Programme announced for Davidson Inventors Challenge 2026

The programme has been confirmed for the 2025/26 Davidson Inventors Challenge (DIC) Final and Awards Ceremony, which will take place in Cambridge on Thursday 26 March.

Now in its sixth year, the national STEM competition has once more invited Year 11 and 12 students from across the UK to develop innovative solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The hybrid final will see shortlisted teams present their projects in person – introduced for the first time this year – while also engaging a live online audience.

Engineering technology company Bridges Ltd has joined this year’s Challenge as a sponsor and will contribute towards the 2026 winner’s prize.

The event will begin at 11am with a welcome from Dr Kamran Yunus, Associate Teaching Professor and Chair of the Davidson Inventors Challenge, followed by reflections on the role of chemical engineering and biotechnology in addressing global challenges.

Four finalist teams will present their ideas to a judging panel before a keynote address from alumnus Chris McDonald, UK Minister for Industry.

Professor Raffaella Ocone, President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), will deliver remarks on the future of chemical engineering and announce the 2026 winners, before certificates and trophies are awarded.

The ceremony will close, followed by an invitation-only lunch and reception for the finalists, bringing together the students, mentors, alumni in industry and members of the department who are taking part in this year's edition.

Hosted by the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology in collaboration with partners including the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the Challenge aims to inspire the next generation of innovators to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Last year’s winning team from Sutton Grammar School impressed judges with a modular water filtration system designed to address contaminated fresh water sources, demonstrating the competition’s emphasis on practical, scalable solutions.

* Please note: Only those registered before 26 March will receive a virtual link to watch the final

Programme

11:00-11:15 Welcome and intro

Davidson Inventors Challenge, Sustainable Development Goals, and Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology at Cambridge,
Dr Kamran Yunus, Associate Teaching Professor

Relevance of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology to Sustainable Development Goals,
Professor Geoff Moggridge, Professor of Chemical Engineering Science

11.15- 12.15 pm Presentations from the four shortlisted student teams

12.15- 12.30 pm Judging panel deliberations (Break for participants)

12.30-12.45 Keynote speech

Alumnus Chris McDonald MP, UK Minister for Industry

12.45- 12.55 IChemE President speech

A note on Chemical Engineering of the future and announcement of DIC 2026 winners and certificate and trophy award,
Professor Raffaella Ocone, IChemE President

12.55 Closing remarks by organisers

End of event

13:00-14:00 Informal invitation-only lunch and awards reception for shortlisted teams, mentors and alumni in industry.

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