The Global Innovators’ Challenge – Proposal Competition 16+

Are you aged between 16 – 25 in education, an apprenticeship or a recent graduate? Can you help the global aviation industry accelerate its efforts to reach Net Zero 2050?

We are looking for novel, original and implementable proposals that can help solve a challenge the industry is facing relating to one of four topics related to aviation sustainability.

You can work in groups of up to four people to produce a 1000-word proposal outlining the steps you would take to solve a challenge related to the implementation of your idea.

Why should I enter?

The opportunity to have your work reviewed by a panel of experts.
A chance to learn more about future sustainable technologies and the challenges associated with mass roll out within the global aviation industry.
Receive expert-led support in developing your pitch ready to be presented.
Develop your teamwork, research and presenting skills to boost your CV.
Build your network and reputation within a fast-growing field.

Prizes

12 months’ free Air League Individual Membership for all finalists.
Present your proposal to a panel of experts at the Sustainable Skies World Summit, Farnborough Airport, 17 March 2026.
Boost your profile and network with potential employers and industry leaders.
Winning team/person presents their idea to the full conference on 18 March.
Exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the engineering department at one of our partner organisations.
Invitation to the Air League’s Annual Reception at Parliament.
An exciting flight experience day

tHE categories

Choose a category as your main inspiration, but feel free to include ideas from other categories too.

1. Sustainable Aviation fuel (SAF)

Entries in this category could cover a number of issues relating to the widespread implementation of SAFs.

We want to know how production of current SAFs can be accelerated on a much larger scale, we need to understand more about the development of these fuels and their production in the UK and globally.

We want to know how SAF adoption could become more attractive to airlines.

Areas to consider further; production, handling, storage, future SAF concepts

2. Carbon Capture and storage (CCS)

Entries in this category should aim to explain how CCS technology can support emissions reduction across the aviation industry.

We want to understand how CCS can work alongside current aviation operations and how it can be used to reduce emissions. We want to know if CCS can be deployed on its own or alongside other technologies.

Understanding how scalable this technology is both in the UK and globally is key to understanding whether it is useful in achieving net zero emissions. There is a significant challenge of volume, current technology is small scale.

3. Engine Technology

Entries in this category will aim to answer and explore new engine technologies that support electric, hybrid or alternative fuels like hydrogen.

These new technologies come with many benefits and challenges in terms of mass rollout and safety. We want to know how scalable it can be in commercial or military applications.

We want to know more about how engine technology can be adapted or newly designed to use these low/no carbon fuels, how the fuels can be produced and stored safely, infrastructure considerations for refueling/defueling, and any other supporting infrastructure needed to make this new technology viable and safe for mass production and implementation.

4. Biomimicry

In this category, you’ll use nature as your inspiration to design a new aircraft technology. This could be:

A special aircraft skin to improve aerodynamics
Wing designs to boost lift
Innovative ways to reduce weight

Engineers have always looked to nature to solve design challenges. Your proposal should explain your concept in detail, showing how it could work in theory and make flight more sustainable.

Think creatively, but also show that your idea could realistically help the future of aviation.