The Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) invites submissions for the 2026 iOme Challenge. It offers a rigorous platform for undergraduate economics students to apply economic policy principles to the "triple pillar" of US retirement security: Social Security, employer-sponsored plans, and personal savings.

National Research Recognition: The winning team shares a $5,000 cash prize, and their faculty advisor receives a $1,500 honorarium.

Policy Impact & Presentation: The winning team is invited to Washington, DC, in June 2026 to present their findings and policy recommendations at a national symposium.

Mentored Research: The competition facilitates a collaborative partnership between students and faculty, encouraging high-level academic mentorship.

Submission Deadline: The deadline for formal policy papers is May 10, 2026.

Full submission guidelines and previous winning papers—which serve as excellent examples of student-led economic research—are available at www.iOmeChallenge.org.