Deadline: May 21, 2026
Applications are open for the MIT Solve 10th Anniversary Global Challenge 2026. For the 10th Anniversary Global Challenge, they are seeking 10 exceptional solutions built for the next decade: solving urgent problems and proving credible pathways to scale, whether through markets, policy, procurement, or platforms. They are interested in innovations that put people first, and pair technological ingenuity with trust and durable economics.
Across health, climate, learning, and economic prosperity, solutions must respond to rapidly changing realities and operate at the speed of need. They are particularly seeking innovations that advance:
- A zero-carbon, equitable world and practical adaptation for communities already living with climate impacts
- Economic opportunity, security and mobility through jobs and livelihoods, financial inclusion, and small business growth
- Better health outcomes and stronger systems-care delivery, workforce, supply chains, prevention, and resilience
- Learning for all—delivering measurable learning gains in a modern world, particularly for those with different learning needs
- Indigenous communities in strengthening sovereignty and meeting their social, environmental, and economic goals
Solve’s 10th Anniversary Global Challenge is designed to surface the innovations that can define the next decade. Together with their network of partners, resources, and connections, they are betting big on the solutions that will solve complex global challenges and fix broken systems in order to reach millions more.
Prizes
- 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 one Solver team from the 2026 10th Anniversary Global Challenge.
- 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 2026 10th Anniversary Global Challenge, or from Solve’s existing portfolio of alumni teams. E Ink may also opt to provide materials and technical support to its prize recipients if they plan to use ePaper materials.
- 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 10th Anniversary Global Challenge, or from Solve’s existing portfolio of alumni teams.
- The Collegium Prize for Innovation: The Collegium Prize for Innovation is open to scale-ready solutions using innovative technology to improve mental health and/or transform mental health care and services for communities around the world. The prize is made possible by Collegium, a Boston-area pharmaceutical company passionate about improving the health and well-being of the communities where they live and work, and making an impact beyond their portfolio of medicines. One selected Solver team from the incoming 2026 class or from Solve’s alumni portfolio will be awarded $100,000. Collegium is the proud MIT Solve Global Health Anchor Supporter.
- 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 $100,000 will be awarded to one Solver team selected for MIT Solve’s 10th Anniversary Global Challenge.
Eligibility
- This Challenge is for tech-based social impact solutions that are already growing or operating at scale.
- They welcome solutions on any topic that helps improve social or environmental outcomes. They expect that most solutions will connect to at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators.
Application
For more information, visit MIT Solve 10th Anniversary Global Challenge.
