Robothon Grand Challenge 2025
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
Global remote robotics contest from automatica Munich: teams of 2–4 build an autonomous robot solution; at least €10,000 in prizes. The 2025 call is closed.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Messe München
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 29 April 2025. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Messe München. 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 Robothon Grand Challenge 2025 call for teams is closed. The pages read state no application deadline for 2025; the closing date recorded for this listing is 28 April 2025. The official page does not describe a 2026 or 2027 edition; it only shows that the automatica fair next takes place in Munich on 22–25 June 2027, and it gives no date for the next Robothon call.
Robothon® – The Grand Challenge is a global robotics competition in advanced manipulation, run by the automatica trade fair (Messe München) as part of its munich_i platform, with the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence at the Technical University of Munich. It is open to international teams, so a team from India can enter. Most of it runs online from your own lab, though the award ceremony takes place at the fair in Munich. The page does not say that winners must attend in person.
What the program offers
The jury awards prize money of at least €10,000 (about ₹10.9 lakh) to the best teams; that "at least €10,000" is the only prize total the page states. The 2025 results on the page list €8,000 (about ₹8.72 lakh) for first place, €6,000 for second and €2,000 for third, which add up to €16,000. The €8,000 is therefore the first prize only, not the whole pool. Accepted teams also receive a competition task board by mail and take part in an international robotics community. The page does not say how prize money is paid out or in which currency beyond the euro amounts, so ask the organisers if that matters to you.
Who can apply
Teams of two to four roboticists, all over 18, can apply; individuals cannot apply alone. University teams and private teams are equally welcome. Because the contest is distributed, every team must bring its own robot platform, development computer and tools. A team from India can take part from its own lab, since the task board is posted to accepted teams. It suits university labs, robotics startups and hobby teams that already own a robot arm and have experience programming it, and it does not suit a single developer or a team without hardware.
How to apply
Applicants fill in the Call for Teams form on the Robothon page. The application includes each member's name and a short CV with photo, a paragraph on the team's motivation, a paragraph on your capabilities with your robot platform, a picture of the robot system and a short video about previous work. There is no application fee. A practical tip: show hands-on manipulation experience clearly in the video, because the jury reviews every team application.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The Grand Challenge Jury reviews each team application. Accepted teams receive the task board and join a kick-off meeting where the final rules and scorecard are released. In 2025 the challenge was about electronic waste: five new manipulation tasks of rising difficulty on an electronic task board, then transferring those skills to processing an e-waste object of the team's choice. Teams had four weeks to build an autonomous solution, then submitted results and a recorded video and presented live to the jury. The 2025 "Important dates" differ between the English and German versions of the page. Both give the kick-off on 2 May and the award ceremony on 27 June at the automatica fair in Munich. The English page has results due on 9 June and live presentations on 11 and 12 June; the German page has results due on 28 May and live presentations on 1 to 3 June. The jury judges tasks completed, speed, robustness and creativity.
About the organisers
Robothon® is part of munich_i, a high-tech platform at automatica run by Messe München. The online, distributed format has also inspired an EU-funded project of 31 research institutes, universities and industrial partners that uses a similar concept.
Things to check before you apply
- The task each year changes, so read the new rules after the kick-off.
- You supply your own robot, computer and tools.
- The page gives no formal eligibility criteria beyond the team size and age limits, so check the FAQ when the next call opens.
- The English and German versions of the page give different results and presentation dates for 2025, so rely on the dates sent to accepted teams.
- Whether you must travel to Munich to receive a prize is not stated.
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 Grand Challenge Jury awards the top teams recognition and prize money of at least €10,000 (about ₹10.9 lakh). In 2025 first place received €8,000 (about ₹8.72 lakh), second place €6,000 (about ₹6.54 lakh) and third place €2,000 (about ₹2.18 lakh). Each accepted team receives the competition task board by mail, and there is no application fee.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The Grand Challenge Jury reviews every team application. Accepted teams get four weeks after the kick-off to build their solution, then submit results and a recorded team video and present live to the jury. The jury ranks teams on tasks completed, execution speed, robustness and creativity.
Application Process
- 1
Apply as a team
Submit the Call for Teams form with CVs, motivation, robot details and a video.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
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
Can a team from India take part in Robothon?
Yes. The competition is open to international teams and runs mostly online, so teams work from their own lab. The organisers mail the task board to accepted teams.
Who can apply?
Teams of two to four people, all over 18. University teams and private teams are both welcome. Solo applications are not accepted.
What do we need to take part?
Your own robot platform, development computer and tools. The organisers mail you the competition task board.
How much is the prize?
The jury awards prize money of at least €10,000 (about ₹10.9 lakh); that is the only total the page states. The 2025 results list €8,000 for first place, €6,000 for second and €2,000 for third, together €16,000, so €8,000 is the first prize, not the whole pool.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is a competition prize, not a grant or equity. The page describes no ownership claim on your work.
Is there a fee to apply?
No, there is no application fee.
When was the deadline, and what if it has passed?
The pages read give no application deadline for 2025 (the closing date recorded for this listing is 28 April 2025). They give no date for the next Robothon call; the automatica fair next runs on 22–25 June 2027 in Munich.
What materials do I need to apply?
A short CV with photo for each member, a motivation paragraph, a paragraph on your robot capabilities, a picture of your robot system and a short video of previous work.
Do I have to travel?
The competition itself runs online, and the live presentations to the jury are part of the schedule. The award ceremony took place at the automatica fair in Munich; the page does not say whether winners must attend.
When are results announced?
The award ceremony was on 27 June 2025 at the automatica fair in Munich. The English page lists live presentations on 11 and 12 June and results due on 9 June; the German page lists live presentations on 1 to 3 June and results due on 28 May.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
