Advanced Technology Pioneers 2026

Challenge for all university students and recent graduates across the UAE

Timeline

Challenge step by step

This unified timeline applies across all sponsor tracks, guiding students from idea submission to final presentation. Each phase is designed to support learning, creativity, and structured development.

  1. Application Phase
      20 August – 11 October 2026
    7.5 weeks
     

    The Application Phase runs from 20 August 2026 and closes on 11 October 2026 at 23:59h (GMT+4).

    Students select one sponsor track to address and submit their ideas in response to the chosen challenge statement(s). Participation must be in teams of 3–4 members.

    Criteria for Application

    To participate, students are required to:

    • Register on the challenge platform
    • Accept the challenge rules
    • Complete the participation form, indicating chosen sponsor challenge statement
    • Submit a proposal to the selected sponsor track, with all required deliverables per application

    At minimum, your proposal should cover:

    • Intro / team overview
    • The problem you aim to address
    • Your proposed solution and approach
    • The intended impact of your idea
    • Feasibility and implementation considerations
    • Visuals, mock-ups, prototypes, or supporting materials
    Important: As part of your submission, the expected output is a basic prototype, simulation, or model, and not simply presenting a concept or an idea.

    Minimum Application Deliverables

    All participants are expected to submit, minimally, but not limited to:

    • A proposal deck or equivalent (10-slide PDF)
    • A 1–2 minute video of the developed solution / digital prototype
    • Any additional or track-specific deliverables required by that challenge statement's challenge brief

    Submission Deadline: 11 October 2026, 23:59h (GMT+4)

    All submissions must be completed and submitted through the platform before the deadline.

  2. Shortlisting Phase
      12 – 25 October 2026
    2 weeks
     

    Each sponsor's evaluators independently review submissions to their track, assessing submissions against the evaluation criteria fleshed out in the respective sponsor's challenge statement page.

    Shortlisted participants will be notified of the shortlisting results by 25 October 2026.

  3. Mentoring Phase
      26 October – November 2026
    1.5 weeks
     

    Shortlisted teams receive sponsor-specific mentoring to refine and strengthen their ideas before Demo Days.

    Submission Deadline: November 2026

  4. Demo Days
      November 2026
    4 days
     

    Finalists from each sponsor track present their solutions to organisers, sponsors, partners, and invited stakeholders at the NSTI Festival 2026 — the culmination of the co-innovation journey. More details to follow.

    The event will include, but is not limited to:

    • Showcasing the prototype and a poster at the team's stand throughout NSTI Festival
    • Live presentations, organised by sponsor track
    • Q&A and feedback sessions with sponsors
    • Award Ceremony
Participate