The Palestine TechnoPark, in partnership with Taawon and LogesTechs, has announced the TechnoPark AI Research Award 2026. This flagship competition, held during AI Week 2026, invites Palestinian researchers and students to submit innovative AI research that provides practical solutions to real-world challenges in critical sectors.
At a Glance
- Opportunity Type: Research Competition / Call for Papers
- For: Palestinian researchers, faculty, and postgraduate students (worldwide and diaspora)
- Key Benefits: Cash prizes, incubation opportunities, and publication in AI Week 2026 Proceedings
- Application Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Location: Birzeit, Palestine (Awards ceremony at Palestine TechnoPark)
Competition Overview
The TechnoPark AI Research Award is a high-level academic and innovation challenge designed to shape the future of Artificial Intelligence in Palestine. Participants are invited to submit original, unpublished research that addresses challenges in tracks such as Healthcare, Smart Agriculture, Education, Fintech, and NLP. All submissions undergo a rigorous blind review process by a distinguished panel of experts, with winners gaining the chance to present their work to global investors and industry leaders.
Key Benefits
- Cash Prizes:
- 1st Place: $1,000 + Certificate
- 2nd Place: $650 + Certificate
- 3rd Place: $350 + Certificate
- Incubation: Fast-track consideration for TechnoPark incubation and acceleration programs for research with commercial potential.
- Professional Recognition: Winning papers will be published in the official AI Week 2026 Competition Proceedings.
- Networking: Opportunity to present research to a high-level audience of global experts, industry leaders, and policymakers.
- Mentorship: “Best Paper Award” recipients receive dedicated mentorship opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality/Affiliation: Open to Palestinian researchers worldwide (including the diaspora). The first author must be of Palestinian nationality and/or hold an active affiliation with a Palestinian institution.
- Academic Level: Faculty members, independent researchers, and postgraduate (Master’s/PhD) students. Undergraduate students may apply if supervised by a faculty advisor listed as a co-author.
- Team Size: Individual or group submissions are allowed (maximum of 5 members per team).
- Research Status: Submissions must be original, unpublished work written in English.
Submission Guidelines
- Format: IEEE Two-Column Format (6–8 pages).
- Language: English only.
- Anonymization: To ensure a fair blind review, all identifying information (names, affiliations) must be removed from the “Anonymous Version” of the PDF.
- Dual Upload: Participants must upload two versions: a full version with author details and an anonymous version for judging.
Key Dates and Schedule
- March 05, 2026: Competition announced
- April 10, 2026: Submission deadline
- April 20, 2026: Judging period concludes
- April 27, 2026: Winners announced and Awards Ceremony (during AI Week)
How to Apply
To participate, prepare your research paper according to the IEEE template and submit it through the official online portal. Ensure your document is fully anonymized to pass the initial review stage.
- Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Apply Here: Official Submission Form
About Palestine TechnoPark
The Palestine India Techno Park (PITP) is a non-profit innovation hub established to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Palestine. It provides physical infrastructure, innovation labs, and R&D initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between academia and the business sector while promoting scientific advancement and technology commercialization.
Learn More: Palestine TechnoPark
