Migration Data Challenge 2025
Uncover insights. Tell stories with data. Drive impact.
The Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge 2025 is an exciting opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to explore the intersection of migration, data, and policy. This competition invites participants from diverse disciplines—data science, economics, geography, psychology, sociology, and beyond—to analyze publicly available yet underutilized Statistics Canada datasets and generate meaningful insights into disparities in geographic proximity to services and facilities among immigrants, temporary residents, and Canadian-born individuals.
Key dates
Registration deadline: April 4, 2025
Challenge kickoff event: May 2, 2025
Challenge week: May 2-9, 2025
Flagship event for semi-finalists: May 29, 2025
Why Participate?
This challenge is more than a competition: it is a hands-on learning experience designed to help students develop essential analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills while addressing real-world migration issues. Participants will:
✔️ Analyze Complex Data – Work with curated datasets prepared by Dr. Feng Hou, principal researcher at Statistics Canada (external link) .
✔️ Visualize Key Insights – Use data storytelling and visualization techniques to present findings effectively.
✔️ Explore Geographic Disparities – Use innovative software to examine spatial access differences in employment, education, and healthcare.
✔️ Gain Industry & Policy Exposure – Present research to an expert panel from government, industry, and academia, expanding career opportunities.
Who Should Apply?
This challenge is open to students from all disciplines interested in migration research, data science, or public policy, from any of Bridging Divides partner institutions: Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta and Concordia University. Whether you're a seasoned data analyst or new to working with datasets, this is your chance to make an impact, build skills, and connect with professionals in the field.
Competition Structure
Data Distribution: On May 2, 2025, participants will receive simplified datasets and guidelines to jump-start their analysis.
Timeframe: Teams will have 7 days to complete their research and submit findings.
Deliverables: A final report and presentation including analyses, visualizations, and key insights
Final Presentations: 10 teams Semi-finalists will present to a distinguished panel of interdisciplinary judges, in a virtual flagship event that will be streamed internationally.
Awards & Recognition
Best Overall Submission – $4,000
Best Use of External Data – $3,000
Best Visualization – $2,000
Audience Choice Award – $1,000
Judging Criteria
Relevance: Addressing the research focus and offering meaningful insights.
Analytical Rigor: Quality of analysis, methodology, and interpretation.
Innovation: Creativity in answering research questions and presenting findings.
Clarity: Effective communication of results through writing, maps, and other visuals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You have to submit a registration form (external link, opens in new window) .
Each participating university—University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia, and Concordia University—has their own registration page:
- UofA registration page (external link)
- UBC registration page (external link)
- Concordia registration page (external link)
Each team member needs to register individually. If you have a team already formed don’t forget to list it in the registration form. Please name your team. We will use your team name throughout the competition.
Applications are due April 4, 2025 at 11:59pm ET. Note that spots are limited. Applying does not guarantee a spot.
The Migration Data Challenge 2025 is open to any undergraduate or graduate student registered full-time or part-time at Toronto Metropolitan University during the 2024-25 academic year. Applicants from Bridging Divides partners: the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta and Concordia University, must apply through their home institutions. All applicant teams must be composed of students from the same university.
Domestic undergraduate students at Toronto Metropolitan University are eligible to receive a $525 participation stipend through the Experience Venture Zone. Unfortunately, international students do not qualify. Eligible students will be automatically entered to receive stipend funding.
Not at all. We welcome multi-disciplinary teams, but it would be an asset if at least one member of your team has a background in computer science or statistics.
Each team is made up of three (3) applicants from the same institution. We encourage participants to start forming teams before the event. If you do not list a team on your application, you will be placed into a team after registration by the organizers. Given the nature of the challenge, we recommend you make your team interdisciplinary.
Yes, the Migration Data Challenge 2025 will begin virtually on May 2, 2025, from 12-2 pm ET, with an introduction to the competition and the datasets. Teams will then have one week (until May 9, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET) to complete their research and submit their findings. There will also be a Flagship Event on May 29, 2025, from 12-2 pm ET, where the top 10 semi-finalist teams will present their final reports to a panel of judges. In order to participate, you must be available for both the May 2nd session and the May 29th presentation event.
Yes! Prizes are awarded for teams based on their analyses and presentations during the competition. In total, $10,000 will be awarded to the winning teams.
Yes, durng the challenge week participants can book time with mentors from the Bridging Divides research team, civil society, and industry. Mentors will provide limited support based on their availability and areas of expertise.
Contact Maggie Perzyna (mperzyna@torontomu.ca) if you have any questions.
Interested in partnering with us?
Become a sponsor of the Data Migration Challenge to support student innovation gain, valuable exposure, and contribute to addressing critical migration issues through data-driven insights. Send us an email to explore partnership opportunities!
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