Global Climate Challenge 2027

Deadline: 2nd November 2026, 12:00 pm EST.

The 2027 Global Climate Challenge, hosted by MIT Solve, seeks innovative solutions to address pressing climate issues through technology. This competition invites participants to propose tech-based solutions for decarbonization and climate adaptation.

MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions that harness technology to address human-focused and difficult-to-solve aspects of the climate crisis. We have a particular interest in 2027 for solutions that:

• Shape low-carbon, climate-resilient cities through better construction and retrofitting, inclusive mobility, and more circular materials
• Protect people, livelihoods, and essential services from extreme heat, floods, drought, wildfire, or other climate hazards through infrastructure design, resilient water and cooling systems, or risk management approaches
• Transform agrifood systems to be climate-resilient, low-emission, or nature-positive, including through stronger regional supply chains
• Restore and sustainably use ocean and coastal systems, including fisheries, coastal protection, or renewable energy

Prizes

• MIT Solve – Solver Award

All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.

• The AI for Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $150,000 will be awarded to at least one Solver team from the 2027 Global Challenges.

• The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize seeks to accelerate the development of solutions that will prepare people for today’s opportunities and the workplace of future, advance new ways of working, and drive economic impact within communities. Funded by Citizens, the prize furthers the company’s commitment to helping communities meet today’s demands while positioning themselves well for the future. A $100,000 prize will be awarded to at least one US-based Solver team selected for the 2027 Global Challenges.

• The Community Catalyst Prize

The Community Catalyst Prize is open to solutions strengthening communities across the United States by expanding financial opportunity or improving housing access and affordability. Eligible solutions might help people increase income, reduce debt, or build savings and credit, or help households stay housed or access quality affordable homes. Solutions must be based in the United States or have active implementation there. Up to $200,000 will be awarded to a team or teams selected for the 2027 Global Challenges, or from Solve’s existing portfolio of alumni teams.

• The Crescent Enterprises AI for Social Innovation Prize

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize supports groundbreaking solutions that leverage data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to tackle critical global social challenges. Sponsored by Crescent Enterprises – a diversified conglomerate spanning industries such as ports and logistics, power and engineering, food and beverage, life sciences and business aviation – the prize reflects the company’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and meaningful global impact.

Up to $100,000 will be awarded to as many as four Solver teams addressing the 2027 Global Challenges or selected from Solve’s portfolio of alumni teams. This prize aims to recognise and accelerate the growth of transformative solutions, driving positive change for a better future.

• The E Ink Innovation Prize

The E Ink Innovation Prize is open to solutions that address problems of global importance in any of Solve’s areas of impact, with particular interest in sustainability, education, or intercultural understanding. The prize is funded by E Ink, a corporation that advances healthy solutions and a sustainable future using ultra-low power, daylight readable displays. $100,000 will be awarded to one Solver team selected for the 2027 Global Challenges. E Ink may also opt to provide materials and technical support to its prize recipients if they plan to use ePaper materials.

• The Morgridge Family Foundation Innovation Prize

More details coming soon

• Philips Foundation Social Impact Award

The Philips Foundation Social Impact Award is open to scalable solutions that improve access to quality healthcare in maternal and child health and cardiovascular disease for underserved communities. The award reflects Philips Foundation’s mission to enable equitable healthcare access globally through meaningful innovation, strategic partnerships, and catalytic funding. $100,000 will be awarded to one scale-ready solution selected for the 2027 Global Challenge or from Solve’s portfolio of alumni teams.

• The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize is open to solutions supporting innovation for coasts, oceans, and the broader blue economy. The prize is funded by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to protecting and progressing planetary health. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to one Solver team.

• The Schmidt Marine Wavemaker’s Prize

The Schmidt Marine Wavemaker’s Prize is open to scale-ready solutions that use innovative marine technology to restore and protect the health of the world’s oceans. The prize is funded by Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, a program of the Schmidt Family Foundation which helps move promising marine technology ideas toward economic sustainability and global impact. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to one team selected for MIT Solve’s 2027 Global Challenges.

• The Seeding the Future Prize for Climate-Positive and Equitable Food Systems

The Climate-Positive and Equitable Food Systems Prize, sponsored by the Seeding the Future Van Lengerich Foundation, recognizes high-impact innovations that advance equitable, resilient, and climate-positive food systems worldwide. The Seeding the Future Foundation is a nonprofit organization that seeds and supports scalable, high-impact initiatives that advance sustainable food systems and equitable access to safe, nutritious, and trusted food globally. A prize of $150,000 will be awarded to at least one Solver team selected for MIT Solve’s 2027 Global Challenges.

Judging Criteria

• Alignment with the Challenge: The solution addresses the challenge that has been set forth using technology.
• Potential for Impact: The planned solution implementation has the potential to impact the intended population.
• Feasibility: The team has a realistic, practical plan for implementing the solution, and it is feasible in the given context.
• Innovative Approach: The solution includes a new technology, a new application of technology, a new business model, or a new process for solving the Challenge.
• Human-Centered Design: The solution is designed with and for underserved communities, and the solution team demonstrates that they have the experience, relationships, data, and knowledge to develop and deliver a successful solution.
• Scalability: The solution has a plan for financial viability and the potential to be scaled to affect the lives of more people.
• Partnership Potential: The applicant clearly explains how the solution would benefit from the broad range of resources that the Solve community is positioned to provide.
• Technical Feasibility: The applicant has provided convincing evidence that the data/analytics underpinning the solution have been built and function as they claim they do, even if only proof-of-concept.

For more information and application.