The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) P3 – People, Prosperity and the Planet—program is a unique, college competition for undergraduate/graduate student teams to design solutions for a sustainable future. P3 offers students quality hands-on experience that brings their classroom learning to life.

TechConnect is proud to host EPA's P3 National Student Design Expo, supporting Phase I college student teams as they showcase their innovative solutions to real-world environmental and public health challenges. We thank the EPA and all of the participating teams for their efforts, and please join us at the TechConnect World Innovation Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor Washington, D.C. June 17-18, 2024.

What is EPA's P3 Competition?

P3 stands for People, Prosperity and the Planet. For this annual event, teams of college students consider all three as they design tangible, cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems. Students create; innovate; and strive to make a difference. P3 aims to engage and educate the next generation of scientists and engineers by highlighting the use of scientific principles in creating innovative technology-based projects that achieve the mutual goals of the Program.

P3 is a competitive grants program that provides teams of undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to receive awards to gain invaluable experience through classroom learning, laboratory, and field work to address environmental issues. Cumulatively, these projects promote a shift towards more environmentally benign products, processes, and systems with the aim of improving quality of life, promoting economic prosperity, and protecting the planet. P3 strives to continue this charge.

Historically, P3 has been a two-phased Program where teams received $25,000 for a one-year award. For our 20th anniversary, P3 has transitioned to a single-phase program providing teams up to $75,000 for a two-year award. The teams presenting their projects in 2024 mark the last group of P3 awards from this existing structure. The P3 program has reached more than 330 institutions across all 50 U.S. states including Puerto Rico. Since its inception in 2004, the program has awarded over $18 million to more than 800 total projects.

Learn more about the P3 past winners

Learn more about the P3 program.