Rules

Advanced Technology Pioneers 2026

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: These rules (“Rules”) apply to the Advanced Technology Pioneers 2026 (“Challenge”). By entering you agree to comply with these Rules. The Organiser can cancel/suspend/reschedule/modify the Challenge or update the Rules as it deems fit without objection. You will need to stay across changes to the Rules/Challenge published on the Platform.

In the event of any dispute regarding the Rules, the conduct or results of the Challenge, or any other matter relating to the Challenge, the Organiser’s decision shall be final and binding and no correspondence shall be entered into regarding such decision, save where required by applicable law.

The Parties

The parties to this Challenge are:

Organiser of the Challenge (the “Organiser”): Advanced Technology Research Council, a council established in Abu Dhabi pursuant to Law No. 14 of 2020, whose principal place of business is in Abu Dhabi.

Challenge Statement Owners (the “Challenge Owners”):

This Challenge features 3 Challenge Owners, each launching their own Challenge Statement.

• • DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND TOURISM ABU DHABI, a department of the Abu Dhabi government established under Law No. 8 of 2018, with its principal place of business at - Nation Towers, Building B, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  • EDGE GROUP PJSC, a public joint stock company (PJSC) established under the laws  of the United Arab Emirates (9) year 2029, whose address is at EDGE HQ, Channel Street, P.O Box 43221, Abu Dhabi.

  • Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, a public joint stock company (PJSC) established under the laws of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with its principal place of business at Masdar City, Irena Building, PO Box 112010, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Platform Provider of the Challenge (the "Platform Facilitator"): Agorize, a French Simplified Joint Stock Company (Société par Actions Simplifiée, or SAS), registered within the Commercial and Companies Register of Paris under number 530 774 439, and has its registered office at 15 Rue Béranger, 75003 Paris, France.

The Organiser and the Challenge Owners are jointly responsible for the conduct of the Challenge and are referred to collectively as the "Joint Organisers". The Platform Facilitator provides the technology platform and administrative support for the Challenge but is not a decision-maker in respect of awards or intellectual property matters.

The Challenge is sponsored by the Organiser and by the Department of Culture and Tourism, EDGE Group, and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (together, the “Challenge Owners”); with the support of Agorize.

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The Challenge will be held from 20 August 2026 to 11 October 2026 (“Challenge Period”).

2. The Challenge comprises multiple Challenge Statements, each launched by a different Challenge Owner (see the Sponsor Tracks on the Platform). Teams may apply to only one Challenge Statement.

3. Those who register for the Challenge and who are selected to participate are referred to as Participants in these Rules.

4. The official language of the Challenge is English and any communication (including registration, correspondence, and project submission) must be in English.

II. ELIGIBILITY

5. The Challenge is open to all students, in teams of 3-4 members. Participants must submit their solution proposal (“Project Proposals”) to only one Challenge Statement launched by the Challenge Owners under the Challenge (each a “Challenge Statement”), via the Challenge's official website at https://challengeon.atrc.ae (“Platform”).

6. Each team will require at least one UAE national.

7. Participants need to reside in the UAE (have either UAE Passport or Emirates ID).

8. Participants under 18 must provide a declaration (checkbox) as part of their participation form. For avoidance of doubt, this should be the participant’s age as of the date of submission.

9. Bachelor’s and Master’s students and recent graduates (graduated in 2025-2026) are eligible to apply.

10. Participants should be able to showcase their solution during Demo Days at the NSTI Festival, taking place in November 2026.

III. REGISTRATION

11. Participants must submit a Project Proposal for each Challenge Statement they wish to apply to, via the Platform, on or before 11 October 2026. Project Proposals must be complete, accurate, submitted on time, and comply with any specific requirements set out in the relevant Challenge Statement's Challenge Brief. The Joint Organisers accept no responsibility for late, lost or misdirected submissions including delays/failures of electronic or telecommunication systems.

12. Participation in the Challenge is not guaranteed and the Organiser and/or the relevant Challenge Owner is able to reject Project Proposals without providing any reason.

13. If Participants fail to provide further information requested within a specific timeframe then their submission may not progress.

14. Participants may submit information which is “Personal Data” under the Personal Data Protection Law in the UAE. Participants: (a) agree that the Joint Organisers can collect and use any such Personal Data to conduct the Challenge and for any post-Challenge activities and/or publicity; and (b) accept that marketing material may be sent to them from the Joint Organisers (or any related company).

15. Participants may be disqualified if they fail to comply with any of the Rules.

IV. JUDGING

16. The Organiser and the relevant Challenge Owner(s) will decide the shortlisted Project Proposals for their respective Challenge Statement, which may be reviewed by a panel of representatives of the Organiser, the relevant Challenge Owner(s) and industry experts (“Panel”).

