RELX Environmental Challenge 2026
By RELX
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Quick Answer
An annual global skill-based competition offering two US$75,000 prizes for innovative projects in sustainable access to safe water/sanitation or ocean-related innovation.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- RELX
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 13 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by RELX. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The RELX Environmental Challenge 2026 is an international skill-based competition hosted by RELX (UK) Limited, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools. Since its inception in 2011, this annual challenge has championed projects demonstrating impactful solutions for sustainable access to safe water and sanitation. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the 2026 Challenge significantly expands its reach by offering two distinct US$75,000 awards.
These awards target two critical environmental areas: one dedicated to Clean Water or Sanitation and another focused on Ocean-related innovation. The Clean Water or Sanitation category seeks projects that can demonstrably advance sustainable access to safe water in at-risk regions or improve existing sanitation systems. This includes innovative technologies, community engagement models, and policy-level interventions designed to ensure equitable and lasting access to these fundamental resources.
The newly introduced Ocean category aims to support initiatives that protect ocean health, preserve vital marine ecosystems, or develop novel, ocean-based solutions contributing to broader environmental sustainability and resilience. This can encompass everything from combating plastic pollution and restoring coral reefs to pioneering sustainable aquaculture and leveraging ocean data for climate action. The Challenge operates under RELX's comprehensive Corporate Responsibility program, reflecting the company's commitment to global environmental stewardship.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
RELX is a UK-headquartered global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers, and the parent company of Elsevier (publisher of ScienceDirect) and LexisNexis. Through its Corporate Responsibility programme, RELX runs the…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
What You Get
Winners of the RELX Environmental Challenge 2026 will receive a substantial prize of US$75,000, delivered as a single lump-sum payment. This significant financial support is intended to directly enable the launch, sustenance, or expansion of the winning proposal, transforming innovative ideas into tangible, impactful solutions. Beyond the monetary award, each winning project will also gain one year of complimentary access to ScienceDirect, RELX's premier scientific, technical, and medical full-text database. This valuable resource provides access to millions of articles and books, offering critical research and data to further develop and validate their environmental innovations. The combined financial and informational resources aim to provide a robust platform for awardees to accelerate their projects and maximize their positive environmental impact.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Cohort size
- 2 startups
- Funding source
- CSR funded
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The selection process for the RELX Environmental Challenge involves a rigorous multi-stage evaluation. Initially, all submitted applications are carefully reviewed against the stated Challenge criteria by the RELX Environmental Challenge advisory group. This group comprises a diverse panel of internal RELX colleagues alongside external specialists in water, sanitation, and broader sustainability fields. The advisory group is responsible for narrowing down the pool of applicants to a select shortlist of semi-finalists.
Subsequently, this shortlist is presented to an expert panel of judges, which includes both external industry experts and internal RELX leaders. Shortlisted candidates are then extended an invitation to make a formal presentation to this esteemed judging panel, providing an opportunity to elaborate on their proposals and answer questions directly. The announcement of the shortlist is anticipated in or after August 2026, with the final winners being revealed in or after October 2026. All judging decisions made throughout this process are final and not subject to appeal, ensuring a definitive and transparent outcome.
Application Process
- 1
Apply Online
Submit your project proposal via the official awards platform.
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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
What is the primary goal of the RELX Environmental Challenge?
The Challenge aims to award innovative projects that demonstrate significant potential in providing sustainable access to safe water or sanitation, or in supporting ocean health, marine ecosystems, and ocean-based environmental solutions. It seeks to foster impactful solutions to critical global environmental issues.
Who is eligible to apply for this Challenge?
The Challenge is open to individuals, teams of individuals, and organizations (including educational institutions, not-for-profits, and corporations) from anywhere in the world, provided applicants are 21 years of age or older and operate under applicable local laws.
What kind of projects are preferred?
The Challenge primarily seeks early-stage projects that showcase innovation, strong potential for replicability, scalability, and sustainability, practical applicability, and significant local/community-level engagement.
How much funding can a winning project receive?
There are two separate prizes, each awarding US$75,000 to a winning project. This is a one-time, lump-sum payment designed to support the development and implementation of the proposal.
Besides funding, what other benefits do winners receive?
In addition to the monetary prize, each winning project receives one year of free access to ScienceDirect, RELX's comprehensive scientific, technical, and medical database, providing invaluable research resources.
What is the application deadline for the 2026 Challenge?
Applications must be submitted through the awards platform by 23:59 GMT on 12 July 2026. Applicants should ensure they convert this time to their local timezone to avoid missing the deadline.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
