Samsung Launched 17th Annual Solve for Tomorrow Contest
The national STEM competition for middle and high school students is now accepting project entries nationwide.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Scholarships
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Samsung has officially opened the 17th annual Solve for Tomorrow competition, inviting public school students in grades 6-12 to tackle real-world community challenges. The program aims to foster innovation through science, technology, engineering, and math.
Why it matters
By leveraging classroom-based problem solving, the competition encourages students to apply STEM skills to improve their local surroundings. The new AI Impact Award further highlights the importance of ethical innovation in developing future technologies.
The competition is open to students in grades 6-12, with educators required to submit answers to five specific application questions. The top national prize package includes up to $50,000 in Samsung technology and educational resources.
The players
Samsung
A multinational technology conglomerate that sponsors the Solve for Tomorrow initiative to promote STEM education in public schools.
MIT Solve
An initiative from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that partners with organizations to advance social impact through open innovation challenges.
The details
Educators apply on behalf of their classrooms by outlining community challenges and proposing STEM-based solutions using a methodology provided by MIT Solve. Projects focused on ethical AI implementation are eligible for the newly introduced AI Impact Award.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: The competition officially opened for entries.
November 23, 2026: The final deadline for all project applications.
Culture Shift
The competition aligns with the broader societal movement toward integrating professional-grade innovation platforms into secondary education. By utilizing the MIT Solve platform, this initiative signals a shift from traditional science fairs toward collaborative, real-world impact projects.
Educators in public schools can now begin the application process to secure significant technology resources for their students. Participation requires dedicating time to document community challenges, which may influence the classroom curriculum for the remainder of the school year.
The takeaway
This competition offers a pathway for schools to acquire high-value technology while addressing local community issues. Teachers should prioritize the five-question application to ensure their classroom projects are ready before the November deadline.
Further reading
Find more opportunities for students by browsing our Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SamMobile.
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Do you believe student technology competitions effectively encourage meaningful problem-solving in your local schools?
