About the Challenge
The Innovation Challenge 2027
The Innovation Challenge 2027 is a platform for young people in Bangladesh to explore how different adaptive ways can help people adapt to climate risks in their everyday lives.
Participants work in interdisciplinary teams, start with a real problem, develop an idea, and take it through a rigorous journey of proposal development, mentorship, field immersion, residential bootcamp and pitching.
The Challenge is designed to identify promising young innovators and connect their ideas to the wider Frugal Innovation Forum (FIF) ecosystem.
The Frugal Innovation Challenge engages Bangladeshi university students and recent graduates to develop practical, people-centred solutions to pressing development challenges. Teams work together to explore problems, develop ideas and bring promising solutions into the wider FIF ecosystem.
It is not simply an idea or pitch competition.
It is an opportunity to understand a real problem, challenge your thinking and take an idea closer to reality.
Participant value
What’s in it for you?
The idea is not the finish line. Unlike traditional idea submission or pitching competitions, participants embark on a journey of exploration and validation. Throughout the Challenge, they are encouraged to question assumptions, develop a deeper understanding of the problem, engage with real-world contexts, and continuously refine their solutions before making their final pitch. The Challenge serves as the first stepping stone into a broader Global South platform and ecosystem, enabling promising young climate innovators to further develop their ideas, build connections, and access opportunities beyond the competition itself.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
The Innovation Challenge is open to Bangladeshi university students in their 3rd year or above, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, and recent graduates from the current year.
- 01
Undergraduate 3rd year
- 02
Undergraduate 4th year
- 03
Recent graduate
- 04
Currently pursuing a Master's degree
- 05
Recent postgraduate
At a glance
Challenge Journey
This is the path your idea will take, from a first concept to a live pitch.
25 October 2026 to 6 February 2027 (Tentative)
- 01
Idea submission
- 02
Initial Submission Result Published
- 03
Detailed Proposal Submission
- 04
Detailed Submission Result Published
- 05
Mentorship
- 06
Field Visit
- 07
Residential Bootcamp & Final Pitch
- BDT
1 lakh each
Three winning teams will receive BDT 1 lakh each in recognition to take their ideas further.
Participants get the opportunity to explore a real problem, develop their thinking, experience the field, receive mentorship and take their idea further.
Why apply
This is more than a competition.
It’s an opportunity to learn by doing, work with people beyond your usual circle and take an idea into a real-world context.
- 01
Work on a real problem
Start with real climate and development challenges rather than an invented case study.
- 02
Learn by doing
Experience what it takes to move from understanding a problem to developing a practical response.
- 03
Get closer to the field
Selected teams will have the opportunity to engage with the realities behind the challenge through field immersion.
- 04
Meet practitioners
Get exposure to people working on real development, climate and innovation challenges.
- 05
Pitch your idea
Present your solution at the final pitch and have your work recognised.
- 06
Take it further
Outstanding participants and ideas may have opportunities to progress into the wider FIF ecosystem, including the FIF Fellowship.
Application process
Ready to apply? Here's how.
- 01
Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet the academic and nationality requirements.
- 02
Build your team
Form a multidisciplinary team of 3–5 people.
- 03
Choose your challenge
Explore the challenge areas and identify the problem your team wants to work on.
- 04
Develop your idea
Think through the problem and your proposed response.
- 05
Submit
Complete your application during the application window.
What do I need to submit?
You don't need a finished solution.
Teams will submit an initial concept during the application window.
You do not need:
- An existing business
- A startup
- A prototype
- A fully developed solution
Full submission requirements will be shared at launch.
