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Get Involved

Learn more on this page about ways to engage in The Opportunity Project and join a community of innovators working to turn federal open data into technologies that solve real-world problems for people across the country.

Participate in the American Statistical Association Data Challenge Expo

We’re excited to share a new way for the public to get involved in TOP this fall! We’re partnering with The American Statistical Association (ASA) on the 2021 Annual Data Challenge Expoexternal link icon , which is a competition with cash prizes for the best analysis and visualization of Census Bureau data. The theme of this year’s challenge is “Helping Families, Business, and Communities Respond to COVID-19” (download problem statementexternal link icon to learn more and view examples of problems you could focus on).

Through the Expo, contestants are challenged to analyze the U.S. Census Bureau 2019 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year Estimatesexternal link icon using statistical and visualization tools and methods, and present their findings at ASA’s Joint Statistical Meeting (JSM).
Note: The challenge requires applicants to use the ACS 1-year estimates, but you are encouraged to use others as well, and additional data sets and points of contact can be found on The Opportunity Project Data Curation Hub.external link icon

We also encourage you to develop digital products as part of your participation in the challenge. For a guidebook on transforming federal open data into digital tools for the American people, visit The Opportunity Project Product Development Toolkit.external link icon

Sprints

Sprints are 12-week product development cycles where we bring together tech teams and collaborators to build digital products using open data.

2020 Earth Sprints

LAUNCHED JUNE 2020

This year, teams are leveraging technology and open data to solve challenges related to the natural and built environment, such as disaster response, sustainable energy and communities, the blue economy, and more.

mountains
View Full Brief (PDF)

1

Natural Environments Sprint

RUNS JUNE—SEP

This cohort focuses on challenges related to the natural environment, including reducing plastic pollution and developing markets for recycled materials.

Federal agency partner(s). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The challenge. Develop innovative digital solutions that connect domestic recycling facilities with manufacturers to enhance recycling markets and increase the use of recycled materials.

Target audience. U.S. recycling facilities and manufacturers looking to produce, sell, and buy quality recycled materials; rural or tribal communities; organizations and state and local governments striving to improve their recycling facilities and infrastructure.

Federal agency partner(s). U.S. Department of State & The Wilson Center

The challenge. Create open data sets and engaging digital tools that complement existing citizen science plastics data, to help the public understand the amount of plastic on local beaches and in the ocean, where such plastic comes from, and actions that can be taken to alleviate the problem.

Target audience. Engaged citizens passionate about reducing plastic pollution, rural or tribal communities, as well as policymakers, advocates, and researchers

Federal agency partner(s). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The challenge. Create tools to help communities understand how transportation-caused pollution contributes to emissions, local air quality, and health, as well as the actions available to lessen these impacts.

Target audience. Engaged citizens and the general public, especially those at higher risk for respiratory illnesses (e.g., individuals over 65, children, those with respiratory ailments), urban populations and communities (e.g., high transportation traffic areas), rural or tribal communities, and motorized vehicles users.

Federal agency partner(s). U.S. Department of Agriculture

The challenge. Create digital tools that provide farmers, ranchers, and researchers with timely access to National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) data to help them make important agricultural and planning decisions.

Target audience. Farmers, ranchers, engaged citizens, rural or tribal communities, emergency managers, state and local government, federal agencies, university researchers.

overhead view of suburban residential block
View Full Brief (PDF)

2

Built Environments Sprint

RUNS JULY-OCT

This cohort focuses on challenges related to the built environment, including increasing families’ economic self-sufficiency and rural economic development.

Federal agency partner(s). U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

The challenge. Create digital collaboration platforms that enable low income families to holistically assess their needs and connect with the best federal, state and local programs to equip and empower them toward self-sufficiency and economic mobility.

Target audience. Low to moderate income heads of households; case managers; guidance counselors; life coaches; community and ministry leaders; service providers; philanthropic organizations; federal, state and local government service program managers, policy makers, legislators

Federal agency partner(s). USA for UNHCR

The challenge. Create a tool that connects resettled refugees with resources and vital services, such as access to medical care and mental health treatment, English language learning, job training, education, etc. These resources might be available through government agencies, nonprofits, community based organizations, private sector actors and the like.

Target audience. Resettled refugees in the United States, nonprofits that provide help to refugees

Federal agency partner(s). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The challenge. Create digital tools that help rural communities access and use data to implement solutions to economic, environmental, and human health challenges, taking care to reach places that have limited professional capacity and small budgets.

