MIT Solve 2027 Global Health Challenge, at least US$25,000 for every selected Health team, open worldwide, deadline 6 November 2026

Are you building a technology solution that makes healthcare more accessible, whether it’s a health app, an SMS service for community health workers, an AI diagnostic tool or a medicine supply-chain platform? MIT Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is accepting applications for its 2027 Global Health Challenge. Every selected team in the Health Challenge is guaranteed at least US$25,000, joins a nine-month support programme, and can compete for prizes from a pool of more than US$1 million. Applications are open to innovators from any country and close on 6 November 2026 at 12:00 pm EST.

Challenge at a Glance

Organiser: MIT Solve (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Question: How can we use technology to make good health and quality care more equitable for all?
Funding: At least US$25,000 guaranteed per selected Health team (US$10,000 Solver Award plus Collegium Prize funding), with access to a US$1 million+ prize pool
Programme: Nine months of support, about 25 hours in total, plus two four-day events in the USA
Who: Startups, nonprofits and organisations worldwide with a working tech solution
Stages accepted: Prototype, pilot, growth or scale
Deadline: 6 November 2026, 12:00 pm EST (5:00 pm GMT)

What MIT Solve Is Looking For

Health systems face declining aid, shortages of health workers and the lasting impact of COVID-19, with routine childhood vaccination falling and tuberculosis and malaria cases rising. MIT Solve wants community-driven technology that helps health systems run better and reach the people who need care most. For 2027, it’s especially interested in solutions that:

Keep care going during crises, such as outbreaks, climate shocks, conflict or funding cuts, for example through early warnings, connected data systems, reliable supply chains or local production.
Prevent and manage non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as mental health conditions and the care needs of ageing populations.
Expand quality primary care to vulnerable communities by supporting frontline health workers or reducing cost, distance and paperwork.

MIT Solve defines “technology” broadly. It includes apps, SMS, software, AI, drones, robotics and blockchain, as well as traditional and natural knowledge systems.

Benefits

US$10,000 MIT Solve Solver Award for every selected team
Collegium Prize for Innovation, which brings each selected Health team’s guaranteed total to at least US$25,000
Extra prizes, such as the AI for Humanity Prize (up to US$150,000) and the Crescent Enterprises AI for Social Innovation Prize (up to US$100,000)
Nine-month support programme with workshops on business models, marketing, and monitoring and evaluation
Leadership coaching
Free or discounted resources, such as software licences and legal services
Events: Solver Orientation at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts (April) and Solve Challenge Finals in New York (September)
Media exposure and speaking opportunities
Lifelong access to the MIT Solve network and future funding (“once a Solver, always a Solver”)

Eligibility

Open to individuals, teams and organisations from any country, both for-profit and nonprofit.
Your solution must use technology to improve health or healthcare access.
It must be at least at prototype stage, meaning a working version, even if it hasn’t launched yet. Concept-stage ideas are only considered for the separate Indigenous Communities Fellowship.
Past Solver teams may apply only with a new solution.
A team lead can submit only one solution per challenge.

How Solutions Are Judged

Alignment with the Health Challenge
Potential for impact on the people you serve
Feasibility of your implementation plan
Innovative approach
Human-centred design: built with and for underserved communities
For finalists: scalability, partnership potential and technical feasibility

Selection Timeline

By 6 November 2026: submit your solution online.
Screening and expert review: top-scoring solutions become semi-finalists.
February 2027: finalists are notified and invited to a virtual live pitch.
After the pitches: judges select the 2027 Solver class.
April 2027: Solver Orientation in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
September 2027: Solve Challenge Finals in New York City.

Tips for a Strong Application

Start now. Most applicants say the application takes several hours. Download the PDF version to draft your answers first.
Show your users. Give real numbers, such as patients reached, clinics using your tool or health workers trained.
Prove community involvement. Explain how patients, nurses or community health workers helped shape your solution.
Address AI risks. If you use AI, explain how you handle data privacy and bias.
Have a plan for money. Show how the solution will be financially sustainable after the grant.
Join an application clinic. MIT Solve runs free online clinics, listed on its events calendar.