2026 Innovation Challenge

If you’re passionate about innovative solutions to global challenges, then the Global Alliance for Rapid Diagnostics (GARD) Forum Innovation Challenge is for you! This annual competition fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and ingenuity in tackling relevant global problems to improve human life and welfare.

Every year, GARD invites participants to submit a 3-minute pitch video on their proposed solution to the challenge prompts. The six teams with the best pitches are selected to participate in the final live event happening during the GARD Forum, when an esteemed panel of expert judges reviews their work and selects the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Winners are announced at the end of the GARD Forum.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your ideas and potentially receive support, recognition, and funding up to 500 USD to further develop and implement your solutions. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

For any inquiries, please feel free to email us at globalyouth@msu.edu

Registration & Submission

Mentoring and submissions for the 2026 GARD Innovation Challenge are currently open. Register at the link here!

Eligibility

The GARD Forum Innovation Challenge welcomes all individuals or teams to collaborate and design innovative solutions to global problems.

Challenge Prompts

Participants of the Innovation Challenge will submit a 3-minute video describing their innovative ideas to address real-world problems related to food systems, water, health, or other global challenge of their choosing.

Judging Criteria

Time: The pitch must not exceed 3 minutes in length otherwise it will be disqualified.

Required content: The pitch must cover the points below:

Introductions: Provide a brief introduction of yourself or your team.
Challenge/Problem: Demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenge/problem and why there is a need for a solution. Describe the impact of this challenge/problem.
Solution: Give a clear and comprehensible description of your solution. How does it address the challenge/problem? Is it based on any technology/research that demonstrates its potential?
Market: Who would benefit from this solution? How large is this market? Why would your solution be appealing to them?
Competition: What technologies or solutions are currently being used? If there are no technologies that directly compete with your idea, what is currently being done to cope with this challenge/problem? How is your solution better than the current options?

Netiquette

It is important to recognize that certain behaviors are expected when you participate and communicate with people online; these guidelines for online behavior and interaction are known as Netiquette (a social code that defines “good” online behavior). Violating any of these conditions will result in automatic disqualification from the Innovation Challenge.

Online Interaction

Treat people with respect in any kind of online communication.
Always be respectful of others’ opinions even when they differ from your own.
Understand that exposure to other people’s opinions is part of the learning experience.
Don’t expect any individuals to speak on behalf of their gender, ethnic group, class, status, etc. (or the groups we perceive them to be a part of).
Do not make personal and/or insulting remarks.
Avoid inflammatory language, including name-calling.
Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm; both can easily be misunderstood, taken seriously, and/or sound offensive.
Respect people's privacy; do not post nor share any kind of confidential information (both yours and others).
Listen respectfully, without interrupting.
Act professionally with a collaborative spirit if working together with other individuals as part of a team.

Plagiarism

Claiming someone’s work as your own is plagiarism - a serious offense. Professionals who plagiarize may lose their jobs and face lawsuits. Be sure to cite all of your sources when you include any content that is not your own original thought thus giving credit where credit is due.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you can find some frequently asked questions and their answers. We will keep adding information to this FAQ as new questions arise.

If you still have questions after reviewing the list, please email us at globalyouth@msu.edu

Question #1: Do I need a team to participate in the Innovation Challenge? Or can I work and submit alone?

Answer #1: You can register as a solo participant.

Question #2: There are ten people in our group. Can we register as a ten-member team?

Answer #2: Yes! There's no restriction in the number of members in a team.

Question #2: There are ten people in our group. Can we register as a ten-member team?

Answer #2: Yes! There's no restriction in the number of members in a team.

Question #3: Can I work on my idea to solve a specific problem in our country for the challenge?

Answer #3: Yes! The GARD Innovation Challenge encourages its participants to work on topics that they are most passionate about.

Question #4: Can I just record myself talking about my idea?

Answer #4: It is highly recommended that your pitch comes with a visual presentation so it gets understood better. A typical strategy is to prepare slides and then record yourself while presenting the slide as if you're delivering a webinar.

Question #5: Do each team member need to register for the GARD Forum, or can we all use the same registration (ticket)?

Answer #5: Even if the submission for the innovation challenge will be a team submission, we recommend each person to register individually for the GARD Forum (and don’t forget to select the “Innovation Challenge” option in the registration).

Question #6: Is my innovation idea entirely my Intellectual Property (IP)?

Answer #6: Your idea is your IP, and the GARD Innovation Challenge is here to promote innovative people like you!

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