SRT Innovation Contest - YEAR 6
AI-Driven Green and Inclusive Technologies for Climate-Resilient Filipino
Communities
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) continues its mission to cultivate a culture and create an environment where institutions can leverage patent information to drive Filipino innovation, develop sustainable solutions, and promote economic growth.
In line with IPOPHL’s advocacy to harness patent information for the development and utilization of Socially Relevant Technologies (SRTs), this year’s contest focuses on solutions for sustainable urban development in response to global and local environmental challenges.
The theme for 2026 is: “AI-Driven Green and Inclusive Technologies for Climate-Resilient Filipino Communities.”
This year’s contest invites innovations that demonstrate how technology can contribute to SDG 13 (Climate Action), while leveraging innovation under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and promoting inclusive, resilient communities aligned with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Municipalities) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Submissions may include technologies related to:
- AI for Climate Risk Prediction and Disaster Resilience – Use artificial intelligence to predict hazards and enable faster, data-driven disaster preparedness and response.
- Smart and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure – Develop intelligent infrastructure systems that improve urban efficiency, safety, and resilience to climate impacts.
- Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Solutions – Create clean and efficient energy technologies that reduce carbon emissions and expand access to sustainable power.
- Waste Management and Circular Economy Technologies – Design innovative systems that minimize waste, promote recycling, and convert materials into valuable resources.
- Water Resource Management and Flood Mitigation – Apply smart technologies to ensure efficient water use, improve water quality, and reduce flood risks.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture (Urban & Peri-Urban) – Introduce technologies that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience under changing climate conditions.
- Inclusive and Assistive Technologies – Develop accessible solutions that empower marginalized groups and ensure no one is left behind in climate adaptation.
- Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support Systems – Leverage data and AI to monitor environmental conditions and support informed policy and planning decisions.
- Low-Carbon Mobility and Transport Solutions – Innovate sustainable transport systems that reduce emissions and improve mobility in urban communities.
- Digital Platforms for Climate Governance – Build digital tools that strengthen climate planning, community engagement, and evidence-based governance.
These technologies should not only promote environmental preservation and climate resilience but also support inclusive, safe, and economically vibrant communities. Through this competition, IPOPHL aims to encourage the strategic utilization of patent information and foster the development and commercialization of AI-driven green solutions that are scalable, replicable, and socially impactful.
There will be two (2) categories:
- Youth Category
- Professional Category
- Nationality: Open to Filipino citizens. For groups, at least one member must be a Filipino.
- Age Requirement:
1. Youth Category: 30 years old or below
2. Professional Category: 31 years old or above
To qualify, entries must be consistent with the contest theme and present a novel technology that meets the following:
- Environmental and Social Impact: Must contribute to sustainable urban development and community well-being.
- Innovation: Demonstrates novelty and inventiveness.
- Commercial Potential: Shows promise for real-world application and market success.
- Relevance: Addresses urban sustainability issues or economic growth.
- Intellectual Property: Filed or granted IP protection (patents or utility models) is an advantage.
- Youth Category
- 1st Prize: Php 50,000.00 + Trophy
- 2nd Prize: Php 30,000.00
- 3rd Prize: Php 20,000.00
- Professional Category
- 1st Prize: Php 75,000.00 + Trophy
- 2nd Prize: Php 50,000.00
- 3rd Prize: Php 30,000.00
Winner/s that are eligible may benefit from IPOPHL’s assistance program whichever is applicable, including:
- Youth IP Incentive (YIPI) Program – winner/s who are 30 years old and below who wishes to apply for IP protection;
- JUANA Patent and JUANA Trademark – for women led MSMEs who wished to protect their IPs in the country;
- PCT Filing Assistance Program – for winners who wished to protect their patents abroad;
- JUAN for the World – for winners who wished to protect their trademarks abroad;
- Green Technology Incentive Program – for qualified technologies that are patentable; and
- Inventor Assistance Program – matching the inventor with probono patent agent for winning technologies that are patentable.
Entry Submission
- Participants must submit both a 10-minute video (see CRM Section III No 3) and required documents (see CRM Section III No 2) via Microsoft Form
- Deadline: 11:59 PM on June 30, 2026
Document Requirements (PDF format)
- Granted Patent or UM Registration Certificate, or Registrability Report for UMs or Filed Patent or UM Application Form with IPOPHL receiving details (if pending), if any
- If the IP application is still pending (patent, utility model, or industrial design), the applicant must accomplish Article 3. IP Confidentiality Waiver and Consent in the online application form, in compliance with Section 45 of the IP Code.
- Information materials related to the submitted technology
Video Content
The video should cover the following aspects of the technology:
- Brief description of the technology – A concise overview of the technology, its purpose, and how it works.
- Creative breakthroughs and uniqueness – Describes the innovative aspects, novel features, or unique qualities that distinguish the technology from existing solutions.
- Commercial potential – The extent to which the technology can be marketed, scaled, or adopted for widespread use in relevant industries or consumer markets.
- Social and environmental benefits – Explains how the technology contributes positively to society, communities, or the environment.
- Development timeline and future goals – Outlines the key milestones in the technology’s development and the plans for its future growth or advancement.
- Other relevant insights or highlights – Includes any additional noteworthy information such as awards, user feedback, or special features that add value or credibility to the technology.
Evaluation Process
- All entries will undergo pre-screening by IPOPHL.
- Only the top 5 entries in each category will be posted on IPOPHL’s official Facebook page (IPOPHL, DITTB or IPBSDD).
