Rewild the Future Challenge 2027
By Wageningen University & Research
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Quick Answer
Wageningen University challenge for student teams worldwide to design tech-enabled ideas that bring biodiversity back to rural land, with €9,000 in prizes.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Wageningen University & Research
- Application deadline
- 11d — 16 Nov 2026
- Eligible stage
- Idea
- Location
- International
About this competition
The Rewild the Future Challenge is a student innovation challenge run by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. It invites students from around the world to design innovative, technology-enabled and ecologically grounded solutions that enhance rural biodiversity. Finalists compete for €9,000 (about ₹9.81 lakh) in prizes, and registration closes on 16 November 2026.
Please note that this is a student challenge. It is not a grant or accelerator for registered startups or NGOs, so it only suits Indian applicants who are currently Bachelor's, Master's or PhD students.
What the program offers
Finalists present their solutions to an international jury and compete for €9,000 (about ₹9.81 lakh) in prizes. WUR has not published how the prize money is split between places, or how it is paid. The source does not say whether it goes to the team or to individuals.
Beyond the prize, the program gives all participating teams guidance from mentors in business, academia and NGOs, to turn ideas into practical solutions. There are workshops that build skills in innovation, teamwork and sustainability and deepen understanding of biodiversity challenges. WUR also promises a chance to connect with students from around the world and, for finalists, global visibility.
Who can apply
The challenge is open to all Bachelor's, Master's and PhD students worldwide. WUR is looking for people from many fields, including environmental science, biology, agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, environmental engineering, GIS, business, social entrepreneurship, data science, remote sensing and urban and regional planning, and says biodiversity restoration needs many disciplines working together.
For an applicant in India, this means students at any university can take part, as the challenge is open worldwide. It does not suit working founders who are not enrolled as students, or companies applying as organisations. The source does not give a team size or say whether a team must come from one university, so ask the organisers.
How to apply
The only formal step stated is registering before 16 November 2026. The page is marked as coming in autumn 2026 and offers a "Stay updated" sign-up, but it does not describe the registration form, the documents needed or the language. A practical tip: form a team across fields (for example ecology, data and business), register early, and contact the project team through the contact page on the WUR site if you need details on team size, the form or costs.
After registering, the timeline is: an inspiration workshop in December 2026, a kick-off event in January 2027, a first milestone deadline in February 2027, a second milestone deadline in April 2027 and the finals in June 2027.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Teams work through the two milestone deadlines with mentor support. Finalists present to an international jury at the finals in June 2027, and the jury awards the prizes. The source does not publish the judging criteria, the number of finalists or how finalists are chosen.
About Wageningen University & Research
WUR is a Dutch university and research organisation focused on life sciences and the environment. This challenge is the next edition in its student challenge series, and the page quotes a finalist team from an earlier Nature-Based Futures challenge. The source frames the challenge around rural biodiversity: habitat loss and degradation threaten ecosystems, food security and climate resilience, and WUR wants smarter land use, regenerative business models and scalable solutions.
Things to check before you apply
- The registration deadline is close: 16 November 2026.
- The source does not say whether the finals in June 2027 are in person in the Netherlands or online, or whether travel is paid for.
- It does not state an entry fee, team size limits or the judging criteria.
- Prize split and payout are not published.
Eligibility
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Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
Finalists present their solutions to an international jury and compete for €9,000 (about ₹9.81 lakh) in prizes. All teams get guidance from mentors in business, academia and NGOs and join workshops on innovation, teamwork and sustainability.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Teams work with mentors and meet two milestone deadlines, in February and April 2027. Finalists present their solutions to an international jury, which awards the prizes at the finals in June 2027. WUR has not published the judging criteria or the number of finalists.
Application Process
- 1
Register
Register your student team by 16 November 2026.
You - 2
- 3
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 join the Rewild the Future Challenge 2027?
The challenge is open to all Bachelor's, Master's and PhD students worldwide. WUR welcomes many fields, from biology and agriculture to GIS, business and data science. It is a student challenge, so it is not aimed at registered companies.
Can students in India join the Rewild the Future Challenge?
Yes. The challenge is open to students worldwide, so students enrolled at an Indian university can take part. The source does not say whether a team must come from one university or how large it may be.
Can an Indian startup or NGO apply?
The challenge is framed for students, not organisations. A startup or NGO as such is not described as eligible, though enrolled students who work on such ideas can register as a team.
How much is the prize money?
Finalists compete for €9,000 (about ₹9.81 lakh) in prizes. WUR has not published how this is split between places.
How is the prize paid out?
The source does not say how or to whom the prize money is paid. Ask the organisers through the contact page on the WUR challenge page.
What is the deadline and what if it has passed?
Registration closes on 16 November 2026. The source does not mention late registration or a next edition, so if you miss it, watch the WUR page for any future round.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is a student competition with prizes for finalists. No equity is mentioned, and the money is a prize rather than a grant for running a project.
What do I need to submit?
The source only says teams meet milestone deadlines in February and April 2027 and finalists present to a jury in June 2027. It does not list documents or the format of the milestones.
Do I have to travel to the Netherlands?
The source does not say whether the finals are in person or online, or whether travel is covered. Check with the WUR project team before you plan.
Is it free to enter, and when are the results announced?
No entry fee is stated, but the source does not confirm it is free either. Finalists present and the prizes are awarded at the finals in June 2027.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
