MIT’s Solve Global Challenges 2025

In order to find and scale the best ideas to the most intractable issues of our time, we launch open innovation challenges. We built a research-backed platform and a proven methodology that seeks tech-based solutions from anyone, anywhere in the world. Our reach is vast, with tens of thousands of applicants from nearly every corner of the world.

And we’re not done yet. 

Who can apply to Solve's Challenges?

Anyone, anywhere around the world aged 13 and older can submit a solution to Solve's Challenges. You can be an individual, a team, or an organization. You can be an applicant from previous years or already part of our community. If you have a relevant solution, we hope you'll apply.

Solve considers solutions at all stages of development:

• Idea: We welcome you to submit your solution to participate in the discussion, but please note that solutions that are still only at the concept stage are unlikely to be selected. You have until the submission deadline to prototype and experiment with your idea!
• Prototype: A venture building and testing its product, service, or business model. Typically described as "Pre-Seed" if For Profit.
• Pilot: An enterprise deploying a tested product, service, or business model in at least one community. Hybrids and For Profits would typically be in a "Seed" round and generating revenue (whether or not they are cash flow positive).
• Growth: An enterprise with an established product, service, or business model rolled out, which is poised for further growth in multiple communities or countries. Organizations at this stage should have a clear path to sustainability. For Profits at this stage would be "Seed" or "Series A."
• Scale: A sustainable enterprise working in several communities or countries and that is looking to scale significantly, focusing on increased efficiency. For Profits in this stage would be "Series A" or "Series B."

The most important thing is that your solution will solve the Challenge posed. And, we’re MIT! So, every solution must include technology -- whether new or existing -- as a key component.

How will my solution be evaluated?

Our judges are experts and leaders from across industries. We’ll announce who the judges are within each challenge.

In the first round, Solve staff will perform an initial screening of all applications for completeness, for coherency, and for whether the solution appropriately addresses the challenge. Then our judges will score the screened applications to determine finalists. Here are the criteria the judges will use to score the applications on the website:

• Alignment: The solution addresses the challenge that has been set forth using technology.
• Potential for Impact: The planned implementation of the solution has the potential to impact lives.
• Scalability: The solution can be grown and scaled to affect the lives of more people.
• Feasibility: It is feasible to implement the solution, and the team has a plan for the solution to sustain itself financially.
• Innovative Approach: This is a new technology, a new application of a technology, a new business model, or a new process for solving the challenge

In the second round, each finalist will pitch before the challenge judges and a live audience. The judges will determine which solutions are the most promising. This new Solver class will receive support and partnership from the Solve community.

A prize fund of up to £1,000,000 will be awarded, with an aim to award a grand prize of £500,000 in each category of the Challenge (Stock Control and Substandard and Falsified Antibiotics). Other prizes may be made at the discretion of the Judges e.g. runner-up prizes or honourable mentions for solutions outstandingly meeting some criteria.

The exact amount of the prize for each winner will depend on the solution’s needs for development, deployment, and scaling over the next two years.