Have you built a solution to a major global problem, but need funding, partnerships and a platform to take it further?
The MIT Solve Global Challenges 2027 is now accepting applications from innovators around the world. Run by MIT Solve, the programme looks for technology-based solutions addressing some of the world’s most urgent challenges in climate, learning, health and economic prosperity.
Selected teams become MIT Solve Solvers and receive a $10,000 grant, along with access to Solve’s global network of partners, funders, mentors and other innovators. Additional challenge-specific prizes can provide substantially more funding.
The opportunity is open to anyone, anywhere in the world, and applications can be submitted by individuals or teams.
Application deadline: November 2, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Global Innovation Challenge / Grant
- Organizer: MIT Solve
- Location: Global
- Mode: Online / Global
- Nationality: All nationalities
- Minimum Age: No general age requirement stated
- Minimum Degree Required: No specific degree requirement
- Work Experience: No specific minimum work-experience requirement
- Who Can Apply: Individuals and teams developing eligible technology-based solutions
- Funding: $10,000 Solver grant for every selected Solver team
- Additional Prizes: Challenge-specific prizes, including prizes of up to $150,000
- Application Fee: No application fee stated
- Application Deadline: November 2, 2026, 12:00 PM ET
What Is MIT Solve?
MIT Solve is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that uses open innovation challenges to identify and support solutions to difficult global problems.
The programme looks beyond conventional startup competitions. Solve is interested in solutions that combine technology, human-centered design and the potential to create meaningful impact at scale.
Since its launch, Solve says it has run more than 110 challenges and received more than 30,000 solutions from more than 190 countries
The 2027 Global Challenges are designed to identify innovators whose solutions can address major gaps in areas affecting communities around the world.
What Are the 2027 Global Challenges?
For 2027, MIT Solve is running several Global Challenges.
Global Climate Challenge
The 2027 Global Climate Challenge asks:
How can we equitably adapt to a warming climate and decarbonize how we live and eat?
MIT Solve is particularly interested in solutions addressing:
- Low-carbon and climate-resilient cities
- Construction and building retrofits
- Inclusive mobility
- Circular materials
- Extreme heat, floods, drought and wildfire
- Resilient water and cooling systems
- Climate-resilient agriculture and food systems
- Ocean and coastal systems
- Climate adaptation and risk management
Technology can include areas such as robotics, materials science, engineering and data tools.
Global Learning Challenge
The 2027 Global Learning Challenge focuses on improving educational outcomes and closing global education gaps.
The challenge explores how technology can help expand access to quality learning while ensuring that new tools, including AI, strengthen rather than undermine meaningful learning and relationships between students and educators.
Solutions can address the needs of learners, educators and communities facing barriers to quality education.
Global Health Challenge
The 2027 Global Health Challenge focuses on using technology to make good health and quality care more equitable.
This is an opportunity for innovators developing technology-enabled approaches that can improve health outcomes, access to care and the resilience of health systems.
Global Economic Prosperity Challenge
The 2027 Global Economic Prosperity Challenge asks:
How can we expand access to quality work, affordable housing, and financial resilience so that more people can build lasting prosperity?
The challenge focuses on three major areas:
- Financial resilience
- Access to quality work
- Affordable and adequate housing
Indigenous Communities Fellowship
There is also a 2027 Indigenous Communities Fellowship, but its eligibility is different from the main Global Challenges.
It is specifically focused on Indigenous innovators in the United States and Canada developing technology-enabled and culturally grounded solutions for their communities.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that the Indigenous Communities Fellowship is open globally simply because the main MIT Solve challenges are.
Who Can Apply?
One of the strongest aspects of MIT Solve is its broad eligibility.
Anyone, anywhere can apply to the Global Challenges.
Applications can come from:
- Individuals
- Startups
- Nonprofits
- Social enterprises
- Research teams
- Other organizations developing eligible solutions
There is no specific academic degree requirement for applying.
Your solution and its potential impact matter more than whether you hold a particular qualification.
What Kind of Solutions Is MIT Solve Looking For?
MIT Solve is looking for solutions that demonstrate more than an interesting idea.
Strong applications should show:
Innovative Approach
The solution should introduce a new technology, a new application of technology, a new business model or a new process for addressing the challenge.
People-First Design
The solution should be designed with and for underserved communities.
Applicants should demonstrate that they have relevant experience, relationships, knowledge or data that enable them to understand and serve the communities they are working with.
