Fourteen years ago, USC, Duke University and Olin College launched a movement in engineering education.

That movement, the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, has played a key role in reimagining 21st-century engineers. Adopted at nearly 100 engineering schools, the program encourages students to leverage their skills to tackle the National Academy of Engineering’s 14 Grand Challenges, including securing cyberspace, providing access to clean water and making solar energy economical.

Now, the program is coming to USC Viterbi after years being overseen first by the NAE and later by Arizona State University. “We want to create the 2.0 version of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program,” said Dean Yannis C. Yortsos.