Oxford Saïd Global Climate Tech Challenge 2026: Innovation for a Sustainable Future

The Oxford Saïd Global Climate Tech Challenge 2026 invites high school students and teachers from across the globe to develop innovative technological solutions for pressing climate change issues. Hosted by the prestigious Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, this competition aims to foster creativity and problem-solving skills among young people and educators. Participants are encouraged to address critical environmental challenges such as air pollution, extreme weather, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. Entry to this global competition is entirely free, and there are no language proficiency test requirements like IELTS, making it accessible to a diverse international audience. The challenge seeks to identify and support groundbreaking ideas that leverage technology to create a sustainable future. Finalists will be announced in September 2026, leading up to the highly anticipated Global Finals in October 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

Participation in the Oxford Saïd Global Climate Tech Challenge is open to two distinct categories:

For Student Teams:

• Applicants must be between 15 and 18 years old at the time of application.

• Submissions must come from a team comprising 3 to 5 students. Individual applications will not be considered.

• Team members can originate from the same school, different schools, the same country, or various countries, promoting international collaboration.

• Teams are required to propose a technology-driven solution focused on climate change, aligning with one of the official challenge categories.

• Required Documents: A comprehensive ten-page PowerPoint presentation (submitted as a PDF), a video presentation not exceeding three minutes, and a completed consent form for each student, duly signed by a parent or legal guardian.

• Judging Criteria: Evaluations will focus on the clarity of problem identification, depth of research and analysis, innovation and creativity of the solution, its feasibility and practicality, potential impact and scalability, presentation clarity, evidence of collaboration and teamwork, ethical considerations, wider societal impact, sustainability, long-term viability, and overall professionalism and commitment.

For Teachers:

• The competition is open to high school teachers worldwide.

• Applications must be submitted by an individual teacher; team submissions are not accepted for this category.

• Teachers are required to submit a series of climate-related lesson plans designed for integration into their school’s curriculum.

• Required Documents: A PDF submission file containing a series of climate-related lesson plans.

• Judging Criteria: Assessment will be based on educational impact, alignment with existing curriculum standards, innovation and creativity in teaching methods, clarity and structure of the lesson plans, potential for student engagement and participation, methods for assessment and evaluation, integration of technology, ethical considerations and stakeholder impact, practicality and replicability in diverse educational settings, and the overall impression of the submission.

Benefits and Prizes

The Oxford Saïd Global Climate Tech Challenge offers significant advantages and prestigious awards:

• No Application Fee: The competition is free to enter, removing financial barriers to participation.

• Global Platform: An unparalleled opportunity for students and teachers to present their innovative ideas at the renowned University of Oxford.

• All-Expenses-Paid Trip: Finalists will receive a fully funded trip to Oxford to attend and present at the global finals, covering all travel, accommodation, and related expenses.

• International Recognition: Gain global exposure and international recognition for your contributions to climate innovation.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse network of students, teachers, leading academics, and climate experts from around the world.

• Certificate of Participation: All approved submissions will receive an official Certificate of Participation.

Top Prizes for 2026:

• Winning Student Team: Awarded a full scholarship to the exclusive Future Climate Innovators Summer School 2027 in Oxford, with all expenses covered. This includes invaluable learning opportunities directly with Oxford academics.

• Winning Teacher: Receives a fully funded place in an Oxford Saïd Executive Education Programme in 2027, with all associated expenses covered, offering advanced professional development.

• All Finalists: Benefit from an all-expenses-paid trip to Oxford and the unique chance to present their projects on a global stage.