How are Rounds One and Two of the GBIF Ebbe Nielsen Challenge different?

The GBIF Ebbe Nielsen Challenge has two distinct stages.

During Round One, any eligible entrant can create and submit a new, innovative application or use of GBIF-mediated data.Submissions for Round One are due on Monday, March 2, 2015, at 12 noon CET. The Challenge jury will then select between three and six finalists, each of whom will receive €1,000 and an invitation to compete in Round Two.

During Round Two, only the chosen finalists will compete, and they will have several months in which to further refine their Round One submissions. After the competition closes in late 2014, the jury will select and announce one First Prize winner and one Second Prize winner, who will receive €20,000 and €5,000, respectively.

The GBIF Secretariat will finalize details for Round Two of the Challenge, including the time and place for the announcement of the winners, prior to the close of Round One.

Do I have to use GBIF-mediated data?

Yes, but submissions do need not to rely on these data exclusively. An entrant can combine or ‘mash up’ other data sources as long as the submission relies on a substantial and meaningful use of GBIF-mediated data for its insights or outputs.

Does my entry have to be open source?

Ideally we would like entries to be open source, but each submission will remain the property of its participants, unless otherwise specified. By entering a submission, Challenge participants agree to grant GBIF a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable, royalty-free license to utilize their inventions.

Does my entry have to be publicly accessible?

Yes, your entry needs to be something that anyone can access using over the Internet, without any restrictions (e.g., they shouldn't have to log in).