The WGS26 Challenge calls for applications from young women who are university students (bachelor, master, PhD), early career researchers, or simply interested in starting a career in STEM and/or defence. Proposals should address one of five prescribed foresight scenarios: A Day Without Space; A Day Without Power; A Day Without the Internet; A Day Without Antibiotics; and A Day Without Boots on the Ground.

Refugee innovators ‘developing technological or digital solutions to real-world challenges’ have until 24 February to apply for the Refugee Fuzé Challenge – Kampala 2026. Led by UNHCR in partnership with Digital Africa, the challenge is open to refugee innovators and startups with refugees or forcibly displaced people in leadership roles. Entrepreneurs selected to take part will get expert mentorship and guidance as well as access to investor and innovation ecosystems.

The Falling Walls Global Call for Science Breakthroughs is an ‘international competition format that aims to identify the most groundbreaking scientific achievements of the world’. “Applications and nominations are welcome from researchers, innovators, start-ups and institutions worldwide. Winners from across categories will be invited to speak at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin, bringing breakthrough research to a global audience of decision-makers.”

Open to startups in central and eastern Europe (CEE) this €25 million fund offers up to €250k to early-stage startups. More than 30 startups will be supported annually through the AIP Seed 2.0 early-stage investment fund, which is targeting the most promising young companies from the CEE. Through its unique model the fund will evaluate and respond to startups within a week.

‘This four-year global competition invites innovators and teams from anywhere on the planet to create and demonstrate solutions that can pull carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or oceans, and sequester it durably and sustainably. Funded by Elon Musk and the Musk Foundation, this $100M competition is the largest incentive prize in history.‎’

‘Have an innovation ready to supercharge?’ is the big question Regeneration.VC is asking innovators worldwide. And if your company is pioneering circular solutions that can tackle the climate emergency then you should seriously think about giving Leonardo Di Caprio, a strategic advisor to the fund, and the team at Regeneration.VC a call. The fund, which recently brought down the gavel on its first $45 million pot, aims to harness the epoch-making changes that can be triggered by people power to inspire a paradigm shift in the consumer industries, so its future is one defined by ‘circular and regenerative principles’.