Final Judging
- The final round of judging will be held during the Technology Expo and Symposium on August 20, 2025, at the IPOPHL Multipurpose Hall in Taguig City.
- The panel of judges may include representatives from IPOPHL, relevant government agencies, and academic institutions.
Judging Criteria
Criteria | Points |
Relevance to Theme | 20 |
Novelty and Innovativeness | 25 |
Readiness for Commercialization | 30 |
Environmental and Social Impact | 15 |
Clarity of Presentation | 10 |
Total | 100 |
Rules
- Submission of Entries. Individuals or groups are permitted to submit more than one entry for the contest.
- IP Ownership. IPOPHL will not claim ownership of any intellectual property submitted for the contest. Participants will retain full rights over their work and may continue to seek IP protection or pursue commercialization independently after the contest. All judges and staff involved will sign non-disclosure agreements to ensure confidentiality.
- Confidentiality Waiver / Consent to Publish. For entries involving pending patent, utility model, or industrial design applications, participants (or the rightful owners of the entries) shall provide a specific waiver of confidentiality or written consent authorizing IPOPHL to post, publish, or exhibit the submitted entries upon selection as finalists or winners, in accordance with Section 45 of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (R.A. 8293, as amended). Such consent may be accomplished through the official application form, provided that it contains an express and informed authorization by the applicant or owner. IPOPHL reserves the right to require additional documentation, if necessary, to establish valid consent.
- Use of Submitted Content for Promotion. IPOPHL reserves the right to utilize the submitted video entries, including their titles, descriptions, and selected images, for promotional and awareness purposes, including on digital and print platforms.
- Authorization to Use and Create Derivative Works. By joining the contest, participants grant IPOPHL the authorization to use and create derivative works from their recordings, photographs, and other submitted documentation in any media.
- No Compensation for Use of Materials. Participants acknowledge and agree that IPOPHL is under no obligation to provide compensation for the use of materials.
- Protection of Participants’ Reputation. IPOPHL agrees not to use any submitted material in a defamatory, obscene, or harmful manner.
- Agreement to Contest Rules. Participation in the contest implies full agreement with all rules and guidelines.
- Eligibility Restrictions. Employees of IPOPHL and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
- IP Rights and Registrations. Winning the contest does not automatically grant IP rights. Participants must undergo the standard registration process.
- Disqualification Clauses. IPOPHL reserves the right to disqualify any entry at any stage of the contest if found to be in violation of these clauses, subject to appropriate verification. Participants may be disqualified from the contest for any of the following reasons:
- Non-Original or Infringing Work – Submission of entries that plagiarize or infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.
- Incomplete or Late Submission – Entries that are incomplete, submitted after the official deadline, or do not comply with the submission requirements.
- Misrepresentation – Providing false or misleading information about the innovation, its development, ownership, or impact. This also includes unethical practices such as the use of bots, fake accounts, paid engagements, or other deceptive means to manipulate social media likes, survey results, or any form of public or judges’ engagement used in the contest.
- Violation of Contest Rules – Failure to comply with any of the official rules, guidelines, or terms and conditions of the contest.
- Inappropriate Content – Inclusion of content in the entry that is defamatory, offensive, obscene, or harmful to the reputation of any individual or organization.
- Conflict of Interest – Participation by individuals who are IPOPHL employees or immediate family members of employees, as stated in the eligibility rules.
- Withdrawal from the Contest – Voluntary withdrawal or inability to participate in required contest activities, such as the final judging or awards ceremony.
- Data Privacy and Protection.IPOPHL shall process all personal information collected from participants in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Personal data submitted as part of the contest requirements shall be used solely for purposes related to the administration, evaluation, promotion, and documentation of the SRT Innovation Contest 2026. IPOPHL shall implement appropriate organizational, physical, and technical measures to protect participants’ personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, misuse, or destruction. By participating in the contest, participants acknowledge and consent to the processing of their personal information for the foregoing purposes.
Presentation Guidelines
- Pre-Judging
Videos of qualified entries will be evaluated by the panel of judges from August 1-7, 2026.
Judges will convene and deliberate on August 7, 2026 to select the top 5 entries in each category.
- Key Points to Cover in the Presentation
The presentation must highlight the following essential elements:
- Overview of the innovation. A clear and concise introduction to the technology, including what it is, how it works, and the problem it aims to solve.
- Technological advantages and unique features. Key aspects that make the innovation technically superior or different from existing solutions.
- Market potential and business model. A snapshot of the target market, potential customers, and how the innovation can generate revenue or sustain operations.
- Social and environmental impact. The broader benefits of the innovation, particularly how it contributes to societal well-being or environmental sustainability.
- Roadmap to commercialization and partnerships. The planned steps toward bringing the innovation to market, including timelines, strategies, and potential collaborations.
- Patent Search and Novelty Search
For patent-related entries, the preliminary novelty search to assess the uniqueness of the innovation will be conducted by the IP Business Services and Development Division (IPBSDD) of the Documentation, Information, and Technology Transfer Bureau (DITTB). This will form part of the pre-screening and evaluation process prior to judging.
Timetable
The contest timeline runs from May to August 2026.
Activity | Date |
Entry Submission | May 22 – June 30, 2026 |
Pre-screening & Evaluation | July 1-31, 2026 |
Pre-Judging (Judges deliberation) | August 1-7, 2026 |
Announcement of 5 Finalists | August 10, 2026 |
Final Judging & Awards Ceremony | August 20, 2026 |