Open Solutions for Local Impact – An AI-Powered Open Science Challenge

We are pleased to launch the IP4OS Open Innovation Challenges (OIC) under the theme: “Open Solutions for Local Impact: An AI-Powered Open Science Challenge.”

This challenge invites participants across disciplines and jurisdictions to collaborate in multi-professional teams to develop AI-enabled solutions to real-world scientific or societal problems, applying Open Science principles and FAIR-aligned sharing practices.

Why this Challenge? 

Many societal and scientific challenges require collaborative, transparent, and interdisciplinary approaches. The Open Innovation Challenges aim to foster innovation through Open Science (OS) by bringing together diverse expertise to co-create solutions that are open, reusable, and socially impactful.

Under the theme “Open Solutions for Local Impact: An AI-Powered Open Science Challenge,” participants will apply Artificial Intelligence together with Open Science practices to generate solutions that can create measurable local and broader societal value.

What is the Challenge?

Participants work in  multi-professional teams across different jurisdictions to identify a real-world scientific or societal problem within their local context  that could be addressed with AI (e.g., water quality monitoring, early disease detection, educational inequality, etc.). 

Using Open Science principles, the participants task is to: 

1.Design a solution to address the identified problem, ensuring that the data, models and results you use or produce are shared openly, in line with FAIR principles.

2.Identify any potential Intellectual Property (IP) issues related to the solution (e.g. datasets, algorithms, or software).

3.Propose a knowledge valorisation plan, i.e., a way your open solution could generate social, economic, or scientific value – e.g. via open innovation, open licensing, or policy uptake.

Who can participate?

We welcome applications from multi-professional teams, including but not limited to:

• Researchers and academics

• Innovators and entrepreneurs

• Technology specialists and data scientists

• Knowledge transfer professionals

• Policy or public sector experts

• Students and early-career professionals

Diverse teams combining different areas of expertise are strongly encouraged.

Challenge deliverables

Each team will provide:

• A short written report (max. 5 pages) including:

• Problem description and local context

• Overview of the AI-powered solution

• Application of Open Science principles

• Basic intellectual property assessment

• Knowledge valorisation strategy

• A 3-minute video pitch presenting the solution and expected impact.

Evaluation criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance and clarity of the problem

• Effective use of Open Science principles

• Understanding and handling of intellectual property

• Creativity and feasibility of the valorisation plan

• Quality of interdisciplinary collaboration

Why participate?

Selected teams will receive visibility and presentation opportunities at the IP4OS event in October 2026:

• 1st Prize: Fully funded participation and presentation at the IP4OS event

• 2nd Prize: Speaking slot at the IP4OS event

• 3rd Prize: Video presentation at the event

• Top 10 teams: Publication of submissions on the IP4OS website

Timeline

• March-April 2026: Call for applications open

• May 2026: Review of all applications and shortlisting of 10 best applications through a review process by the jury

• End of May 2026: Announcement of the 10 shortlisted candidates

• June-August 2026: Mentoring and capacity development for shortlisted candidates

• September 2026: Final pitches of 10 shortlisted candidates 

• October 2026: Presentation of the winning project at the IP4OS event 

How to participate? 

Interested teams can register via the application form HERE.

For questions, please contact: 

Katharina Miller (hello@miller.international)

Vanessa Guzek (hello@miller.international). 

We look forward to receiving innovative open solutions that create local impact through collaboration and Open Science.