Gulf Futures Challenge Timeline

Application Period

Gulf Futures Challenge Launch – June 18, 2024

The Gulf Futures Challenge launches on June 18, 2024. Between June 18 and August 20, 2024, you are invited to assess your organization’s readiness for the Challenge and register.

Registration Deadline – August 20, 2024

Before submitting an application, your organization must register by Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time. Only registrants can submit an application.

Application Deadline – September 20, 2024

Once registration has closed, registrants will have four weeks to submit their applications. All applications are due by Friday, September 20 at 4:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time.

Review Period

Administrative Review – September 23 - October 25, 2024

Over a period of several weeks, staff will review each application to ensure that it complies with the requirements and rules of the Gulf Futures Challenge. If at any point in the process, it is determined that an applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria of the Challenge as laid out in the Gulf Futures Challenge Rules, the applicant will be notified and will not be eligible to progress to further stages of the Challenge.

Participatory Review – October 28 - November 18, 2024

During Participatory Review, each applicant team that has submitted a valid application will score and comment on three, and if necessary, up to five, other applicants using the four criteria included in the scoring rubric: impactful, innovative, inclusive, bridging knowledge to action. Top applications, as determined by Participatory Review, will move forward to the Evaluation Panel.

Evaluation Panel Review – December 2024 - January 2025

After Participatory Review is complete, top-rated proposals will advance to the externally recruited Evaluation Panel. During this period, members of the Evaluation Panel will review and score their assigned submissions using the scoring rubric.

Selection Period

Selection of Finalists – Spring 2025

Informed by the results of the Participatory and Evaluation Panel Review, along with a technical analysis, the Challenge sponsor will review submitted application materials to select 10 finalists. Should your project be under consideration as a finalist, you may be expected to submit additional information.

Technical Support – Summer 2025 (~4 months)

Selected finalists will be asked to submit a comprehensive proposal in early fall 2025. Each of the 10 finalists will receive technical and financial support to strengthen their proposal.  

Selection of Awardees – Fall 2025

Informed by the revised materials submitted after the period of technical support, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will review materials and select up to two awardees. Each awardee will receive an award of $20 million each to implement their solutions. Awardees will be chosen and announced by early 2026. A more detailed timeline will be provided at finalist selection.