Oxford Saïd Global Climate Tech Challenge 2026 for High School Students & Teachers

The Oxford Saïd Global Climate Tech Challenge 2026 for High School Students & Teachers is based on a simple belief that brilliant ideas can come from anyone, regardless of age. Around the world, young people are already developing creative solutions to challenges such as flooding, plastic pollution, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and clean energy. Teachers, on the other hand, play a vital role by inspiring students to think beyond the classroom and solve real-world problems.

Recognising this potential, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, has launched a global competition that brings students and educators together to design practical, technology-driven solutions for climate change. The competition is completely free to enter and offers finalists an all-expenses-paid trip to Oxford, where they will present their ideas before academics, innovators, and climate experts.

This Is More Than a Science Competition

Unlike traditional science fairs that often focus on experiments, the Oxford Saïd Global Climate Tech Challenge encourages participants to think like innovators and problem-solvers.

Students are expected to identify an environmental challenge affecting communities and develop a technology-based solution that is practical, scalable, and capable of creating measurable impact.

Projects can focus on issues such as:

• Air pollution.
• Extreme weather and climate resilience.
• Food security.
• Biodiversity conservation.
• Water scarcity.
• Clean technology and sustainability.

Teachers are invited to participate separately by designing lesson plans that inspire students to think creatively about climate innovation and entrepreneurship. Their entries should demonstrate how climate education can become more engaging and practical inside the classroom.

Who Can Apply?

The competition has two entry categories.

Student Teams

To participate, applicants must:

• Be between 15 and 18 years old.
• Apply as a team of three to five students.
• Work with a teacher or mentor.
• Submit one team project. Individual student applications are not accepted.

Interestingly, team members do not have to attend the same school. Students from different schools or even different countries can collaborate on a single project if they meet the competition requirements.

Teachers

Teachers can apply individually by submitting a series of lesson plans that encourage climate innovation among secondary school students. The focus should be on helping young people use technology and creative thinking to address environmental challenges.

What Will Winners Receive?

One reason this competition attracts participants from around the world is that the rewards go far beyond certificates.

The winning student team will receive:

• A full scholarship to attend the Future Climate Innovators Summer School 2027 at Oxford.
• An all-expenses-paid experience at the University of Oxford.

The winning teacher will receive:

• A place on an Oxford Saïd Executive Education Programme in 2027.
• A fully funded trip to Oxford.

In addition, all shortlisted finalists will receive:

• An all-expenses-paid trip to Oxford for the global finals.
• Accommodation and travel expenses covered by the organisers.
• The opportunity to present their projects before an international audience.
• Official certificates recognising their participation.

Visit our webpage to access other opportunites curated for you

Deadline and How to Apply

Applications for the Oxford Saïd Global Climate Tech Challenge 2026 are now open.

• Application Deadline: 17 August 2026 (11:59 PM GMT)
• Finalists Announcement: September 2026
• Global Finals: October 2026 at the University of Oxford.

Applications must be submitted through the official competition website, where participants can access the competition guide, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions.

Official Application Portal: Oxford Said Global Climate Tech Challenge

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