MIT Solve’s Global Challenges 2027 for innovators Worldwide (Over $1 Million Prize Pool in Unrestricted Funding)

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Applications are open for MIT Solve’s Global Challenges 2027. Are you working on the new idea that will change how your community can thrive and change what’s possible for the future? Helping to tackle a complex issue in climate, health, education, economic opportunity, or Indigenous sovereignty? this opportunity is for you.In order to find and scale the best ideas to the most intractable issues of our time, MIT Solve launch open innovation challenges. MIT Solve built a research-backed platform and a proven methodology that seeks tech-based solutions from anyone, anywhere in the world. Their reach is vast, with tens of thousands of applicants from nearly every corner of the world.

Lasting change starts with community-driven solutions. They are looking for the people building them. Winners access a prize pool of over $1 million in unrestricted funding. Their Global Challenges accept solutions at all levels. Whether you have a prototype, pilot, or a solution working at scale, we want to hear from you.

Global Challenge Focus Areas

They are seeking solutions across five areas:

Global Climate Challenge:
- MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions that harness technology to address human-focused and difficult-to-solve aspects of the climate crisis.
Global Health Challenge
- MIT Solve seeks exceptional technology-driven solutions that increase access to good health and healthcare for all
Global Learning Challenge
- MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions that wield technology to address and close global education gaps
Global Economic Prosperity Challenge
- MIT Solve seeks exceptional technology-driven solutions that expand economic security and opportunity
Indigenous Communities Fellowship
- MIT Solve seeks exceptional innovators supporting technology-enabled solutions for and with Indigenous communities across the United States and Canada

MIT Solve Global Challenge 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 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 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.

MIT Solve’s Global Challenges Benefits

Funding
- Access to a pool of +$1M in prize funding at selection and additional funding opportunities throughout the program and after.
Nine-month support program
- Tailored capacity-building workshops that may cover marketing, public relations, monitoring and evaluation, business model, and more;
- Leadership coaching;
- Access to in-kind and pro bono resources such as software licenses and legal services;
- Monitoring and evaluation support;
- A powerful network of impact-minded leaders across industries and sectors, including MIT
- Attendance at events throughout the year for opportunities to pitch and connect;
- Exposure in the media and potential speaking opportunities at conferences;
- Connections with current and past Solver teams for peer-to-peer support, inspiration, and learning

Eligibility Criteria

Solve seeks innovative, human-centered, tech-based solutions to our Global Challenges.
Through open innovation, Solve is looking for a diverse portfolio of solutions across geography and stage of development.
They encourage people of all backgrounds to submit applications.
MIT Solve adheres to the principles of nondiscrimination with respect to its programmatic activities and does not make any decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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.