MIT Solve: Indigenous Communities Fellowship Grant is a grant from MIT Solve that funds tech-enabled, community-driven solutions by and for Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada. The 2025 Fellowship prioritizes innovations that strengthen sustainable energy sovereignty, promote ethical AI and data use, and support culturally grounded education.

Selected Solver teams receive a nine-month support program including capacity-building workshops, access to pro bono resources, and connections to the MIT network. Supplemental prizes of up to ,000 are available for solutions addressing climate, food systems, workforce development, and AI for humanity. Solutions at concept through scale stage are eligible.

Applications closed April 17, 2025, with finalists announced July 30, 2025.

2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship | MIT Solve How can Indigenous communities in the US and Canada build upon traditional knowledge and technology to meet their social, environmental, and economic goals?

2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship February 3, 2025 9:00am EST April 17, 2025 12:00pm EDT Semifinalists announced and feedback on review round provided June 27, 2025 12:00pm EDT July 30, 2025 12:00pm EDT September 22, 2025 9:00am EDT Innovations addressing Indigenous communities’ needs are as diverse and expansive as the communities themselves, with entrepreneurs harnessing traditional knowledge systems, values, and teachings to reimagine and renew what is possible in their communities and beyond.

Across the past seven years of the Fellowship, these innovations spanning the United States and Canada show a long legacy of ingenuity, self-determination, and community-first organizing. Whether working in the fields to deploy food sovereignty programming, or behind a computer developing algorithms for community benefit—at the core of the Fellows’ work is the intersection of tech-enabled and culturally grounded solutions.

Central to modern Indigenous innovation in the United States and Canada is the importance of approaches that strengthen and protect the sovereignty of Indigenous nations.

With this in mind, innovations continue to harness traditional knowledge and technology to solve some of the greatest challenges facing our shared earth, driving solutions to promote energy, food, and data sovereignty, climate resilience, culturally grounded education, and positive physical and mental health outcomes.

While this innovation flourishes at the community level, it’s incumbent upon organizations such as Solve to catalyze resources and support for these outstanding changemakers.

MIT Solve seeks exceptional innovators supporting community-based solutions for and with Indigenous communities across the United States and Canada, with a particular interest for 2025 in solutions that: Strengthen sustainable energy sovereignty and support climate resilience.

Develop tools to promote Indigenous sovereignty, including the ethical use of AI and data technologies, culturally aligned digital infrastructure, or access to economic opportunity. Drive positive outcomes for Indigenous communities’ learners of any age and context through culturally grounded educational opportunities.

The Seeding the Future Prize for Climate-Positive and Equitable Food Systems The Climate-Positive and Equitable Food Systems Prize, sponsored by Seeding the Future Van Lengerich Foundation , is open to solutions focused on equitably transforming food systems globally to respond to the climate crisis.

Seeding the Future Foundation is a nonprofit organization that seeds and supports innovative solutions to help improve food systems globally. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across two or more Solver teams from the 2025 Global Challenges.

The E Ink Innovation Prize The E Ink Innovation Prize is open to solutions that currently utilize or propose to utilize ePaper materials, technology, or displays to address problems of global importance in any of Solve’s areas of impact, including topics such as architecture, education, or intercultural understanding.

The prize is funded by E Ink, a corporation that advances healthy solutions and a sustainable future using ultra-low power, daylight readable displays. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams selected for any of the 2025 Global Challenges or Solve’s existing portfolio of alumni teams. E Ink may also opt to provide materials and technical support to its prize recipients.

The AI for Humanity Prize The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

Up to $150,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of the 2025 Global Challenges. The GM Prize is open to solutions that help create smart, safe, and sustainable communities around the world. The Prize is funded by General Motors, which is working toward becoming the most inclusive company in the world and is dedicated to making STEM education more accessible and equitable.

Up to $150,000 will be awarded across up to six Solver teams from the 2025 Global Learning Challenge, the 2025 Global Climate Challenge, and the 2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize seeks to accelerate the development of solutions that will prepare people for today’s opportunities and the workplace of the future, advance new ways of working, and drive economic impact within communities.

Funded by Citizens, the prize furthers the company’s commitment to helping communities meet today’s demands while positioning themselves well for the future. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams across all 2025 Global Challenges or Solve's portfolio of alumni teams.

Preference will be given to solutions that can be implemented to address workforce development challenges in Boston, MA and New York, NY that also have scaling potential to other geographies. The Community Innovation Prize The Community Innovation Prize is open to innovative solutions for communities by communities.

Up to $200,000, as well as custom workshops addressing innovator needs will be awarded to up to four Solver teams who are current or past Solvers across Solve's US Equity portfolio. Preference will be given to innovator teams based in or implementing/planning to implement in Chicago, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Houston, New York City, and/or Philadelphia in the areas of Health, Economic Prosperity, Climate, or Indigenous Communities.

What funding is available to Solvers? What resources does the Solve program provide?

Nine-month support program Tailored capacity-building workshops covering marketing, public relations, monitoring and evaluation, business model, and more; Access to in-kind and pro bono resources such as software licenses and legal services; Monitoring and evaluation support to build an impact measurement practice; A powerful network of impact-minded leaders across industries and sectors, including MIT, with dedicated spaces to meet year-round; Attendance at events throughout the year for opportunities to pitch and connect; Exposure in the media and speaking opportunities at conferences; Connections with past Solver teams for peer-to-peer support, inspiration, and guidance What is the time commitment?

Selected Solver teams should expect to commit ~25 hours to the program over the course of nine months, inclusive of coaching sessions, workshops, virtual events, etc. Additionally, attendance to MIT Solve flagship events is usually four days for Solve Challenge Finals in New York City (September) and four days for Solve at MIT in Cambridge (May). What happens after completion of the program? What type of solutions is Solve looking for?