Scalability
MIT Solve looks for solutions with a credible pathway toward financial viability and the ability to reach more people.
Partnership Potential
Applicants should be able to explain how becoming part of the MIT Solve community could help their solution grow.
Technical Feasibility
For solutions using novel technology, applicants should be able to demonstrate that the technology has been built and works as claimed.
This means that a concept alone is generally not enough for most of the Global Challenges.
How Much Funding Can You Receive?
Every team selected as a Solver through the 2027 Global Challenges receives a:
$10,000 MIT Solve Solver Award
The $10,000 grant is funded by MIT Solve and is provided to all Solver teams selected through the Global Challenges and Indigenous Communities Fellowship.
Additional Challenge-Specific Prizes
Selected Solvers may also be eligible for additional prizes depending on the challenge and the nature of their solution.
For example, the AI for Humanity Prize can provide up to $150,000 to at least one Solver team from the 2027 Global Challenges.
Other partner-funded prizes are also available within the 2027 programme.
These additional awards are competitive and not guaranteed for every Solver.
What Else Do Solvers Receive?
The financial award is only one part of the programme.
Selected Solvers gain access to the broader MIT Solve network, which can provide:
- Connections with funders
- Potential partners
- Mentors and experts
- Global visibility
- Peer connections with other innovators
- Resources to help develop and scale the solution
MIT Solve describes its model as combining funding, in-kind resources and connections to help promising solutions grow.
For an early-stage social enterprise, these connections can potentially be as valuable as the initial grant.
Is There an Application Fee?
No application fee is stated.
MIT Solve’s application process directs applicants to create an account and submit their solution online. The organization does not list a mandatory payment for submitting a Global Challenge application.
Be cautious of anyone asking you to pay a fee in exchange for submitting or guaranteeing selection.
Do You Need an Existing Company?
Not necessarily.
MIT Solve’s applicant pool includes different types of innovators and organizations.
However, applicants should have a real solution that can demonstrate innovation, human-centered design and a credible path toward impact.
For most Global Challenges, simply having a problem statement or an untested idea will not be competitive.
How to Apply
The application process is online.
Step 1: Choose Your Challenge
Review the 2027 Global Challenges and identify the one that best matches your solution.
Step 2: Explain the Problem
Clearly describe the problem you are addressing and why it matters.
Step 3: Present Your Solution
Explain what your technology, product, service or model does and what makes it innovative.
Step 4: Demonstrate Your Impact
Show who benefits from the solution and provide evidence of the impact you have already achieved where possible.
Step 5: Explain Your Business or Sustainability Model
MIT Solve wants to understand how your solution can remain financially viable and reach more people.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
Complete the online application before:
November 2, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
MIT Solve recommends beginning the application early because applicants typically spend several hours preparing their submission.
MIT Solve 2027 Timeline
- Applications Open: September 22, 2026
- Application Deadline: November 2, 2026, 12:00 PM ET
- Current Status: Accepting Solutions
The current MIT Solve challenge pages confirm the November 2 deadline across the 2027 Global Challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MIT Solve Global Challenges 2027 open?
Yes. Applications opened on September 22, 2026 and close on November 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.
Can Indians apply to MIT Solve?
Yes. MIT Solve’s Global Challenges are open to applicants from around the world. Indian innovators can apply if their solution meets the relevant challenge requirements.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is stated by MIT Solve.
How much money does the winner receive?
Every selected Solver team receives a $10,000 Solver Award. Additional challenge-specific prizes may provide substantially more funding, including an AI for Humanity Prize worth up to $150,000.
Is the $10,000 grant guaranteed if I apply?
No.
The $10,000 award is for teams selected as Solvers. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding.
Do I need a technology-based solution?
MIT Solve’s selection criteria emphasize innovative solutions involving technology, new applications of technology, new business models or new processes.
Can an individual apply?
Yes. MIT Solve states that anyone, anywhere can apply, and applications can be submitted by individuals or teams.
Is MIT Solve a scholarship?
No. It is a global innovation challenge and grant programme.
Is MIT Solve fully funded?
No. The programme provides grant funding to selected Solvers, but it is not a fully funded educational or fellowship programme.
Why Apply to MIT Solve?
For innovators trying to turn a promising solution into something capable of reaching millions of people, MIT Solve offers something beyond a conventional competition.
The programme combines funding, global exposure, partnerships and access to an established innovation network.
And you don’t need to relocate to MIT to participate.
You can apply from anywhere in the world and continue building your solution while participating in the Solve community.
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