Innovation challenge - sustainable chemistry innovations

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), KNUST invites innovative start-ups to apply for the ISC3 Innovation Challenge 2026: Sustainable Chemistry & Electronics.

This annual challenge is organized by the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) to promote breakthrough innovations in sustainable chemistry.

Key Highlights:

  • Funder: International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre

  • Award Amount: Total prize pool of EUR 25,000

  • Application Deadline: 4 May 2026 (00:00 CET)

  • Target Group: Global start-ups

  • Focus Theme (2026): Sustainable Chemistry & Electronics

Award Categories:

  • Overall Innovation Challenge Winner

  • Two Special Impact Awards (for outstanding environmental and societal impact)

All selected finalists will receive:

  • Tailored support from the ISC3 Global Start-up Service

  • Professional pitch training

  • International visibility and promotion opportunities

Finalists will pitch before an international jury, with the award ceremony held in autumn/winter 2026.

Focus Areas for 2026:

1. Innovation in Design & Performance

  • Eco-design for durability, repairability, recyclability, and modularity

  • Design for disassembly using removable/dissolvable adhesives and coatings

  • Sustainable solders, encapsulants, and safer solvent systems

2. Resource Efficiency & Safer Substitution

  • Alternatives to critical raw materials and toxic metals

  • Use of abundant, non-toxic, recycled, or recyclable feedstocks

3. Sustainable Manufacturing

  • Low-energy and low-waste fabrication methods

  • Green solvents and safer chemical routes

  • Biodegradable electronic components

  • Ethical supply chains addressing social justice concerns

4. End-of-Life & Circularity

  • Chemical and electrochemical recycling methods

  • E-waste recovery of valuable materials (e.g., Li, Co, Au)

  • Closed-loop systems and prevention of material dissipation

5. Alternative & Emerging Materials

  • Organic and polymer electronics

  • 2D materials (e.g., graphene, MoSâ‚‚, MXenes)

  • MOFs and COFs for sensing and energy storage

  • Self-healing and biodegradable materials

  • Sustainable alternatives to fossil-based plastics used in electronics

6. Novel Sustainable Devices

  • Sustainable energy storage and conversion systems (batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells)

  • Organic electronics, photonics, optoelectronics (OLEDs, OPVs, perovskite solar cells)

Objective:

The Innovation Challenge seeks transformative solutions that:

  • Advance sustainable chemistry in electronics

  • Reduce environmental impact across the product lifecycle

  • Promote circular economy principles

  • Deliver measurable environmental and social impact

Start-ups with innovative, scalable solutions in sustainable chemistry and electronics are strongly encouraged to apply before the 4 May 2026 deadline.