HUGEM Innovation Challenge

• Founded by the Harvard Undergraduate Global Education Movement (HUGEM)
• Hosted across North America, Asia, Europe
• Top 70% of each division receive awards
• Top performers in the English track advance straight to the Harvard Round
• Strengthen university applications with Harvard-led mentorship, innovation training and global exposure

Introduction

Founded at Harvard University, the Harvard Undergraduate Global Education Movement (HUGEM) has their work spaned over a dozen countries across three continents, uniting numerous strong educational partners in a shared commitment to empowering the next generation. In previous years, HUGEM has hosted summer camps and organized innovation-themed conferences in various Asian countries, while also conducting after-school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshops across European regions.

The HUGEM Innovation Challenge (HIC) is an international competition co-organized by HUGEM and ASEEDER. This competition invites middle school students who are passionate about innovation to participate. The challenge provides an opportunity for students to learn and apply design thinking as a tool for solving real-world problems, fostering creativity, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset.

The HIC competition consists of two major rounds:

• Qualifier Round: Focuses on problem discovery and idea expansion. Participants identify real-world problems, propose innovative solutions, and submit their work online. The top 70% of participants will advance to the Harvard Round.
• Harvard Round: A camp in Harvard University in 2026, where students explore innovation with Harvard mentors. This year’s Harvard Round, themed “Resilient Futures: Innovating for a Sustainable World,” challenges participants to integrate perspectives from economics, technology, and global health to invent models that redefine value for people and the planet. Through workshops and discussions led by Harvard undergraduates, students will refine their insights. 

About contest

The HIC competition is open to Grades 4-9 students who have a passion for innovation and problem-solving.

Qualifier Round

• Format: Individual Online Submission
• Suitable for: Grades 4–9
• Tracks: Global Health / Poverty & Inequality / Low-carbon Life / AI & Innovation
• Languages: English & Chinese (only English track can advance to Harvard)
• Deadline: December 7, 2025
• Awards Announcement: Late December 2025

Harvard Round

• Format: In-person Team Challenge at Harvard University
• Date: February 26 – March 2, 2026
• Led by Harvard students & mentors, featuring workshops, seminars, innovation challenge, campus immersion experience

AWARD

At HIC, we recognize and celebrate innovation, creativity, and outstanding performance through a structured awards system at different stages of the competition.

Qualifier Round

• Participation Awards: All students who submit innovative proposals and required videos will receive an official participation certificate.
• Individual Awards: Outstanding innovators will be honored with special awards.
• HIC Advancement: The top 70% of participants will advance to the Harvard Round.

Harvard Round

• Participation Awards: All students will receive official participation certificates.
• Individual & Team Awards: Outstanding innovators will be honored with special awards.

Registration Details

● Registration & Submission Deadline: December 7, 2025

●Awards Announcement: Late December 2025

The school sends the list of participating candidates to email enquiry@sooncheng.com – Subject: HIC [2025].

Upon receiving confirmation from the organizing committee, the school sends a copy of the payment receipt for the exam fee to the bank as instructed.

For independent candidates, please contact SOON CHENG for registration guidance.

📍 Any questions please contact SOON CHENG at:

Wechat: SeederStar_SC

WhatsApp: +65 9695 5152 (SG) / +84 362 996 088 (VN)

Zalo: +65 9695 5152

Website: https://sooncheng.com/

Email: enquiry@sooncheng.com