MIT Solve

MIT Solve Global Challenges

Supports teams tackling global challenges by selecting and backing scalable ideas through MIT Solve challenge pathways.

MIT Solve is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that runs annual global challenge competitions to identify and fund innovators — called Solver teams — addressing major societal problems. The program is globally open: MIT Solve has received more than 28,200 applications from over 190 countries across its lifetime and does not require MIT affiliation, making it the only MIT-branded program with unrestricted global eligibility. Since inception, MIT Solve has mobilized over $85 million in funding to more than 460 Solver teams, with those teams collectively raising more than $1 billion. Annual challenge cycles are organized around multiple thematic tracks — covering areas such as health, climate, education, and economic opportunity — with two anchor events: Solve at MIT (a flagship convening, typically May or June) and Solve Challenge Finals in the fall.

Funding provided to Solver teams is non-dilutive and comes in a mix of cash prizes, in-kind resources, and connections to MIT Solve's partner network of corporations, foundations, and government agencies. Specific award amounts are set per challenge track and published when individual 2026 challenges open on solve.mit.edu; amounts were not consolidated on the homepage at the research date. All entity types are eligible — companies, nonprofits, universities, research organizations, and individuals may apply. Applications from emerging markets and underserved communities are explicitly encouraged by the program model.

For 2026, the Solve at MIT convening and Solve Challenge Finals are both confirmed as active events. Applicants should monitor solve.mit.edu for individual challenge tracks and deadlines. Strong Solver applications demonstrate a technology-enabled solution with measurable social impact, a clear theory of change, an evidence base from initial deployments or pilots, and a named geographic or population focus. Corporate and philanthropic partners fund challenge prizes and select winning teams, so alignment with a sponsor's stated impact priorities strengthens competitiveness.