Target audience. Local officials or other local decision makers; regional planning groups; rural or tribal communities; communities that have been impacted by recent pandemic outfall, loss of key industry, and/or extreme weather events are suggested.

Federal agency partner(s). Office of Management & Budget

The challenge. Create digital tools and resources to track federal financial assistance award spending starting from Federal awards and flowing down to state and/or local spend in response to one or more emergencies and disasters (e.g., COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other disasters)

Target audience. American public, researchers, engaged citizens, state/local communities, rural or tribal communities, grant/loan recipients, small businesses, managers of disaster funds, appropriators

lecture hall

3

University sprint

RUNS SEPT-NOV

This cohort focuses on the same challenges from the natural and built environment sprints but primarily includes university-based teams.

PAST CHALLENGES

2019

2018

2017

2016

People crossing a sidewalk
View Full Brief (PDF)

2020 Census Sprint

CHALLENGE

Create digital tools and resources to help get out the count during the 2020 Census. Challenges include: Bridging the digital divide, Increasing digital literacy, Promoting 2020 Census jobs, and Reaching hard-to-count communities.

Children playing outside
View Full Brief (PDF)

Catalyzing Investment in Opportunity Zones

CHALLENGE

Teams from companies, universities, and more sign up to build digital products that use federal open data to help solve these challenges.

Women indoors looking at something out of frame
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Modernizing Talent Discovery for High Growth Entrepreneurship

CHALLENGE

Create digital tools or open sourced data to transform talent discovery, matching, and retention in mid-size cities across the country, to help them achieve innovation and regional economic growth.

Women writing on a whiteboard
View Full Brief (PDF)

Resources to Unleash American Entrepreneurship

CHALLENGE

Develop tools to empower entrepreneurs and innovation ecosystem builders to find and navigate the variety of resources available across the federal government.

Two men in suits smiling and looking at a laptop together
View Full Brief (PDF)

Helping the American Workforce Leverage Multiple Pathways for Career Growth

CHALLENGE

Create digital tools that help American workers to consider and take advantage of the multiple pathways available to find or advance in careers, from making alternative pathways more attractive to making opportunities more discoverable

Anatomical drawings of the main human body systems
View Full Brief (PDF)

Promoting Access to and Interest in STEM Fields

CHALLENGE

Develop tools for parents and students that promote students’ interest in STEM and empower them to pursue STEM education locally.

Closeup screenshot of application with average daily viewer statistics displayed
View Full Brief (PDF)

Helping States Develop Education Report Cards

CHALLENGE

Develop parent-friendly, scalable approaches to communicating data about public schools that drive insight and engagement—and meet the requirements of a recent federal law.

A line of soldiers facing away from the camera and saluting
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Using AI to Connect Veterans with Registered Apprenticeships

CHALLENGE

Develop tools that use artificial intelligence algorithms or natural language processing technology to match veterans to registered apprenticeship programs.

Closeup of an individual getting their blood pressure taken, showing only the arms of the nurse and patient
View Full Brief (PDF)

Increasing Government Accountability by Connecting Federal Spending and Performance Data

CHALLENGE

Develop public facing tools that link federal spending and performance (or outcome) data to provide comprehensive insight into the use of federal taxpayer dollars across programs.

Black and white photo of the U.S. Treasury building
View Full Brief (PDF)

Improving Access to and Management of Federal Grants

CHALLENGE

Develop tools that expand on existing systems to help grant recipients manage the entire grants lifecycle, helping grant managers and recipients search for opportunities, streamline reporting, and assess risks.

Birdseye view of a hurricane over coastline
View Full Brief (PDF)

Using Geospatial Data to Help People Prepare for Disasters

CHALLENGE

Create digital tools that use data to help individuals and community leaders gain a better understanding of national and community hazards and threats and enable the public to take appropriate preparedness actions.

Man standing in an arched hallway holding a baby in front of him, facing away from the camera
View Full Brief (PDF)

Harnessing Data and Leveraging Digital Tools to Combat the Opioid Crisis

CHALLENGE

Create digital tools and data sharing capabilities to support decisions across stakeholders responding to the opioid crisis, such as public health, public safety, law enforcement, community groups, the private sector, and individuals.

overhead view of suburban residential block
View Full Brief (PDF)

Helping Tribal, State, and Local Governments with Local Address Data Collection

CHALLENGE

Develop resources that help tribal, state, and local governments to create and maintain open address point data.

