National Innovation Challenge 2026 launching soon
The competition enables students to showcase their vision, proposing solutions for industry challenges.
The theme of the competition is: Sustainability and AI
This competition isn’t just about ideas; it’s about shaping the future. Challenge your mind. Change the world.
Take up the challenge!
What's your big idea?
We are looking for projects that champion innovation and sustainability.
The challenge enables students to submit one of the following:
- A concept
- Business Idea or
- Design Prototype
These will outline and propose solutions for current and future industry challenges.
The initiative is part of our groundbreaking work with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Industrial Liaison Program (ILP).
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How it works
Full-time students can work on their projects as individuals or in groups (maximum of three).
They will be able to enter ONE of two categories including:
- Secondary Schools: early registration - are able to register their interest now
- General Further Education (GFE), Sixth Form and Institute of Technology (IoT) students: early registration - are able to register their interest now
Further details about the competition will be provided within the information pack (coming soon).Below is an outline of what we expect from each category.
Create a sustainable concept
- Define your purpose and scope – What is the problem you are trying to solve?
- Who are your target stakeholders/users?
- What are your objectives for success?
- What are the key features and benefits?
Develop a business idea- An initiative that can lead to services and/or products that generate income
- Target market: who will engage with your idea?
- What are the challenges to consider with current services or products?
- Which industry are you interested in to take your business idea to market?
Design your prototype- A preliminary product or sample model that is created to test ideas/concepts, functionality, usability and feasibility
- Your prototype could be on paper, a wireframe, an interactive model or animation
- Early design concepts for mass production and/or scalability are welcome
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Still not sure where to begin?
Here are some ideas you may want to consider to help you kick-start your project:
- How to contribute to delivering a healthy plant
- Reducing carbon footprint
- Strategies to support NetZero
- Technology to drive the sustainability agenda
- Sustainable impact to support Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
Once the competition has been officially launched you will receive an information pack, for those schools and colleges who have registered their interest. -
The prize
The winners will embark on a life-changing educational and cultural adventure to the USA.
The National Innovation Challenge will provide students with an unprecedented opportunity to gain new technical skills, work across borders, improve their personal thought process and develop international networks.
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Key dates (subject to change)
- National Innovation Challenge launch w/c Monday 24 November 2025
- Information pack published in December 2025 to registered participants
- All competition entries must be submitted by Friday 13 March 2026
- Shortlisting will commence in March 2026 with a final submission from participants in May 2026
- Awards evening June/July 2026
- Winners to visit USA in September/October 2026 (to be confirmed).
Our NIC 2025 winners experience
If you are interested in joining us on this incredible journey by sponsoring the National Innovation Challenge 2026 click here for further details and watch the video below.
Schools, FE Colleges, Sixth Forms and IoTs register now
Organisations who are interested in the challenge can register now:
Terms and conditions
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions page for further information.
Further information
Bookmark this page to keep up to date with all competition details.
Details are subject to change.
Students from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are eligible to enter this competition.
The judges’ decisions are final, and no additional correspondence will be entered into once the winners have been announced for each category.
Due to the anticipated volume of entries individual feedback will not be supplied, unless your entry has been shortlisted.
