Global Call for Student Innovators: Prototypes for Humanity 2025 Opens Applications

Applications are now open for the 2025 Dubai Future Solutions Program. This is a fully funded opportunity for current university students and recent graduates. Also known as “Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity,” the program is designed to gather talented individuals and leading universities to showcase creative prototypes and impactful ideas that serve the greater good. The focus is on tackling key social and environmental issues.

Selected participants will have the chance to exhibit their projects at Dubai’s leading innovation center. All major expenses, including airfare, accommodation, transportation, and a stipend, will be covered. Approximately 100 innovative projects will be chosen for this initiative.

NOTE: You can apply even if your project is still in the early stages. Be sure to indicate the current phase of your project in the application form. If you don’t have a prototype or working solution yet, provide as much detail and supporting references as possible to demonstrate how your solution works and its potential impact.

Eligibility

Participation is free and open to:

• University students (undergraduate or postgraduate) currently enrolled in any academic discipline
• Graduates who completed their degree within the past two years
• Applicants must be 18 years or older
• Projects can be submitted by students themselves or by a supervising professor
• Multiple submissions are allowed

Program Date

• Deadline of Application: July 31, 2025
• Duration: November 17-20, 2025 (4 days)

Program Benefits

If your project is selected, the organizers will sponsor one representative from your team, covering accommodation and providing a subsidized return flight. Additional team members are welcome to join at their own expense. One professor from each participating university can also be sponsored with selected students.

Key benefits include:

• Global promotion
• Opportunity to showcase your idea at the exhibition
• Fully sponsored participation
• In addition to the exhibition, participants can opt into a venture-building programme designed to help them transform their ideas into scalable ventures with real-world application.
• All selected projects are also eligible for awards from a $100,000 prize fund, celebrating the most impactful and forward-thinking solutions.

What Kind of Projects Are Eligible?

Projects at any stage of development are welcome, from early ideas to fully implemented solutions, as long as they:

• Have a positive social or environmental impact
• Are grounded in research or evidence-based insight
• Involve innovative thinking (high-tech or low-tech)
• Reflect original work (AI-generated content is not accepted)

If you include a physical prototype, the team will assist with safe shipping and display setup in Dubai.

Selection Criteria

You can apply with projects from any discipline and at any stage of development—whether it’s a concept or a fully implemented solution—as long as it has

• The positive social or environmental impact (on people, communities, or the planet)
• Rigour of academic research
• Application of technology
• Designed for large-scale impact or focused on supporting a small community.

For more information, the application link is provided below.