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About the NAIOP University Challenge

NAIOP (the Commercial Real Estate Development Association) is one of North America’s leading commercial real estate organizations. It provides advocacy, education, mentoring, student scholarships, business and networking opportunities. It has local chapters across the country including one here in San Diego, NAIOP San Diego. NAIOP chapters across the country sponsor an annual competition, the University Challenge, to provide students with an opportunity to compete in a head-to-head real estate competition. Here in San Diego, teams from UC San Diego, the University of San Diego and San Diego State University compete to develop the highest and best use for a real, development site in San Diego County. Teams address issues such as financing, sustainable development, market analysis, affordable housing, site design, transit-oriented development, community benefit, entitlements, feasibility and investment returns. A judging panel of nine senior level commercial real estate professionals serves as a mock investment committee. Each team must defend their development proposal privately in front of the committee and then present it to an audience of real estate professionals, industry leaders, university faculty members and fellow students.

Applications for the 2026 NAIOP are due Monday 11/10 at 11:59pm. 

The NAIOP University Challenge (U-Challenge) will take place from January - April 2026. This is an opportunity for students to participate in a case study competition that requires knowledge and skills in real estate and development, urban planning, and urban design. UC San Diego will enter one team comprised of eight students. If you would like to submit an application, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
  1.  Must be a UC San Diego undergraduate student with 90 units of credit or above (preference will be given to seniors).
  2. Must be enrolled at least part-time during Winter and Spring Quarters 2026.
  3. Must be dedicated to working in a collaborative environment.
Students selected for the team will be required to enroll in USP 159A in Winter Quarter 2026 for a letter grade (4 units) and USP 159B in Spring Quarter 2025 for a letter grade (2 units). 

For more information about the U-Challenge, we will be holding an optional information session on Zoom on Thursday, November 6 from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. The session will be held on Zoom using this link:  https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/97005093577. You do not need to attend the information session in order to apply.

Applications are due on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. If you have any questions, contact Professor Mirle Rabinowitz Bussell (mbussell@ucsd.edu).

Application link: https://bit.ly/NAIOP26

Past Teams