GEEP Youth Innovation Challenge 2026 (Up To $1,000 USD Prize)

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GEEP Youth Innovation Challenge 2026. The Taiwan Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) and GEEP invite young people (15–30 years old) from around the world to propose an innovative solution to tackle marine issues, provide healthy habitats for marine life, protect human health, and support people of all ages to be engaged stewards to support marine environments.

They are looking for solutions that are informed by research, feasible and measurable, innovative, and address one of this year’s key topics using environmental education.

The Challenge

The Youth Innovation Challenge invites applicants from 15 to 30 years of age to propose a solution to address marine issues, including conservation, biodiversity, and marine debris, advance marine protection, and inspire communities to actively participate in ocean stewardship.
Solutions can incorporate a variety of approaches but must include environmental education.
Solutions must be innovative, feasible, and informed by research.

GEEP Youth Innovation Challenge Benefits

All eligible proposals will be evaluated by a panel of experts working at the intersection of environmental education, community engagement, and marine conservation. A total of 15 YIC finalists will be selected and will receive the following benefits:

An official YIC finalist certificate
Recognition through GEEP, NAAEE, and other global partners’ websites and social media pages
GEEP will select 3 winners from the 15 YIC finalists. Each winner will receive a $1,000 USD prize, in addition to all the benefits listed above, and will be invited to attend the YIC award ceremony in Taipei, Taiwan in September 2026 (all travel expenses covered).

Eligibility Criteria

The Youth Innovation Challenge is intended for young leaders and innovators aged 15–30. Your innovative solutions must provide a solution to one of the following key areas, using environmental education as a key component:

Taking personal action to reduce waste and marine debris, such as reducing and/or mitigating the effects of marine debris and other waste, including the monitoring, clean-up, and recycling of marine debris.
Developing marine debris strategies that address community and societal impact, including educating communities about how they can address these issues.
Advancing global marine protection through collaboration, partnerships, and policy.

GEEP Youth Innovation Challenge Program Timeline

April 2026: Applications open.
May 2026: NAAEE will host an applicant webinar sharing tips and tricks for submitting a strong
Youth Innovation Challenge video pitch and proposal.
Registration information and a recording of the webinar will be posted to the program webpage.
May 31, 2026: All applications due through Submittable by 11:59 PM U.S. Eastern Time (convert to your time zone).
June—July 2026: Applications reviewed by YIC expert panel.
August 2026: Finalists and winners notified. All applicants are welcome to request feedback about their submissions.
September 2026: Winners attend award ceremony in Taiwan.