Solve seeks innovative, human-centered, tech-based solutions to our Global Challenges. Through open innovation, Solve is looking for a diverse portfolio of solutions across geography and stage of development. We encourage people of all backgrounds to submit applications.

MIT Solve adheres to the principles of nondiscrimination with respect to its programmatic activities and does not make any decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. What stage should my solution be to be accepted? You can submit applications at the stages listed below.

Concept : An idea being explored and researched for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model, including prototypes under development. Until the solution has a functioning prototype, we would still consider it a Concept. Concept-stage ideas are only reviewed under the Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

Prototype : An initial working version of a solution that may be in the process of getting initial feedback or testing with users (i.e. running a pilot). If for-profit, a solution that has raised little or no investment capital. Until the solution transitions from testing to consistent availability, we would still consider it a Prototype.

(Often 0 users/direct beneficiaries) Pilot : The solution has been launched in at least one community, but is still iterating on design or business model. If for-profit, is generally working to gain traction and may have completed a fundraising round with investment capital.

Growth : An established solution available in one or more communities with a consistent design and approach, ready for further growth in multiple communities or countries. If for-profit, has generally completed at least one formal investment round (Seed stage or later). If nonprofit, has an established set of donors and/or revenue streams.

Scale : A standard solution operating in many communities or multiple countries and is prepared to scale significantly by improving efficiency. If for-profit, has likely raised at least a Series A investment round. How does Solve define technology?

We define technology broadly as the application of science and evidence-based knowledge to the practical aims of human life. We welcome solutions that are using apps, SMS technology, software, AI, robots, drones, blockchain, and virtual reality.! We also welcome solutions that leverage traditional, ancestral, and natural technologies and knowledge systems.

Tech-based innovations across our Solver portfolio include plant-based solutions that reduce the effects of climate change, machine-learning platforms that improve the delivery of justice and governance, biodegradable sanitary pads, and solutions that leverage centuries-old irrigation or building techniques, to name a few. Learn about all our Solver teams' diverse technologies.

Review our How to Apply to a Challenge webpage for tips and tutorials to get you started. Can I submit multiple solutions or apply to multiple Challenges? One team lead, solution, or organization can apply to multiple Global Challenges if there is alignment.

However, if you advance beyond the initial judging rounds in multiple Global Challenges, you will be asked to select one challenge in which to advance. A team lead cannot submit multiple solutions to the same Global Challenge. However, we encourage you to look at other open custom challenges on our site.

You can apply to as many of these as you fit the application criteria for! Note that the resources offered to winners of Custom Challenges vary from the Solver program associated with the Global Challenges. How will my solution be evaluated?

First, Solve's staff and community will conduct an initial screening. Secondly, expert reviewers will evaluate and score the solutions according to Solve’s judging criteria, and the 50 solutions with the highest scores will pass to the semifinalist round. Challenge Leadership Group judges (experts and leaders from across industries and sectors) will evaluate and score the solutions.

The 15 solutions with the highest scores will become finalists and will be notified in July and invited to a virtual live pitch and Q&A session, after which the judges will deliberate and select the Solver class.

MIT Solve adheres to the principles of nondiscrimination with respect to its programmatic activities and does not make any decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Solutions will be evaluated along the following criteria: Alignment: The solution uses technology to address one of Solve's Global Challenges. Potential for Impact: The planned solution implementation has the potential to impact the intended population. Feasibility: The team has a realistic, practical plan for implementing the solution, and it is feasible in the given context.

Innovative Approach: The solution includes a new technology, a new application of technology, a new business model, or a new process for solving the Challenge. Human-Centered Design: The solution is designed with and for underserved communities, and the solution team demonstrates that they have the experience, relationships, data, and knowledge to develop and deliver a successful solution.

Scalability*: The solution has a plan for financial viability and the potential to be scaled to affect the lives of more people. Partnership Potential*: The applicant clearly explains how the solution would benefit from the broad range of resources that the Solve community is positioned to provide.

Technical Feasibility*: If the underlying technology is novel, the applicant has provided convincing evidence that it has been built and functions as they claim it does. *This criterion will only be considered during finalist selection and beyond. How long will it take to complete the application?

Once you decide you would like to apply to Solve’s 2025 Global Challenges, begin your application as soon as you can. In post-application surveys, most applicants reported that they spent several hours completing the application. Be sure to budget enough time to submit your application before the deadline.

To help you prepare, download a PDF version of the application here. The PDF version is only for reference; you must submit your application online here . If you have any additional questions, please review our events calendar to find application clinic sessions, where you can learn more about MIT Solve, the Solver program, commonly asked questions, and Solve's selection criteria.

You can also email your questions to help@solve. mit. edu .

Please allow 3-5 business days for a response. Potential for Impact : The planned solution implementation has the potential to impact the intended population. Feasibility : The team has a realistic, practical plan for implementing the solution, and it is feasible in the given context.

Innovative Approach : The solution includes a new technology, a new application of technology, a new business model, or a new process for solving the Challenge. Human-Centered Design : The solution is designed with and for underserved communities, and the solution team demonstrates that they have the experience, relationships, data, and knowledge to develop and deliver a successful solution.

Scalability : The solution has a plan for financial viability and the potential to be scaled to affect the lives of more people. Partnership Potential : The applicant clearly explains how the solution would benefit from the broad range of resources that the Solve community is positioned to provide. *:nth-child(even)]:border-l-0 lg:[&>*:nth-child(even)]:border-l lg:[&>*:nth-child(3n-1)]:!

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