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Provost Office

Invent for the Planet (IFTP) is a globally recognized, 48-hour intensive design experience hackathon that brings together students from universities worldwide to solve pressing, high-impact global challenges.

Led by the Meloy Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program at Texas A&M University, IFTP promotes innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship among diverse student teams through structured problem-solving and global collaboration platforms.

Since its inception in 2018, IFTP has engaged over 50 universities across 30 countries. Hosted by the Student Enrichment Program at Texas A&M University at Qatar for six consecutive years. Last year, Hamad Bin Khalifa University hosted it for the first time following the program’s transition to HBKU.

The local phase of IFTP is organized independently by each participating university. Until recently, the global stage was hosted exclusively at Texas A&M University (TAMU). However, beginning 2024, the organizers implemented a new rotational model, designating a different host country every other year, with France selected as the inaugural international host.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University is proudly hosting the 2026 Global Finals, being the first institution in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and only the second institution globally, to host the IFTP Finals.

This local competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students from all EC campuses.

Applications are accepted until January 29, 2026.

  • Teams are formed based on similar interests of a need statement (You may form the team before you register).
  • Diverse groups of students will be engaged in an intensive design experience with four phases that will lead them through innovation, design, and problem-solving.
  • Participants will be challenged to develop a unique solution to impactful problems.
  • Work stations and event activities are taking place in the HBKU Manufactury Building.
  • Teams will have access to labs and materials.
  • Each team member will use his/her technical, business, and soft skills.
  • Each team will put together a video to promote its idea.
  • On the final day, teams will have 10 minutes (+ 5 min of Q&A) to present their idea and prototype to a panel of judges. Three teams will be selected for first, second, and third place prizes.

Local Phase Prizes:

  • First place: QR 10,000
  • Second place: QR 7,500
  • Third place: QR 5,000

The winning team will submit a new video of their presentation that will be judged remotely and narrowed down to a final five.

The top five teams globally are invited to Hamad Bin Khalifa University at Doha, Qatar, in April 2026, to pitch the whole idea against each other, in conjunction with a meet-and-greet conference, for a chance to be named the first-place winner overall!

All participants are invited to an award ceremony after the final presentations on February 15.

Put your skills to the test — Come and join the race to innovation as time travels across the world!