Seeking 100 solutions for a better future
Students from universities in over 100 countries, spanning all disciplines, submit research-backed projects to our selection committee. Our annual gathering brings together top students and professors leveraging cutting-edge technologies across all sciences and humanities to create a better future for people and the planet. From healthcare solutions to innovations in agriculture and energy, the projects showcased in Dubai highlight groundbreaking ideas addressing global challenges.
Exhibition
100 innovative projects will be chosen and showcased at The Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity Annual Gathering celebrating the power of academia to address complex challenges. Alongside the showcase, our year-round programme will actively support university innovators in advancing their research and solutions.
Explore the 2024 projects here
Awards
$100,000 in prizes will be awarded to students and professors, these awards celebrate academic excellence and support the next stages of research development aimed at making a positive impact across five key future-focused areas. Learn more
Venture Building
The Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity programme provides a platform for teams aiming to transform their research into ventures. In 2025, the programme will continue to leverage strategic partnerships with leading private and public entities, offering funding and piloting opportunities to enable technical and commercial validation in real-world environments. This year’s cycle will invite senior executives from industries such as utilities, municipalities, health authorities, big tech, food, aviation, and construction to engage directly with projects, exploring collaboration opportunities. Selected projects will embark on a venture-building journey with industry, investment, and startup experts, working to bring their solutions to market from Dubai.
Professors Programme
This initiative empowers professors across disciplines and countries to exchange knowledge and collaborate on shared goals. The 2025 edition builds on the momentum of last year’s strategy, which harnessed the vision of professors within our community to create a platform offering funding and publication opportunities to researchers worldwide. The programme introduces a novel, agile, and industry-aligned model to support professors in producing and sharing knowledge that addresses future-readiness.
International Partnerships
Aligned with our international mandate and commitment to collaboration in disruptive fields, the 2025 edition marks significant milestones. We are proud to announce a partnership with the European Space Agency, focused on developing space-related technologies with applications for social and environmental impact. Additionally, new collaborations with international and multilateral humanitarian organisations have been initiated, with formal frameworks to be announced soon.
Participation in our programme is free and open to current university students on any undergraduate or postgraduate course, as well as graduates who completed their qualifications within the past two years.
1. Positive Impact on People, Communities or the Planet
Whether addressing social issues, environmental concerns, or community development, demonstrating the project’s potential positive impact will be a crucial factor.
2. Rigour of Academic Research:
We are seeking projects that demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges addressed, and the students’ ability to propose meaningful and innovative solutions through structured research.
3. Application of Technology
Innovative and effective use of technology (High-tech or Low-tech) is key, whether incorporating cutting-edge advancements or utilising simple yet efficient solutions.