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Universities for Goal 13: A Student Competition for Climate Solutions

Sponsored by Siemens Energy, in collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), "Universities for Goal 13" is an annual competition to recognize students’ talent and their critical role in the quest for new technologies and innovative solutions to combat climate change and its impacts. We aim to foster practical solutions for achieving SDG 13 on Climate Action, through multi-disciplinary perspectives and collaboratively.

The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students from universities selected from SDSN’s member institutions worldwide. Throughout the competition, students receive dedicated mentorship from Siemens Energy staff and Siemens Gamesa to enhance their projects. The winner is awarded a USD $10,000 cash prize and opportunities for further development and networking. In addition, the finalist project is presented alongside SDSN's annual high-level events during the UN General Assembly in New York, USA, in September.

Current Edition

Launched in October 2025, the competition's 5th edition empowers students to develop multidisciplinary, practical solutions to address the energy transition. Selected SDSN member institutions include: Monash University in Australia; Tsinghua University in China; Case Western Reserve University in the U.S.; the Bucharest University of Economic Studies in Romania; DEUSTO University in Spain; University of Hamburg in Germany; University College London; the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) in Brazil; and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.

1) Competition Brief 5th Edition

2) Rules & Guidelines

Finalists

The competition finalists represent a diverse group of university students who have developed innovative, multidisciplinary solutions to address climate change, showcasing creativity, technical expertise, and a deep commitment to advancing sustainable development through real-world impact.

The finalists are selected after progressing through several competitive rounds where their solutions are rigorously evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, and potential impact on climate action and sustainable development.

Watch the finalists' solutions:

  • 4th Edition – Winner: 'Turning Algae into the Future of Clean Industry'
  • 3rd Edition – Winner: ‘OG2OW: Recommissioning Oil & Gas Platforms to Offshore Wind Energy’
  • 2nd Edition – Winner: ‘E-Gora: The Energy Marketplace

Previous Editions

Winner: "Turning Algae into the Future of Clean Industry" - By students from Monash University in Australia

Honorable mention: "CN Biotechnology" - By students from Tsinghua University in China

For the fourth edition, students were challenged to propose solutions that addressed the environmental, social, and economic aspects of the energy transition. Selected SDSN member institutions were: Tsinghua University in China, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Case Western Reserve University in the U.S., Monash University in Australia, and the University of Southampton in the UK. Read about the finalists' projects. The winner of the competition was announced on September 19, 2025.

Watch the solutions!

Featured News

Global Student Innovation in Focus: Semi-Finals of the Universities for Goal 13 Competition

Global Student Innovation: First-Round Proposals Submitted for the 5th Universities for Goal 13 Competition & Award

SDSN & Siemens Energy Launch 5th Edition of the "Universities for Goal 13" Competition and Award

SDSN and Siemens Energy Announce 2025 Universities for Goal 13 Winner, Turning Algae into the Future of Clean Industry

Innovating for Impact: Eight Finalist Student Teams Identified for the Universities for Goal 13 Competition

Siemens Energy and SDSN Launch the 4th Edition of the “Universities for Goal 13” Competition and Award

Featured Resources

Team

Marta García Haro

  • Senior Manager, National & Regional Networks
  • Networks Program

Raquel Armendariz Sucunza

  • SDSN Youth Global Manager
  • Networks Program and SDSN Youth

Related Courses

Climate Change: The Science and Global Impact

Climate Action: Solutions for a Changing Planet

Climate Change Science & Negotiations