and timelines. 
    • Execution: Put the plan into action. 
    • Monitoring: Assess progress regularly.
    • Review: Adjust based on feedback.
  5. Partnerships and Collaboration:  local organizations, student groups, and community leaders to amplify efforts and resources.
  6. Resource management: understand how to use your resources wisely. 

  • Please use the funds exclusively to support your project’s goals.
  • Be sure to include meetings and stakeholder fees in your budget proposal.
  • Plan to use the full budget thoughtfully and effectively. Aim to create a project that can thrive and continue even after WUSA mentorship ends. You’re welcome to allocate part of the prize as an honorarium.
  • Remember, this is your project—WUSA is here to guide and support, but you’ll be leading the way. Think ahead and plan how you’ll distribute the funds throughout your project’s timeline

Bring your great ideas forward! To participate in The Change Engine, you’ll need to submit your application, fill out the registration form!

The WUSA Advocacy Team will reach out to you if your idea is selected to participate in The Change Engine. Other great ideas may get an opportunity to get spotlighted on WUSA webpages!  

The judges will consist of both students and staff.

We’re happy to offer accessible formats and alternative methods for participating in the process. To learn more or request an accommodation, please contact Amrit Khaira, Advocacy Specialist, at akhaira@wusa.ca  

Follow along the journey of your Change Engine winners: