UNICEF Climate & Health Innovation Challenge 2026 – Funding for Tech Startups Tackling Climate-Related Child Health Risks @Funding for Tech Startups Tackling Climate-Related Child Health Risks

UNICEF Climate & Health Innovation Challenge 2026 Summary Details

Title: UNICEF Climate & Health Innovation Challenge 2026
Location: Remote / Online (Applicants from UNICEF’s programme countries)
Closing Date: 17 May 2026
Contract: Funding (up to US$100,000), equity-free

Summary

UNICEF is inviting frontier tech startups to participate in the Climate & Health Innovation Challenge 2026 to develop scalable solutions at the intersection of health, climate, and technology.

This initiative offers funding and support to innovative startups committed to protecting vulnerable communities, especially children, from climate-related health risks.

The challenge targets startups with working prototypes, leveraging AI, data science, or digital tools, and building open-source solutions with global relevance.

Selected startups will receive up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding, with an emphasis on companies from emerging markets, women-led startups, and young founders.

Who Should Apply

Eligibility Criteria:

• Startups based in emerging markets with an existing prototype (MVP)
• Innovators utilizing AI, data science, or digital technologies
• Teams creating open-source, scalable health solutions
• Founders committed to impact in low-resource settings

Focus Areas:

• Climate-focused frontier technology solutions
• Innovations with the potential for radical change for children’s health
• Companies pushing technological boundaries with global applicability

Application Details

Funding & Support:

• Up to US$100,000 in equity-free funding
• Technologies including AI, machine learning, and blockchain
• Open-source licensing and practices encouraged

Application Deadline:

• 17 May 2026

How to Apply:

• Apply here

Why Apply?

This is a unique opportunity for startups to scale impactful innovations, gain visibility, and contribute to global efforts in mitigating climate-driven health risks for children.

UNICEF’s support aims to foster technological breakthroughs in low-resource settings, with a particular emphasis on women-led enterprises and young entrepreneurs.