UNU Global AI NetworkCompetition

AI for SDGs Youth Innovation Competition

Sep 15, 2026

Opportunity type

Competition

Funding

Partially Funded

Location

Global

Deadline

Sep 15, 2026

About this opportunity

The AI for SDGs Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition is run by the UNU Global AI Network under the guidance of United Nations University, co-organized with UNU Macau and Venture Cup China. The 2026 theme is AI and Education: transforming the educational paradigm and enhancing AI literacy, with tracks on AI for education, AI for social innovation and AI for less developed countries, mapped to SDG 4 and related goals.

What you get: ➤ Global platform to showcase an AI solution, guided by United Nations University ➤ Complimentary hotel accommodation for finalists during the Macau final ➤ Chance to apply for travel allowances of up to USD 1,000 per team (limited, before tax) ➤ Networking with global innovators, researchers and organizations ➤ International exposure across the UNU Global AI Network

What you'll do: ➤ Submit an English-language application before September 15, 2026 ➤ Pass the online judge round (September 16 to 30) and semi-final (October 1 to 15) ➤ Present in person at the Macau final and award ceremony on November 26, 2026 if selected

Who can apply

Open to any individual, group or company worldwide
Project at Technology Readiness Level 6 or above (validated beyond the lab)
Incorporated ventures must be under 10 years old
All materials and assessments in English
No application fees

AI Verification

✓ AI Verified

Our AI read the official sources and cross-checked the key facts. Here is what held up, and what it could not confirm.

This opportunity is run by an established organization, and we confirmed its key details against the official source. As always, never share sensitive personal or financial information until you are sure a request is genuine.

LOT Verification ScoreStrong

Cross-checked 3 of 4 key facts

Confirmed Our best read Not stated

Good to know

+Runs on unu.edu under United Nations University guidance; every fact verified on the org's own page
+Explicitly free: no registration, training or participation fees
+Finalist accommodation in Macau is covered outright

Worth checking yourself

!Despite the word Youth in the name, there is no age restriction; companies up to 10 years old compete in the same pool
!TRL 6+ is a high bar that excludes idea-stage and prototype-stage student projects
!Travel to the Macau final is not guaranteed: allowances are limited, capped at USD 1,000 per team and taxed
!Application form runs on lingxi360.com (Chinese form platform) and the co-organizer contact is a venturecup.cn address; the UNU page is the right entry point

What we could not confirm

?No prize money or award package is published for winners; the only stated benefits are finalist accommodation and possible travel allowances
?Deadline time of day and timezone are not stated
?Judging criteria beyond TRL and innovation potential are not published

Sources checked

OPopportunitiesforyouth.orgFound viaUNunu.eduApply

LOT finds and checks opportunities from public sources. Always confirm details on the organiser’s own page before applying.

About this opportunity