Launch of the 2021 Nokia Bell Labs Prize for Global Tech Innovators

The Nokia Bell Labs Prize is a competition for innovators from around the globe. It seeks to recognise innovations that solve the key challenges facing humanity and provides selected innovators the opportunity to collaborate with Nokia Bell Labs researchers to help realise their vision.

Through the competition, Nokia is looking for game-changing and impactful ideas that have the potential to change the way people live, work and communicate with each other. Participants will gain visibility to a high-profile audience of researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, media and partners. They will also receive support from Nokia and Bell Labs.

The competition has a total prize pot of US $175,000 (around £125,000) which will be awarded as follows:

  • First prize: US $100,000 (around £72,000)
  • Second prize: US $50,000 (around £36,000)
  • Third prize: US $25,000 (around £18,000)

Selected participants may have an opportunity to work with Bell Labs, giving them the chance to collaborate with researchers to further develop the idea and enhance its commercial viability.

The competition welcoming applications from information and communication technology innovators from selected countries around the globe. Entrants must possess a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree from an accredited university or institution of higher learning.

The deadline for applications is 14 May 2021.