Competition Guidelines

Teams can choose their own SAS learning software, data and analytical question(s) for the competition.

• SAS software allowed:
  • SAS^® Viya^® for Learners
  • SAS Viya Workbench for Learners*
  • SAS OnDemand for Academics
  • University-licensed SAS software

• Data and analytical question(s):
  • Student teams may choose their own data set and pose their own analytical question(s).
  • Data sets must be publicly available, and entries must include a link to the data. See the FAQ for examples of data set sources.
  • As part of the registration process, each team must select one category under which their entry will be judged. The categories are:
    - Business and Economy (ex: banking, insurance, stock markets, startups, risk and fraud).
    - Health, Science and Engineering (ex: disease prevention, climate and environmental impact, transportation, societal good).
    - Culture, Lifestyle and Entertainment (ex: language and communication, consumer behavior, sports and gaming, fun).

  
  Teams must select the category that best fits their project when registering – this choice is final and can't be changed later. Entries will be judged only within the selected category, so choosing the right one is important. Be sure to review the category descriptions carefully before making your selection.

  
  
  

* SAS Viya Workbench for Learners is a development environment that supports SAS, Python and R. Curiosity Cup participants who use Viya Workbench for Learners may use Python and R but are encouraged to also show how SAS code or SAS Viya were used to advance their analysis or to visualize their results.

Important Dates

• Registration opens Dec. 1, 2026.

• Registration closes Jan. 31, 2027.
  

• Papers can be submitted between Dec. 15, 2026, and Feb. 21, 2027.
  • Finalists moving on to round two will be selected and notified on or around March 5, 2027.

• Video presentations for round two participants are due by March 22, 2027.

• Winners will be announced around April 15, 2027.

Awards

All finalist teams will receive a SAS digital badge acknowledging Finalist status.

• A winning and runner-up team will be declared in each of the three categories:
  • Business and Economy (ex: banking, insurance, stock markets, startups, risk and fraud).
  • Health, Science and Engineering (ex: disease prevention, climate and environmental impact, transportation, societal good).
  • Culture, Lifestyle and Entertainment (ex: language and communication, consumer behavior, sports and gaming, fun).

• Each student member of the top team in each category may select one of the following prizes:
  • Apple iPad (approximate MSRP: US$449).
  • Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones (approximate MSRP: $349).

  * Prizes are subject to availability. In the event of a supply shortage, a comparable prize option of similar value will be offered. Only one first-place prize will be given to an individual winner.

• Additionally, each student from a winning team will receive:
  • Twelve months of access to the SAS content subscription of their choice.
  • SAS digital badge acknowledging finalist status.

• Each student member of the runner-up teams in each domain will receive:
  • Twelve months of access to the SAS content subscription of their choice.
  • SAS digital badge acknowledging finalist status.

• Complete judging criteria will be available in the terms and conditions and the FAQs as soon as they are finalized. 

Judging

Teams have two rounds to highlight their skills:

• Round 1: Teams submit a two-to-five-page paper that conducts a data analysis using SAS technology and describes results to a general audience.
  • Judging is based on data preparation, data analysis, data presentation and overall paper structure.
  • Up to 15 teams will be chosen to compete as finalists in round 2.
  • All papers must be submitted using the approved paper template, which teams will be emailed following registration. Only papers using that template will be accepted.

• Round 2: Teams selected for round 2 will submit a video presentation describing their data analysis as if given to an audience of analytical stakeholders.
  • Judging is based on presentation organization, demonstrated subject knowledge, use of visuals, presentation mechanics and message.

• Complete judging criteria will be available in the terms and conditions and the FAQs as soon as they are finalized.