Deadline: 19-Sep-2025
The Innovate for GMC Challenge offers a unique platform for Bhutanese youth to design, test, and implement solutions that address both national and global challenges.
Participants will work intensively in Gelephu Mindfulness City, learning from experts, developing new ideas, and testing them in a collaborative environment. This journey, from the initial call to the final pilot stage, ensures that promising ideas do not end at the concept stage but are nurtured toward practical implementation. It is an opportunity for young Bhutanese to actively shape the future of their communities while also contributing to global innovation landscapes.
Through mentorship and guidance, the program ensures that participants gain the necessary skills to approach complex issues with creativity and practicality. The workshops and innovation sprints provide hands-on opportunities to apply design thinking and policy innovation to real-world challenges, while also strengthening teamwork and leadership skills.
The challenge also emphasizes long-term opportunities. With recognition in the form of certificates and recommendation letters, participants stand to benefit beyond the program itself. For top-performing individuals, the pathways extend to fellowships, internships, and continued support in piloting their projects with seed funding.
Young Bhutanese will innovate in Gelephu Mindfulness City for three months, co-creating solutions to pressing national and global challenges. Applications open: 14-19 September 2025.
Eligibility: Bhutanese citizens aged 20–35, Verified with Citizenship Identity Card (CID), Students, graduates, and young professionals, Currently enrolled or completed studies, or working early-career, A minimum of a diploma qualification is required, Academic transcripts or certificate, Interest in innovation, design, policy, or entrepreneurship, Demonstrated through background, ideas, or motivation, Fully committed to reside in Gelephu for the three-months challenge duration, Agreement to full-time participation during the program period.
Program Journey: Step 1 Launch, Open call announcement & info sessions. Step 2 Selection, Screening and finalist teams announced. Step 3 Sprints, Workshops, mentorship, and prototyping. Step 4 Demo Day, Showcase solutions to stakeholders. Step 5 Pilot, Follow-through with funding & implementation.
Application Process: Step 1 Open Call, The Innovate for GMC Challenge is officially announced with detailed program guidelines and eligibility information. Step 2 Online Registration, Applicants complete their registration and submit profiles, motivations, and ideas through the official portal. Step 3 Screening & Evaluation, Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated by the committee and through innovative assessments. Step 4 Final Selection, the final cohort is selected and notified, with participants matched into innovation units based on their skills, interests, and proposed ideas.
For more information, visit Innovate for GMC.