17. The Panel's decisions on Challenge matters will be final. The Panel may not award any Participant if they think none of the Project Proposals for a given Challenge Statement are of sufficient merit. Participants should consider the Evaluation Criteria set out for the relevant Challenge Statement to improve their chances of success.

18. Each Challenge Owner may, independently of the Organiser and any other Challenge Owner, choose to further develop any Project Proposal submitted to their Challenge Statement with the relevant Participant(s).

19. The Organiser may: (i) disqualify entries which they consider are irrelevant, offensive, which don't comply with these Rules and/or which violate other people's rights (including IP rights); and (ii) disqualify/replace an Awarded Participant found to be non-compliant with the Rules. Any disqualified/replaced Awarded Participant will not be given a prize and must return any prize already received within thirty (30) days after being requested to do so.

20. All Participants (or at least one team member) must be present for meetings, presentation/pitching sessions, prototype testing trial sessions, judging/award ceremonies (“Events”) relevant to the Challenge Statement(s) they applied to. Participants must give a valid reason (to be assessed by the Organiser) as early as possible if they are unable to attend an Event. Non-attendance may lead to disqualification.

V. CHALLENGE PROCESS

21. Challenge Rounds. The Challenge consists of several rounds, applicable across all Challenge Statements unless otherwise specified in a particular Challenge Statement's Challenge Brief:

• • APPLICATION PHASE (ROUND ONE) All Project Proposals must be submitted via the Platform between 20 August 2026 and 11 October 2026 and must include:

    • Answers to the participation form

    • A proposal deck or equivalent (10-slides PDF) setting out Participant details, an Executive Summary, and a detailed project proposal

    • A 1-2 minute video of the developed solution/digital prototype

    • Any additional or track-specific deliverables required by that Challenge Statement's Challenge Brief – submission format may vary by Challenge Statement, so Participants should check the relevant Challenge Brief before submitting

  • SHORTLISTING PHASE (ROUND TWO) The shortlisting of Participants to the mentorship phase will start on 12 October 2026 and finish by 25 October 2026. The Organiser and the relevant Challenge Owner(s) will select the most innovative Project Proposals for their respective Challenge Statement based on their content and the Challenge Owners’ respective criteria (“Evaluation Criteria”).

See the relevant Challenge Statement's Evaluation Criteria for details. Any additional criteria will be notified to Participants in advance via the Platform.

Announcements to the shortlisted Participants will be issued by 25 October 2026 through the Platform.

• • MENTORSHIP PHASE (ROUND THREE) This phase will run from 26 October 2026 until November 2026. The Co-Organiser will connect the Participants and the relevant Challenge Owner(s) via the Platform for discussion and mentorship, to be conducted via online calls or the Platform. Following this, Participants will be able to upload improved Project Proposals (“Improved Project Proposals”) which must be submitted via the Platform within November 2026, in preparation for the Demo Day Final. The Improved Project Proposals should include:

    • A more detailed proposal deck of the Project Proposal (20 slides maximum, unless otherwise stated in the relevant Challenge Brief)

    • An introductory video lasting approximately 2 minutes

    • We need a physical prototype, digital simulation or a proof of concept of any kind (Critical)

  • DEMO DAY (FINAL) The demo day will be held at ADNEC Center of Al Ain, UAE in November 2026. More information on the format will be shared at a later stage. The Organiser and/or the relevant Challenge Owner(s) can change the venue and date of the Demo Day and any such changes will be communicated to Awarded Participants in advance through the Platform.

Notification to Participants. Results of each round will be notified to Participants via the Platform. Participants will be informed of any changes to the result notification dates via the Platform. The Joint Organisers will be able to add any additional criteria for any round or Challenge Statement which will be notified to Participants in advance via the Platform.

VI. PRIZES

22. Prize amounts and any additional incentives (e.g. funding, mentorship, or internship opportunities) may vary between Challenge Statements, as set out by the relevant Challenge Owner in the Challenge Brief (“Opportunies & Incentives”). Other prizes may be awarded depending on the relevant Challenge Statement.

23. Prizes will only be given to Awarded Participants who comply with these Rules, and the relevant Challenge Owner and/or the Organiser can select a replacement winner where an Awarded Participant fails to so comply.

24. The Joint Organisers do not guarantee any particular prize and will have no responsibility for any matter relating to prizes.

25. Prizes come as provided and are non-transferable. Lost or stolen prizes will not be replaced.

26. If an Awarded Participant cannot be reached (via email or phone) for more than 3 months after the first attempt or if an Awarded Participant is unable to accept a prize, then they shall not be entitled to that prize or any other prize/compensation.

