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Call for Applications: Medal of Excellence 2025 Challenge

Submission Deadline: 21st September 2025 | Time: 23:00 EAT


The Innovation Consortium, in partnership with GEMTEC, is excited to announce the official Medal of Excellence 2025 Challenge, a prestigious platform for recognizing and rewarding groundbreaking innovations and creative solutions from across the region. This year’s edition is made even more inclusive with the official participation of South Sudan, made possible through this collaborative effort.


About the Medal of Excellence

The Medal of Excellence is an annual celebration of ideas and innovation. It is open to all innovators, creators, and divergent thinkers — regardless of field, background, or country. Whether you're in Engineering, ICT, Health, Climate, Education, or other sectors, this challenge offers a unique opportunity to showcase your work and make a real impact.


Theme for 2025:

The Innovator in You (المبتكر الذي فيك)This theme invites all participants to believe in their own potential to innovate and lead positive change.


Categories of Innovation

Submissions are welcome from diverse fields, including but not limited to:

  • Engineering

  • Agriculture

  • Education

  • Health and Medicine

  • Economics and Finance

  • ICT and Digital Solutions

  • Governance and Public Service

  • Climate Action and Sustainability

  • Any other field with innovative potential


Prizes

  • 1st Place: USD 3,000 (UGX 11,000,000 / SSP 18,000,000)

  • 2nd Place: USD 1,500 (UGX 5,500,000 / SSP 9,000,000)

  • 3rd Place: USD 950 (UGX 3,500,000 / SSP 4,500,000)

  • Honorary Award: One outstanding idea (outside top 3) will receive a special honorary recognition.

  • Prototyping Support: The Innovation Consortium will fund prototyping for all ideas deemed worthy, regardless of final ranking.


Eligibility

Open to individuals and groups of any nationality, background, profession, educational level, age, or gender. The challenge welcomes everyone — students, professionals, informal sector workers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and community innovators.


Submission Guidelines

Formal Sector:

  • Submit via the online portal on the Medal of Excellence page

  • Submissions open: 2nd June 2025

  • Deadline: 21st September 2025 at 23:00 EAT

Informal Sector:

  • Record a short video (max 6 minutes) clearly explaining your idea.

  • Include your name and contact details.

  • Submit via WhatsApp to +211917627924 |+256 709 145 160 or upload on the portal under the INFORMAL tab.


Medal of Excellence 2025 Application Checklist (Formal Sector)

Before submitting your application, ensure you have prepared the following:

  1. Full Name (as appears on your government-issued ID)

  2. Active Phone Number (e.g., +211901234567)

  3. Valid Email Address

  4. Complete Physical Address (City, State/Province, Country)

  5. Nationality

  6. Title/Name of Your Idea or Innovation

  7. Selected Innovation Category (choose one):

    • Engineering, Agriculture, Health, Economics, Education, ICT, Governance, Climate, or Others

  8. Problem Statement – Briefly explain the core problem your innovation addresses.

  9. Detailed Description of the Innovation – Explain how it works, in not more than 500 words.

  10. Uniqueness of the Innovation – What makes your idea original or innovative? Does it use new technologies or methods?

  11. Expected Impact – How does your innovation benefit your target community or market?

  12. Current Status of the Innovation – Select one:

    • Idea Stage, Prototype, Pilot, Ongoing, or Implemented

  13. Project Association – Indicate if this idea is part of a larger project or a team effort (Yes/No)

  14. Estimated Cost of the Innovation – Provide a rough projection in any currency.

  15. Any Additional Information – Optional comments or context you’d like to include.

  16. Supporting Materials (Max 2 files) – Upload documents or media (PDF, DOC, DOCX, MP4, JPEG, JPG, PNG).

  17. Language of Submission – Submit in either English or Luganda only.

  18. Declaration Agreement – Confirm that all information provided is accurate and truthful.

  19. Submission Method – Submit your application through the online portal on https://innovug.com/medal/.

  20. Deadline – Ensure submission is made before 21st September 2025 at 23:00 EAT.


Evaluation & Medal Award Process

All submissions will go through a three-stage assessment:

  1. Technical Assessment (75%)

    • Relative Advantage: How is your idea better than existing options?

    • Compatibility: How well does it fit within current systems/society?

    • Complexity: Is it easy to use or understand?

    • Trialability: How easily can users test or adopt it?

    • Observability: Are the benefits clearly visible?

  2. Public Voting (20%)

    • The top 10 ideas selected after technical review will be published online for public voting.

    • Voting Period: 6th to 26th October 2025

  3. Final Presentation (5%)

    • Finalists will present their ideas at the official Medal Awarding Ceremony (date to be announced).

    • Winners will be declared based on total cumulative score.


Contact Information for South Sudan Participants

For all inquiries and assistance with submissions, South Sudan applicants may contact:


Why You Should Apply

  • Gain regional recognition for your work

  • Win funding and support for your idea

  • Receive technical and prototyping support

  • Be part of a vibrant innovation network

  • Showcase your innovation on a cross-border platform


Apply now and bring out the innovator in you.

Please RSVP for our online info session this Thursday, 4:00–5:00 PM (CAT), to learn how to apply and get your questions answered:

 
 
 

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