Hands planting a seedling
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Identifying and Strengthening Civic Environmental Stewardship

CHALLENGE

Develop tools that visualize and provide access to the patterns, overlaps, and gaps in environmental stewardship efforts in order to identify groups that support community quality of life and strengthen community resilience.

Black and white photo of the U.S. Treasury Building
View Full Brief (PDF)

Making Federal Grants Data User-Friendly for Local Leaders

CHALLENGE

Create digital tools for Federal financial assistance that help local leaders navigate and manage Federal grants.

Closeup of a clipboard form on a desk and the hand of a person filling it out with a pen
View Full Brief (PDF)

Engaging Communities in the Census

CHALLENGE

Create digital tools that enable individuals and communities to see and experience the value of the Census in order to increase participation in the Census.

Four young adults standing and facing away from the camera, overlooking the skyline
View Full Brief (PDF)

Youth Homelessness

CHALLENGE

Digital tools that better our understanding of where our homeless pre K-12 students are enrolled and how well we are serving them.

overhead closeup of a conference table with a laptop, clipboards, and the hands of three people are visible as two of them shake hands
View Full Brief (PDF)

Veterans Homelessness and Employment

CHALLENGE

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is focused on ensuring that we end homelessness for our veterans and support them in the most effective way possible.

City bus driving down a street in the snow
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Increasing Safety and Mobility Across the Nation

CHALLENGE

Community advocates often have a difficult time synthesizing/disseminating complete information about issues their neighborhoods are facing. Without good data, these advocates have a hard time effectively engaging with their local governments to drive meaningful change in their community.

Closeup of people seated around a laptop pointing at the screen
View Full Brief (PDF)

Supporting Decision-making for Student Sub-populations and their Families

CHALLENGE

Certain mobile or disconnected student populations entering or reentering the community could greatly benefit from data and resources to support their wellbeing and success.

Two people working together on a laptop
View Full Brief (PDF)

Identifying Equity Scores and Gaps

CHALLENGE

Develop tools that leverage data to help stakeholders understand where educational inequities exist.

View of a city skyline at night

Ending Homelessness

CHALLENGE

Develop tools to connect potential landlords with the providers of Rapid Rehousing services to the homeless.

Bicycle in the foreground with people outside in the background, slightly out of focus
View Full Brief (PDF)

Promoting Health and Wellbeing Nationwide

CHALLENGE

Parents and community leaders could benefit from evidence-based tools that provide information regarding Emotional Well-Being and cultivate individual and community-level EWB.

Man in protective equipment welding
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Accessing Apprenticeships

CHALLENGE

Job seekers who are looking for apprenticeship opportunities within their communities or in specific areas are currently unable to identify Registered Apprenticeships (RA) training/job openings.

Sign reading For Hire
View Full Brief (PDF)

Connecting Americans to Skills and Jobs

CHALLENGE

Unlocking workforce data can make it easier for Americans who are chronically unemployed or underemployed to find and access new training and job opportunities.

Rural area of houses and fields, seen slightly from above, with mountains visible in the background
View Full Brief (PDF)

Small Town Resource Guide

CHALLENGE

Many small towns lack the capacity/human capital to take advantage of programs (e.g. grants and low cost loans for broadband, health facilities, water systems, businesses, housing) for which they are eligible.

School lunch tray with spoon, milk, soup, and orange slices
View Full Brief (PDF)

Summer Food Programs

CHALLENGE

During the academic year, many students rely on school meals for breakfast and lunch. In the summer, students and families seek a reliable alternative, but information on summer meals sites is often lacking.

Man speaking into microphone at a user engagement workshop hosted by The Opportunity Project

Get Involved

Join a community of hundreds working to transform America’s data into America’s innovation.

Tell us what you’re interested in. We’ll keep you posted about opportunities to join a sprint, attend an event, and more.


Build with open data

TOP PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT

Not able to join a TOP sprint? Use our product development toolkit—based on the TOP sprint model—to create civic impact with open data. We cover user research, navigating federal data, and more.

Run a TOPx sprint

COMING SOON

Are you a federal agency looking to adopt The Opportunity Project model? Use our TOPx toolkit—a step-by-step resource complete with sample materials—to help run your own TOP sprint.