ACCESS : ACcelerating Climate, Energy & Sustainability Solutions
"Be creative, Be innovative, Get Bold!"
Our beautiful, livable planet is teetering towards a precarious state, reminding us that time is precious and fleeting. Change can begin with just an idea — our vision is to channel and incentivize the scientific and entrepreneurial talent of IIT Bombay to make a purposeful and positive difference towards a thriving, sustainable world.
Do YOU have a trailblazing idea in areas like Climate Adaptation for Agriculture or Health, Water and Food Sustainability, Carbon Capture & Sequestration, Heating/Cooling Efficiency, AI for Climate, Renewable Energy, Climate Finance & Policy?
ACCESS is our call to action! A unique opportunity for students, faculty and staff at IIT Bombay to embrace and address the clear and present climate equity challenges facing our people and our planet. We hope ACCESS inspires every individual to address these vital issues of our time.
With this one-of-a-kind student competition, you will have an opportunity to:
- Make an impact in India and globally
- Win attractive cash awards to progress your proposals
- Receive mentorship from faculty
- Launch your entrepreneurship journey
Join the ACCESS challenge now! Let your imagination soar, your self-determination drive — submit your proposal for a chance to win. We can't wait to see your submissions!
Together, let's enable a greener, more equitable planet Earth.
Vinaya Kapoor and Samir Kapoor are committed to furthering the scientific and entrepreneurial talent at IIT Bombay to address climate, energy and sustainability challenges. With the ACCESS Competition and Awards, they continue their efforts towards addressing these urgent priorities in practical and actionable ways. They are passionate about advancing interest and careers in science, technology, environment and the arts, particularly among women and youth and volunteer their time towards this. Vinaya and Samir are also Sponsors of the Chair Professorship in Climate Studies at IIT Bombay.
Cash Awards to Progress your Proposal
Theme 1
Climate Impacts & Adaptation
| 1st Prize | Rs 4 lakhs |
| 2nd Prize | Rs 2 lakhs |
| 3rd Prize | Rs 1 lakh |
Theme 2
Climate Mitigation & Finance
| 1st Prize | Rs 4 lakhs |
| 2nd Prize | Rs 2 lakhs |
| 3rd Prize | Rs 1 lakh |
* In addition, selected winning teams, as per the feasibility/maturity of the idea, may be supported for their activities in relevant entities in IIT Bombay or encouraged to promote a startup or incubation as per IIT Bombay policies. Winning teams may be considered for the IDEAS Pre-incubation Program.
Theme 1
Climate and Sustainability: Impacts & Adaptation
- Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere and their interactions
- Weather and Climate Services for sectors such as agriculture, health, energy etc.
- Early warning of Disasters and Risk
- Water & Food Sustainability
- AI/ML for Climate/Sustainability
Theme 2
Climate and Sustainability: Mitigation & Finance
- Carbon Capture and Sequestration
- Electricity & heating/cooling efficiency
- Instrumentation
- Climate Finance
- Renewable Energy
- Sustainable Policy
- AI/ML for Climate/Sustainability
Team Eligibility Criteria:
- Teams must include 2 to 5 members.
- Each team must include at least one IIT Bombay current student (2nd or 3rd year UG students/ 1st year M. Tech students/ 2nd or 3rd year Ph.D students).
- Teams may include non-IIT Bombay student participants
Call for proposals
Proposal Submission Last Date
Award Committee review
Award announcement
ACCESS AWARDS 2024 →