GSC Vision
- Build a global network of universities and youth-serving organizations.
- Equip students to apply their unique talents for real-world sustainability solutions.
- Foster a lifelong commitment to climate action through learning, collaboration, and innovation.
Themes and Challenges
Sustainable Energy
Develop scalable and impactful solutions that reduce emissions while improving affordability and reliability in the energy sector. Solutions may address clean energy solutions covering generation, transmission, distribution, or storage.
Regional Theme Lead – IIT Hyderabad
Adaptation and Resilience
Develop a solution that enhances the resilience and ability of people, infrastructure, or natural systems to withstand and adapt to the intensifying impacts of climate change. Solutions may address disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, water security, or other critical adaptation needs.
Regional Theme Lead – IIT Bombay Climate Studies
How It Works
The challenge is designed to move bold and innovative ideas to real-world solutions. It offers students support and visibility at every step, from early research and design to building, testing, and sharing their work worldwide.
Phase 1 – Ignite
Late August – Early November 2025 | Deadline: November 3, 11:59 PM UTC
Team up, tune in, and design forward. Form your team, choose a theme, and explore problems through research and stakeholder engagement. Create your concept and submit your application.
Key Deliverables: Team registration, problem statement, solution concept, and early mockup
Phase 2 – Build
Late November 2025 – January / Early February 2026
Build, test, and showcase. Develop working prototypes, conduct user testing, and refine your solution. Present your progress at regional showcases with live demonstrations.
Key Deliverables: Working prototype, testing documentation, and 10-minute live presentation
Phase 3 – Shine
February – April 2026
Refine and present at the Global Finale. Incorporate feedback, improve your solution’s scalability, and pitch to a global jury. Top teams receive awards and ongoing support.
Key Deliverables: Final presentation, demo, and implementation plan for global impact
Founding Partners
Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability | Maker Bhavan Foundation | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Imperial College London | Zhejiang University | Technical University of Munich | Young Global Impact | MakerGhat
