About GCSP

Preparing engineers to address complex challenges

Motivated by the National Academy of Engineering’s 14 GRAND CHALLENGES FOR ENGINEERING, engineering Deans from Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering, The Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, and the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering founded the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, a new education model to prepare engineers to address complex challenges facing our global society.
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In February of 2009, The program was endorsed by the National Academy of Engineering. Since that time, the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) has been implemented at more than 90 institutions around the world.

The GCSP is a combined curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular program with five competencies designed to prepare the next generation of students to address the grand challenges facing society, to make our world more sustainable, secure, healthy, and joyful. Each institution creates their own specific realization of how the below competencies are implemented, as approved by the GCSP Network New Programs Committee.

GCSP Competencies

Talent Competency

Mentored research/creative project experience on a Grand Challenge-like topic

Multidisciplinary Competency

Understanding multidisciplinarity of engineering systems solutions developed through personal engagement

Viable Business/Entrepreneurship Competency

Understanding, preferably developed through experience, of the necessity of a viable business model for solution implementation

Multicultural Competency

Understanding different cultures, preferably through multicultural experiences, to ensure cultural acceptance of proposed engineering solutions

Social Consciousness Competency

Understanding that engineering solutions should primarily serve people and society reflecting social consciousness