Nabat TerraPod Challenge 2026
By ASPIRE (Advanced Technology Research Council)
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Quick Answer
Abu Dhabi challenge for a low-cost, drone-deployable seed-carrier to regreen the UAE desert. US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) prize. Submit a proposal by 19 November 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- 14d — 19 Nov 2026
- Location
- International
About this competition
The Nabat TerraPod Challenge is run by ASPIRE, part of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), together with Nabat AI Technologies, a Masdar City company that restores vegetation using drones. The challenge asks for a scalable, low-cost seed-carrier that Nabat's drones can drop to bring plants back to the UAE's desert and arid land. The prize is US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh), and the first-phase proposal deck is due by 19 November 2026 (the listing deadline falls at the end of that day in India).
The rules open the challenge to individuals aged 18 or over, and teams may enter through a representative. It is not restricted to the UAE, and the only excluded places are those under UAE, UN, US or EU sanctions, so Indian startups and researchers can take part. It suits agritech, materials, biotech and robotics teams with real germination data.
What the program offers
The prize is US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) for the winning team, plus the opportunity to form a commercial partnership with Nabat. The source says incentives are subject to availability and cannot be transferred, and that winners bear their own taxes and duties. The organisers also say no winner has to be chosen if no proposal is good enough.
Before a prize is paid, the winner has to supply valid ID, bank account details in their own name and any tax or residency documents requested. If the winner cannot be reached for more than 60 days after the first attempt, or declines the prize, the right to it lapses.
Who can apply
Individuals aged 18 or over can enter, and teams enter through a representative with authority to act for them. Team members cannot change without the organiser's written consent. People or entities registered or ordinarily resident in a country under UAE, UN, US or EU sanctions are excluded, as is anyone involved in illegal activity. Staff and relatives of the organisers must declare the relationship, and anyone who has received funding for their solution from other programmes must disclose it.
How to apply
Create an account on the ChallengeON platform and open the Nabat TerraPod Challenge page, then fill in the participation form and upload an 8 to 10 slide proposal deck as a PDF of no more than 10 MB. English is the official language. The deck should describe the seed-carrier: its seed composition, dimensions, preparation and deployment method, compatibility with drone seeding, evidence of past deployment and success rates, germination data compared with nearby reference sites, an indicative cost of AED 0.4 or less per carrier, biodegradability and freedom from microplastics, production capacity over the next five years, and how ready it is (prototype or a credible plan). A practical tip: back every claim with a reference or data, since experts later check that claims are accurate.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Phase 1 begins with a pass or fail check for spam or irrelevance, then scoring on overall quality and sustainability, germination effectiveness, cost effectiveness, fit with Nabat's drone, and production and scalability. The shortlist is announced in November 2026. In Phase 2, in December 2026, shortlisted teams give a short live video pitch, judged on experience, track record (including testing in desert or dry conditions) and team competence. In Phase 3, finalists supply validation materials by 1 January 2027, and experts check their claims, with validation complete in March 2027. The winner is notified by the second quarter of 2027. Panel decisions are final, and AI tools may help with screening but no decision is made on AI output alone without human review.
About ASPIRE, ATRC and Nabat
ATRC is an Abu Dhabi council set up by law in 2020, and ASPIRE is its subsidiary that runs the challenge. Nabat AI Technologies is the challenge partner, located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. Agorize provides the platform and administration but does not decide awards.
Things to check before you apply
- You keep ownership of your own intellectual property, but winners grant the organisers a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use the winning solution.
- Participants must keep other entrants' information confidential for two years after the challenge ends, and finalists may need to sign a separate NDA.
- You must attend, or send a team member to, events such as pitches, testing and award ceremonies. The source does not say where they happen or whether travel is covered.
- Disclose any open-source components in your submission.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The winning team receives US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) and the opportunity to form a commercial partnership with Nabat. Before payment the winner must provide valid identification, bank account details in their own name and any tax or residency documents requested; payment is made after these are verified, and the winner is responsible for any taxes on the prize. Shortlisted solutions are tested on Nabat's drone platform at UAE desert sites in January–February 2027. The winner keeps ownership of the intellectual property and grants the organisers a non-exclusive, perpetual licence to it.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Proposals go through a pass or fail check, then are scored on quality and sustainability, germination effectiveness, cost effectiveness, fit with Nabat's drone and production scalability. Shortlisted teams give a live video pitch in December 2026, judged on track record and team competence. Finalists provide validation materials by 1 January 2027, experts check their claims by March 2027, and a winner is chosen by the second quarter of 2027. Panel decisions are final.
Application Process
- 1
Submit proposal
Send the participation form and an 8–10 slide proposal deck by 19 November 2026.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter the Nabat TerraPod Challenge?
Individuals aged 18 or over can enter, and teams enter through a representative with authority to act for them. People or entities registered or ordinarily resident in countries under UAE, UN, US or EU sanctions are excluded. Staff and relatives of the organisers must declare their relationship.
Can Indian startups apply for the Nabat TerraPod Challenge?
Yes, the rules exclude only sanctioned countries and India is not one of them. The challenge is aimed at innovators worldwide, so you do not need to be based in the UAE. Be ready to attend pitches or testing events if you progress.
How much is the Nabat TerraPod Challenge prize?
The prize is US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) for the winning team, plus the opportunity to form a commercial partnership with Nabat. The source does not mention prizes for other finalists.
How is the TerraPod prize paid?
Before payment the winner must provide valid ID, bank account details in their own name and any tax or residency documents requested, and payment is made only after verification. Winners bear their own taxes and duties. The source does not name the payout currency.
What is the Nabat TerraPod deadline, and what if it has passed?
The Phase 1 proposal deadline is 19 November 2026. Late or incomplete entries may be rejected. The source does not mention a second round, so a missed deadline means watching for any future challenge.
Is the Nabat TerraPod Challenge a grant or equity?
It is a prize, and the source describes no equity being taken. You keep ownership of your intellectual property. Winners do grant a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use the winning solution, and the winner can seek a commercial partnership with Nabat.
What do I need to submit to the Nabat TerraPod Challenge?
You submit the participation form and an 8 to 10 slide PDF deck of up to 10 MB, in English. It covers your seed-carrier design, deployment evidence, germination data, cost per carrier of AED 0.4 or less, materials, five-year production capacity and readiness.
Do I have to travel for the Nabat TerraPod Challenge?
Participants must attend, or send a team member to, events such as pitching sessions, testing and award ceremonies. The source does not say where these take place or whether travel costs are covered. Unexplained absences can lead to disqualification.
Is it free to enter the Nabat TerraPod Challenge?
The source does not state an entry fee. Check the ChallengeON challenge page when you register.
When will the Nabat TerraPod winner be announced?
The Phase 1 shortlist is announced in November 2026, video pitches follow in December 2026, and expert validation is complete in March 2027. The winner is notified by the second quarter of 2027.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
