Davidson Inventors Challenge
Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations to address global challenges
The Davidson Inventors Challenge (DIC) is a collaborative school outreach initiative between the University of Cambridge Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) and the Association of Science Technology and Innovation (ASTI) in Malaysia. It is also heavily supported by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). The theme is sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations to address global challenges.
This competition is aimed at Year 11 and 12 students (UK schools only). Through a team project, students are required to use their STEM skills to research sustainable development goals, select a problem, and come up with a sustainable, innovative solution that would make a positive global impact. We encourage IChemE members to volunteer as mentors for the participating students.
Davidson Inventors Challenge winners 2026
Many congratulations to the 2026 winners of the Davidson Inventors Challenge presented by IChemE President, Professor Raffaella Ocone.
A team of Year 11 students from Pate's Grammar School in Cheltenham have taken the top prize at the first-ever in-person Davidson Inventors Challenge final for a project that aims to present a novel, energy-efficient water sterilisation solution.
Davidson Inventors Challenge winners 2025
Many congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Davidson Inventors Challenge.
A team of year 12 students from Sutton Grammar School, Surrey, won the challenge with their impressive water filtration system. You can read about the final at Surrey students’ clean water system wins Davidson Inventors Challenge 2025.
The student teams are required to first select sustainable development goals to work towards, find a challenge/problem in that area they would like to work on, and then come up with a potential sustainable and innovative solution.
Mentors
If you are a chemical or process engineer wanting to support students, you can register as a mentor directly with the competition organisers, go to Mentors for The Davidson Inventors Challenge.