The Government Finance Case Challenge is a virtual academic competition organized by AGA to promote understanding of government transparency, accountability, and data-driven communication. Open to undergraduate and graduate students, the challenge provides a real-world opportunity to engage with public financial data and build a Citizen-Centric Report (CCR) for a selected U.S. state, city, or county.
Over the course of two and a half weeks, student teams analyze financial and performance information to create a CCR that translates complex data into an accessible format for the public. The competition enhances student awareness of the importance of government accountability, the availability of public data, and career opportunities in the public sector.
A panel of government finance professionals judges all submissions. Finalist teams are invited to present their findings through a mock government meeting video. Undergraduate and graduate teams are judged separately.
Members of the winning teams and their faculty advisors each receive a $1,500 scholarship.
2025 Key Dates
August 4: Registration opens
September 14: Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET
September 15: Case information emailed to student teams
October 5: First round submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET
October 27: Finalists notified
November 16: Final round submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET
December 12: Winning teams notified
Case Challenge Rules
Student Teams
- Each team may include up to three students and one faculty advisor.
- All student participants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at the college or university they represent.
- A maximum of three teams may participate from any one institution.
- Undergraduate teams will compete only against other undergraduate teams; graduate teams will compete only against other graduate teams.
First Round Submissions
- Each team must develop a Citizen-Centric Report (CCR) following AGA’s official CCR guidelines. Submissions will be evaluated based on adherence to these guidelines. However, teams are encouraged to apply their own judgment and creativity—there is no single formula for a successful report.
- In addition to the CCR, teams must submit a 2–4 page essay explaining their decision-making process. This should detail the criteria used to determine what to include or exclude from the CCR. Include team member names and your college/university in the document header.
- Student teams may use primary and secondary sources. All primary research must be conducted by team members. Sources must be cited in MLA format, and all information presented must be factually accurate. Submissions will be reviewed for accuracy.
- Late submissions will be penalized one point per day beyond the deadline.
Final Round Submissions
- Finalist teams will have the opportunity to revise and resubmit their CCRs based on first-round feedback. Judges will evaluate how well teams incorporate this feedback into their final submission.
- Finalist teams must also submit a video presentation (20 minutes or less) to showcase their findings. Presentations may use any creative format and will be judged on both content and presentation quality.
AGA reserves the right to cancel the program if fewer than ten teams enter the competition.
Questions?
Email ccr@agacgfm.org