27. If any prize becomes unavailable, the Joint Organisers can substitute another prize of similar value.

28. Before any prize is disbursed, the winning Participant must provide: (a) a valid form of ID; (b) bank account details in their own name or in the name of a parent or legal guardian (third-party bank details other than a parent or legal guardian will not be accepted); (c) any tax or residency documents reasonably requested by the Organiser; and (d) any other compliance documents the Organiser notifies them of. Once all required documents are received, payment will be made within 60 business days, or longer if needed. The Organiser will not be responsible for any delays in payment caused by the Participant failing to provide the required information.

VII. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (“IP”)

29. Participants confirm that their Project Proposal/Improved Project Proposal is original, that they have all necessary rights to the Project Proposal/Improved Project Proposal and that their submission does not breach law or copy the work of others. Participants shall pay the Joint Organisers and their related companies for any claims/costs where these confirmations are not correct.

30. Participants shall own their Project Proposal, Improved Project Proposals and materials they create for and during the Challenge, together with all associated intellectual property rights (“Participant Materials”). Participants grant a non-exclusive license to the Challenge Owner to whom they submitted the relevant Project Proposal – i.e. only the applicable Challenge Owner(s) for that Challenge Statement, not all Challenge Owners – to use the Participant Materials as they wish, together with any of the Participant's pre-existing materials required to make that use possible.

31. The Joint Organisers shall not be required to keep Participant Materials confidential and shall be able to make them available to the public and key Event partners.

32. Participants agree that the Organiser/relevant Challenge Owner may develop information or receive information from others that is similar to information in the Participant Materials. Participants will not be entitled to any compensation for the Joint Organisers' use of such similar information.

33. Participants must keep private any confidential information shared by the Joint Organisers or other Participants during the Challenge (including information about other Participants' Project Proposals seen during judging). This applies even after the Challenge ends. Some Participants may also need to sign a separate non-disclosure agreement before receiving certain materials. Participants may only use such information for the Challenge and must delete or return it when asked. These obligations do not apply to information that: (a) becomes publicly available through no fault of the Participant; (b) the Participant already knew before it was shared with them; or (c) must be disclosed by law or court order, as long as the Participant tells the Joint Organisers in writing beforehand.

VIII. MEDIA USAGE

34. Participants agree to refrain from presenting or sharing materials relating to the challenge, unless explicitly reviewed and approved by the Organisers.

35. Participants agree to take part in media and promotional activities related to the Challenge, including interviews, photographs and videos. By entering the Challenge, Participants consent to the Organiser and the relevant Challenge Owner(s) using such content across all media, including online and social media, without compensation (unless not permitted by law). For in-person events, Participants will be asked to sign a separate consent form before being recorded or photographed, in line with applicable UAE law. The Organiser will provide the relevant consent form in advance of any such event.

IX. TERMS OF CHALLENGE OWNERS

36. In addition to these Rules, Participants shall observe any supplementary terms published by a Challenge Owner that are specific to their Challenge Statement, where applicable. In the event of any conflict between such supplementary terms and these Rules, these Rules shall prevail in respect of the Challenge generally, and a Challenge Owner's supplementary terms shall apply only to matters specific to that Challenge Owner's own Challenge Statement.

X. LIABILITY

37. Although the Joint Organisers will take reasonable steps to keep Participants safe, each Participant accepts that taking part in the Challenge is at their own risk. If something goes wrong due to a Participant's actions, then that Participant agrees to pay the Joint Organisers, their related companies, and their staff for any claims, costs (including legal fees and other expenses), or losses that arise as a result. The Joint Organisers will control any such claims and Participants will provide their assistance.

38. Participants must ensure they stay safe and, if needed, get suitable insurance (including when creating Project Proposals/Improved Project Proposals, testing prototypes, and visiting the Organiser's or any Challenge Owner's premises).

XI. GOVERNING LAW

39. These Rules shall be governed by the laws of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the federal laws of the UAE, as applied in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and all disputes and claims in respect of these Rules shall be submitted to the Courts of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

XII. PLATFORM TERMS AND CONDITIONS

40. These Rules should be read alongside the Platform Terms and Conditions (“Platform T&Cs”), which apply to everyone using the Platform. You can find the Platform T&Cs here: https://challengeon.atrc.ae/web/en/terms. If there is any conflict between these Rules and the Platform T&Cs on anything related to the Challenge, these Rules will apply. For everything else – such as accessing the Platform, your account, general conduct and data privacy – the Platform T&Cs will apply.