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OpenAir Carbon Removal Challenge

An annual global student competition to design new approaches for removing greenhouse gases, with finalists pitching in New York City.

Overview

The OpenAir Carbon Removal Challenge is an annual global competition run by the OpenAir Collective, inviting university and college students to design and create new approaches for removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The best teams are selected as finalists and invited to present their solutions at Carbon Unbound in New York City.

Registration for the 2027 challenge is open until February 16, 2027, with launch webinars for teams. The 2026 winning teams were Gigatonne Bio, a solvent-free structured sorbent project for direct air capture (MMML), Michigan Carbon Capture's Project SAPPHIRE and C3W (carbon capture with concrete waste).

Sponsors and partners have included 1PointFive, the Carbon Business Council, Terraset, Frontier, XPRIZE Carbon Removal, AirMiners, the Direct Air Capture Coalition, the C2V Initiative and American University's Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy.

Who it is for

University and college students from anywhere in the world, competing in teams. Solutions must remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Check if you are eligible

Check your eligibility for OpenAir Carbon Removal Challenge

Admissions and application

Register your team through the official registration form by February 16, 2027. The best approaches are selected as finalists and invited to present at Carbon Unbound. Questions go to carbonremovalchallenge@openaircollective.cc.

Benefits

  • A chance to present as a finalist at Carbon Unbound in New York City (OpenAir raises donations to help finalists travel).
  • Webinars and guidance from the carbon removal community.
  • Visibility with sponsors and partners such as 1PointFive, Frontier and XPRIZE Carbon Removal.

Timeline

  • 2027 registration open now, due February 16, 2027.
  • A launch webinar series runs in autumn 2026.
  • Finalists pitch at Carbon Unbound in New York City; the 2027 date is not yet published.

What came of it

2026 winners: Gigatonne Bio; MMML (solvent-free manufacturing of electrified structured sorbents for DAC); Michigan Carbon Capture, Project SAPPHIRE; C3W (Carbon Capture with Concrete Waste).

How to go about it

  1. Read what it asks for

    Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.

  2. Have something to show

    Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.

  3. Apply the way the program asks

    Applications are open. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.

What it pays

The page does not publish prize amounts or fees. OpenAir fundraises to help finalists travel to New York City.

Questions about this program

What is the OpenAir Carbon Removal Challenge?

An annual global competition by the OpenAir Collective for university and college students to design new ways to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

When is the 2027 deadline?

Team registration is open until February 16, 2027.

Who can enter?

Teams of university and college students from anywhere in the world.

What do finalists get?

Finalists are invited to present their solutions at Carbon Unbound in New York City; OpenAir raises donations to help finalists travel.

Is there a prize?

The official page does not state prize amounts.

Who won in 2026?

Gigatonne Bio, MMML's structured sorbent DAC project, Michigan Carbon Capture (Project SAPPHIRE) and C3W.

Who sponsors it?

Past sponsors include 1PointFive, the Carbon Business Council and Terraset, with partners such as Frontier, XPRIZE Carbon Removal and AirMiners.

How do I learn more?

Join the launch webinar linked on the challenge page or email carbonremovalchallenge@openaircollective.cc.

About OpenAir Collective

OpenAir Collective

Community

Volunteer-led global network accelerating carbon removal.

Lists that include this program

From public sources

What the sources say about OpenAir Carbon Removal Challenge

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