Arctic Innovation Competition submissions open for 2027
Lauren White
907-474-5942
Oct. 29, 2026
At the 2026 Arctic Innovation Competition’s award ceremony, Main Division finalists join, at far left, UAF ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø of Business and Security Management Associate Dean Mark Herrmann and, at far right, Usibelli Coal Mine Vice President of Public Relations Lisa Putnam and Usibelli Coal Mine Senior Projects Engineer Justin Seavey.
The is accepting ideas for 2027. Competitors of all ages in North America may submit their ideas for a chance to win cash prizes of up to $15,000.
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø of Business and Security Management hosts the competition with a presenting sponsorship from Usibelli Coal Mine.
Ideas are sorted by participant age into the (18 and older), the (13-17) and the (12 and under). Ideas do not have to be Arctic-based.
Participants compete for a total of over $45,000 divided into more than 20 cash prizes and scholarships. Junior and Cub divisions sponsored by Kinross Fort Knox will share almost $4,000 in cash prizes, as well as $14,000 from Alaska 529 as contributions to higher education savings plans.
Additional prizes include four $2,000 awarded to Main Division finalists with the best idea in four categories: Arctic, sustainability, climate adaptation and Alaska college student submission. Ideas may fall in more than one category. Any Alaska college student winners will also receive a sponsored trip to the Dempsey Startup Competition in Seattle through the UAF Center for Innovation to further develop their ideas and connect with the entrepreneurial community.
The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Alaska time on Friday, Feb. 26, 2027.
The competition will follow a schedule of virtual semifinal events. The final presentations and award ceremony will be at the 8 Star Events Center on Saturday, April 17, 2027.
To learn more and submit an idea, visit the . If you have questions about the competition, contact the AIC team at 907-474-6518 or uaf-aic@alaska.edu.
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