8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize 2025

AI Solutions for Public Service in BRICS Countries

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) of South Africa, operating under the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation, invites young innovators to compete for the 8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize. This competition is part of the 10th BRICS Young Scientist Forum, happening on 15–17 September 2025 in Brasília, Brazil, under Brazil’s BRICS presidency.

 Who Can Participate?

• Innovators must be under 40 years old by 31 December 2025
• Must be BRICS nationals or permanent residents (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)
• Only one project submission per person, and the entrant must be the original author of the innovation

 Project Requirements

• Must focus on Artificial Intelligence applied to Public Service Solutions—projects outside this theme will not be considered
• Projects should be innovative and pre-market (e.g., pilot-phase, undergoing certification, or preparing for launch) and must target pressing social, economic, or developmental challenges in contemporary BRICS societies
• Corporate or merged innovations are not eligible

 Awards & Benefits

Cash prizes to be awarded upon verification of eligibility:

• 1st Prize: USD 25,000
• 2nd Prize: USD 15,000
• 3rd Prize: USD 10,000
  Payments are processed through Brazilian banking systems and require candidate bank details.

 Timeline & Submission Details

• Application opens: 10 July 2025
• Submission deadline: 7 August 2025 by 23:59
• Applications via email to: [email protected] (no portal)
• Finalists will present to an expert panel during the Forum in Brasília
  (tia.org.za)

 Required Materials

Submit the following in English:

• Completed application form (signed and dated)
• CV or biography, and a recent photo (min. 250×300 px)
• Project data: Word/PowerPoint, images, or video files as needed
• Responses to:
  • Nomination Statement (≤300 words)
  • Project Innovation Statement (≤300 words)
  • Any prior innovation awards or achievements
    All submissions must be final—no edits permitted after submission.
    (tia.org.za, FundsforNGOs, humanitarianfunds.com)

 Why This Prize Matters

• Promotes youth-led technological innovation across BRICS nations
• Aligns AI with public service improvements, such as governance, citizen engagement, service delivery, and social inclusion
• Provides global exposure through the BRICS Young Scientist Forum and engagement with institutional panels
• Cash awards support the further development or deployment of winning innovations
  (tia.org.za)

 Official Link