NAREIT and two partners are sponsoring the Real Confidence University Portfolio Challenge: a competition where teams from 15 universities will attempt to create the best-performing real estate portfolio. As part of the challenge, each team will get $1B to allocate between pubic equity, private equity, public debt and privat debt. The winning university will receive $50k for use within its real estate or business program, or toward scholarships. NAREIT CEO Steven Wechsler (here) says he hopes the challenge will help encourage the study of real estate and its role in investment portfolios. NAREIT is sponsoring the challenge with Altus Group and the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries. The 15 universities competing for the prize include: College of Charleston; Florida International University; Georgetown University; Georgia State University; Harvard University; Johns Hopkins University; Lehigh University; Middle Tennessee State University; Pennsylvania State University; Texas A&M University; Texas Christian University; University of Chicago; University of Denver; University of San Diego; and University of Wisconsin. [REIT]