Cleantech International Challenge 2027 in UK: Win Up to £20,000 for Sustainable Innovation
Applications are officially open for the Cleantech International Challenge 2027 in the United Kingdom. This prestigious global competition invites undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students from around the world to transform breakthrough research and innovative ideas into commercial, climate-friendly solutions. Designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world environmental impact, the challenge offers participants access to expert mentorship, networking with global investors, and a share of a £40,000 total prize pool.
Designation
This program is tailored for currently enrolled Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students across all academic disciplines. Whether you are an engineer, a business strategist, a computer scientist, or an environmental researcher, the challenge welcomes both individual applicants seeking collaborators and fully established student teams.
Key Details Overview
| Program Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Cleantech International Challenge 2027 |
| Host Location | United Kingdom (Finals at London Business School) |
| Target Audience | Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD Students |
| Eligible Nationalities | All Nationalities (Global) |
| Total Prize Pool | £40,000 (£20,000 main prizes) |
| Individual Application Deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Team Application Deadline | 15 January 2027 |
Scholarship & Challenge Description
The Cleantech Challenge serves as a global catalyst for student-led climate innovation. It provides a platform where technical researchers, entrepreneurial minds, and climate advocates collaborate to build scalable solutions for urgent ecological threats.
Participants are encouraged to present novel solutions addressing climate change mitigation, resource efficiency, pollution, and sustainable infrastructure. You do not need a fully developed startup or an established team to get started; individual applicants can register to be paired with complementary teammates based on technical and business skills.
Finalist teams receive tailored coaching from industry leaders, cleantech investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs to refine their business models and technology readiness. The competition culminates in an in-person event at London Business School, where participants present their pitch directly to prominent investors and climate experts.
Research Areas
The challenge accepts proposals across a broad range of environmental and technological domains, including:
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Water security, purification, and wastewater treatment.
- Waste Management & Recycling: Plastic mitigation, municipal waste innovation, and resource recovery.
- Circular Economy: Sustainable materials, industrial symbiosis, and life-cycle extension.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Carbon capture, emission tracking, and atmospheric solutions.
- Environmental Sustainability: Biodiversity protection, sustainable agriculture, and food systems.
- Renewable Energy: Clean power generation, energy storage, smart grids, and efficiency.
Location
The main mentorship and proposal refining phases take place virtually, allowing international students to participate seamlessly from their home institutions. Selected finalist teams will travel to the United Kingdom to attend the hands-on bootcamps and live pitch finals hosted at London Business School in London, UK.
Eligibility & Qualifications
To qualify for the Cleantech International Challenge, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral (PhD) program at a recognized university worldwide.
- Demonstrate a commitment to solving pressing environmental and climate challenges.
- Open to students from all academic backgrounds, including:
- Environmental Science & Environmental Engineering
- Chemical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering
- Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technology
- Computer Science, Data Analytics, and AI
- Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, and Economics
- Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems
- Individual applicants without an existing team or idea are eligible to apply and find partners through the program’s matching portal.
Last Date for Apply
Ensure your application is submitted before the applicable deadline listed below:
- Individuals seeking team members: 30 November 2026
- Established teams: 15 January 2027
- Cleantech Finals (London, UK): 27–28 April 2027
How to Apply
Applying for the Cleantech International Challenge is a straightforward online process. Follow these steps to complete your submission:
- Define the specific environmental or climate problem your project addresses.
- Outline your proposed technology or sustainable business model, emphasizing its potential commercial feasibility and ecological impact.
- Register as an individual applicant to connect with prospective team members, or submit directly as an established team.
- Submit your official registration through the official portal.
To start your application and review full guidelines, visit the Official Cleantech Challenge Application Page.