Contest Submission Process

Submission Requirements and Due Dates: 

All draft materials described below due by the submission deadline of 11:59 PM on Friday, November 7th, 2025 via an email to  appcontest@unm.edu with the subject line of:   App Contest Technical Submission – <Team or App Name>

Submission Criteria

Apps being pitched will be judged for technical parameters initially by submitting to  appcontest@unm.edu all required materials as described below:

  1. A short bio on the developer(s)/team (PDF or Word Doc Attachment only, do not send in a link)
  2. 3 screen shots of the application, could be used for score card identification or promotional materials (PDF or Word Doc Attachment only, do not send in a link)
  3. A document stating purpose, audience, functions, pathways to satisfaction (PDF or Word Doc Attachment only, do not send in a link).
  4. A document stating proposed technical aspects (PDF or Word Doc Attachment only, do not send in a link).
  5. A document describing (PDF or Word Doc Attachment only, do not send in a link)
  6. A link to your prototype. (Make sure that the technical judges have access to this prototype use the “share” feature, then set permissions to viewable by anyone with the link).

Finalist Selection

We will pick up to 10 finalists out of all the submissions entered. There are currently many teams interested in competing. The first cut will be made on the technical score and the extra technical points.

Finalist Notification

The finalists will be notified with an invitation to select a general Presentation Day/Awards Ceremony session time slot. Teams not selected as finalists will be notified as well.

Mandatory Practice Sessions

The finalists will be required to attend practice sessions prior to the Presentation Day/Awards Ceremony (it is optional for your mentor to attend as well, but their attendance is encouraged). You will have the opportunity to edit and polish your presentation prior to the Presentation Day/Awards Ceremony.  It is highly encouraged for your entire team to attend the practice session as the feedback often proves to be critical for the success of your final presentation.

Unofficial transcripts DUE AT your mandatory practice session.  IMPORTANT:  You must bring an unofficial transcript for each team member to the mandatory practice session.  Do NOT email these transcripts!!

 

Your Presentation on Presentation Day

Based on practice session feedback, prepare a slide deck pitching your app.  Your slide deck is due to appcontest@unm.edu by November 19, 2025 at Noon (No late presentations will be accepted).  Please use subject line: App Contest Presentation Submission – <Team or App Name>

Your total slide presentation should allow for 8 minutes of demo and 4 minutes for judge Q & A.  You will be timed and your presentation of your slides/screenshots or video cannot exceed 8 minutes. 

Allot 1-2 Minutes:

  • Introduce your team briefly (name, institution, year, area of study)
  • Introduce your app, its functionality, and problem space it addresses
  • Describe your app's technology
  • Please make sure the pace of your presentation is appropriate for an audience unfamiliar with your app. In other words, go slowly enough so that judges can evaluate all of the functionality you are demonstrating. We can help you with this if you ask!

Allot Remaining Time should be dedicated to your Pitch (bring the ‘wow’ factor that the judges will love!):

  • NOTE: Narrate your slide presentation and feel free to use screen shots and/or pre-recorded videos that are embedded in your slide deck. Any questions, email  appcontest@unm.edu.

We recommend you thoroughly practice your presentation with a faculty, mentor, colleagues, or family member(s) who can provide feedback.  This practice will help ensure a smooth and professional presentation that does not exceed the time.  Your presentation score will be added to your technical score and extra technical points to determine winners.

Winners

Winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony following a brief Judge's deliberation after the last presentation.

Need Help

If you have questions or technical challenges. Please contact  appcontest@unm.edu by email and your question can be answered, clarified or forwarded to a subject matter expert for follow up.