The International Freezer Challenge is a worldwide research competition from January through July 1st every year, that is focused on safely streamlining sample management, increasing equipment life, and lowering overall energy consumption. The objective of the challenge is to optimize sample management in laboratories, where individual labs work to implement cold-storage practices that promote laboratory sustainability and energy conservation. At the end of the competition, the most successful labs are rewarded for their efforts in multiple categories, including academia, pharmaceutical and biotech, government, and clinical, hospital, private research, or other.

​ The Freezer Challenge at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign focuses on engaging, educating, and motivating researchers, faculty, staff, and students to promote safe and sustainable sample-storage best practices and leadership in environmental stewardship. The Freezer Challenge is supported and recognized by the OVCRI's office with Leadership in Environmental Stewardship Certificates for all participants and awards for the top scoring labs are presented by the EcoOlympics student group.

We started by participating in the International Freezer Challenge during the 2016-2017 academic year. We have been quite successful in the competition from the beginning, ranking first in the Academic Organization category for four consecutive years (2018-2021). Most recently, in 2024, we once again proudly earned first place, solidifying our commitment to excellence in sustainability.

Our successes can be contributed to collaboration with the EcoOlympics Student Organization, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Division of Research Safety & Innovation; the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE); the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC); and Facilities & Services.

​Learn more about the success of The Freezer Challenge at UIUC