LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Daniel Chavez Moran Award launched today with its first category in the area of Health, Sciences and Technology. The award welcomes all youths who live in the United States aged 12 to 18 to submit their best ideas on how to combat the serious problem of poverty in Latin America. The contest will run through December 31^st, 2012.

Full contest details, terms and conditions as well as an application form can be found at http://www.danielchavezmoranaward.com.

A panel of judges will select the winning applicants that demonstrate the most original ideas that have a realistic chance of being implemented. Prizes awarded are as follows:

Grand Prize - $5,000, Certificate of Award

Runner Up - $2,000, Certificate of Runner Up

Third Place - $1,000, Certificate of Participation

Besides the monetary prizes, winners also will be featured in promotional and press outreach. The Award is a great way to get today's youths thinking outside the box on how to solve traditional problems.

Future categories to be announced may include Arts & Music, Public Policy and Social Media. The next category is slated to be open for applications in early January 2013.

Mr. Daniel Chavez Moran is the founder of Grupo Vidanta, one of the largest developers of resorts, golf courses and real estate in Mexico and repeat winner of Best Places to Work in Mexico. He also founded Vidanta Foundation, a prominent non-profit institution whose primary aim is the reduction of poverty in Latin America through the promotion of economic development, social sciences and culture.

About the Daniel Chavez Moran Award

The Daniel Chavez Moran Award focuses on youths between the ages of 12 and 18. The Award seeks to harness ideas from America's best and brightest youths. The problems of poverty continue to plague many nations in Latin America. The Award welcomes innovative ideas and forward thinking for new ways to tackle the problem of poverty

Daniel Chavez Moran, now retired from the development of hotels and resorts, founded Grupo Vidanta in 1974 after graduating from The University of Guadalajara with a degree in Civil Engineering. He retired in 2005 to found Fundacion Vidanta (originally named Fundacion Grupo Mayan) and focus on philanthropy. Mr. Chavez Moran is also the founder of Fundacion Delia Moran A.C., which is focused on helping children grow up in a healthy environment. While no longer active in Grupo Vidanta itself, Mr. Chavez Moran's efforts in the non-profit sector help promote the name of the companies he originally founded.

Learn more at www.danielchavezmoranaward.com.

Media Contact: Edward Yang, Edward@FirecrackerPR.com, http://www.FirecrackerPR.com