About this opportunity
Clean energy deployment is accelerating, yet decades of delayed action have made adaptation the urgent work. Emissions from food systems, cities and industry move slowly, while communities face harsher heat, flooding, drought and wildfire with limited resources to establish, protect or recover essential services. The changes that matter, from resilient regional food systems to abundant multi family housing and diverse mobility options, remain underfunded and hard to implement at scale.
The 2027 Global Climate Challenge asks how we can equitably adapt to a warming climate and decarbonise how we live and eat. Solve is explicit that communities are not passive recipients of climate solutions but sites of frontier innovation, and that as public resources tighten, winning solutions must show impact, adaptability and financial sustainability inside existing systems, budgets and infrastructure.
Four areas draw particular interest for 2027. Low carbon, climate resilient cities built through better construction and retrofitting, inclusive mobility and more circular materials. Protection of people, livelihoods and essential services from extreme heat, floods, drought and wildfire through infrastructure design, resilient water and cooling systems or risk management. Agrifood systems transformed to be climate resilient, low emission or nature positive, including stronger regional supply chains. And restored ocean and coastal systems, covering fisheries, coastal protection or renewable energy.
Robotics, materials engineering, data tools and, where appropriate, AI all count as technology here, alongside traditional and nature based approaches. Selected teams join the Solver programme with a $10,000 grant each, an average of $40,000 in funding following selection and access to a prize pool of more than $1 million. Applications opened on 22 September 2026 and close on 2 November 2026 at 12:00pm EST.
What you receive
- A $10,000 grant for every Solver team
- Access to a pool of more than $1 million in prize funding
- An average of $40,000 in funding following selection
- Nine month support programme with coaching and capacity building workshops
- In kind and pro bono resources including software licences and legal services
- Pitching opportunities, media exposure and a network spanning industry and philanthropy
Who can apply
- Innovators and organisations of any nationality and background
- Technology driven solutions addressing human focused, difficult to solve climate problems
- Solutions at prototype, pilot, growth or scale stage
- Previously selected teams may apply only with a new solution
Who should not apply
- Concept stage ideas, which Solve reviews only under the Indigenous Communities Fellowship
- A repeat submission of a solution previously selected by Solve
- Multiple solutions from one team lead to the same Global Challenge
Documents to prepare
- A description of the climate problem and the communities affected
- Evidence of implementation so far and the resources used
- A plan showing financial sustainability and a route to scale
- Background of the team and its local knowledge and partnerships
How to apply
- Read the four 2027 areas of interest on the challenge page at MIT Solve
- Download the reference version of the application questions to prepare
- Start the online application through the official MIT Solve application link
- Submit before 2 November 2026 at 12:00pm EST
Selection process
- Solve staff and community conduct an initial screening
- Expert reviewers score solutions and advance the highest scorers to the semifinalist round
- The Challenge Leadership Group evaluates semifinalists and names finalists, who are notified in February and pitch live
- Judges deliberate after the pitch and select the Solver class
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
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- My Little Big Thing Sustainability Challenge 2026/2027, 10th Anniversary Edition
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- The Earth Prize 2027, USD 104,500 Environmental Sustainability Competition for Students
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- beVisioneers Cohort 5 Climate Venture Programme
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Questions applicants ask
Is this only for clean energy startups?
No. The 2027 challenge covers resilient cities, protection from extreme heat and floods, agrifood systems and coastal and ocean systems, so adaptation work is central.
Do solutions need to use AI?
Not necessarily. Where innovators use AI, Solve expects the tools to expand local capability and strengthen trusted decision making.
What does a Solver team receive?
Every selected Solver team receives a $10,000 grant, with an average of $40,000 in funding following selection and access to a pool of more than $1 million in prize funding.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
