I Strengthen My Nation – Challenge Programs

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in partnership with We R Native, is hosting two challenge competitions to recognize and draw upon the inherent strengths and resiliencies of Indigenous people and culture that protect against substance misuse. Be sure to scroll down to read about both challenges!

I Strengthen My Nation: Artistic Expressions of Resilience Against Substance Misuse

Screen grab of art contest promo on We R Native website

Art Challenge: We invite youth to submit any original form of art and describe how it depicts resilience against drug abuse. Click here for more detail and submission requirements.

Prizes: $500 individual submission, $1000 group submission, total of approximately 25 prizes

I Strengthen My Nation: American Indian and Alaska Native Community Projects Created by Youth

Community Project Intervention Challenge: We invite youth to develop plans for a project that they believe would augment resilience to substance abuse in communities, submitting to us a plan for the project and video description. Click here for more detail and submission requirements.

Prizes: $2,000-$10,000 per entry, total purse of $85,000

Dates and Deadlines for both challenges

  • Submission Start: April 8th, 2021
  • Submission End: July 7th, 2021
  • Winners Announced: July 30th, 2021

What is a Challenge?

Challenge.gov is the official hub for challenges and prize competitions across the U.S. federal government. The goal is to engage the public to identify innovative solutions to critical issues.

Click here for more information.

Questions? Contact us!

  • Jenna Murray (cM.P.H.)
    Fellow, Native American Program
    National Institute on Drug Abuse

    Jenna.murray@nih.gov
  •  Kathy Etz, Ph.D.
    Director, Native American Program
    National Institute on Drug Abuse

    Ketz@nih.gov
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