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CompetitionUniversity of Cambridge Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, with IChemE

Davidson Inventors Challenge 2026/27

Teams pick a UN Sustainable Development Goal, research a real problem and propose a sustainable, innovative engineering solution. Each team gets a mentor and the process runs from November to a final in April.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
University of Cambridge Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, with IChemE[1]
Who it’s for
Teams of Year 11 and Year 12 students from UK schools. Maximum of two submissions per school; up to 100 projects selected.[2]
Entry
A teacher or school enters
Worth
An expert mentor for each team, webinars, and for the winners a cash prize, a trophy and a day at the department.[3]
Cost
No entry fee stated on the pages read.
Year groups
Year 11, Year 12
Where
UK-wide (Mostly online with mentors; final at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Cambridge)
Format
Hybrid

Sources

4 sources

  1. University of Cambridge Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

    Davidson Inventors Challenge

    Each participating team will choose one SDG, research an associated problem, and craft a sustainable, innovative solution.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  2. University of Cambridge Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

    Davidson Inventors Challenge

    an annual competition for Year 11 and 12 students from across schools in the UK

    Checked 24 October 2026

  3. University of Cambridge Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

    Davidson Inventors Challenge

    Winners will also be awarded a cash prize and a winning trophy.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  4. University of Cambridge Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

    Davidson Inventors Challenge

    Team sign-up deadline: 1 November

    Checked 24 October 2026

Details checked by the Born to Engineer editorial team. Always confirm dates on the provider’s site before applying.

More competition opportunities

All opportunities

Sentinus Young Innovators 2026 (Young Engineer of the Year)

Closes in 7 days

CompetitionSentinus

Students choose a Sentinus engineering challenge (Retrofit Revolution, Flood Futures or Smart Streets) or their own idea and submit an online poster. Finalists are invited to Belfast to be judged by industry experts.

Worth
£1,000 for each category winner. The overall Sentinus Young Innovator wins a funded trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair 2027 in the USA, plus an accelerator programme and industry links.
Who
Individuals or teams of up to 3 for the Young Engineer category (there are also Young Scientist, Young Mathematician and Young Coder categories). Applicants must be aged under 19 on 1 July 2027.
Entry
Students or a school can enter
Deadline
Registrations close 31 October 2026. Online poster submission by 6 November 2026. Live finals on Thursday 26 November 2026 at Ulster University, Belfast.

Visit sentinus.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Sentinus Young Innovators 2026 (Young Engineer of the Year)

QEPrize Create the Trophy 2027

Closes in 34 days

CompetitionQueen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation

Design the trophy for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering using a free 3D design app and submit it online. The winning design is 3D printed and presented to the prize winners in London.

Worth
A high-end laptop, a model of the winning trophy, and a trip to London to see the 3D printed design presented to the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering winners.
Who
Anyone aged 14 to 24 on 27 November 2026 (UK students can enter). Entry is individual, via the free QEPrize 3D Design Studio app.
Entry
Students apply themselves
Deadline
Entries opened on 1 September 2026. Closing date is 23:59 GMT on 27 November 2026.

Visit qeprize.org (opens in a new tab)Details: QEPrize Create the Trophy 2027

UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) 2027

Open now

CompetitionADS Group

Teams design, build and launch a model rocket carrying raw eggs to a set altitude. A well-established aerospace engineering challenge with regional heats across the UK.

Worth
A place at the UK National Final and a chance to compete in the International Rocketry Challenge
Who
Teams of students aged 11 to 18 from UK schools, colleges and youth groups
Entry
A teacher or school enters
Deadline
Registration closes 31 December 2026. Regional heats 19 March to 18 April 2027, UK National Final on 30 April 2027, International Final at the Paris Air Show on 17 and 18 June 2027

Visit ukroc.com (opens in a new tab)Details: UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) 2027