NIC 2026 Awards Night: winners announced

External view of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in London


The winners of the National Innovation Challenge (NIC) have been announced at a glittering awards ceremony.

The final took place at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in London on June 25 and was hosted by BBC presenter and STEM ambassador Konnie Huq.

With an exceptionally strong standard of entries, the panel of independent judges faced a tough decision to choose the winners.

National Innovation Challenge badge and and programme on the table setting

  • Led by Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges (HRUC) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Industrial Liaison Program, and sponsored by Amazon, the Challenge received submissions from students across the UK on the theme of Sustainability and AI.

Yaseen Akhtar, Managing Director of the West London Institute of Technology, HRUC with the winners and finalists of the National Innovation Challenege at the awards ceremony reception. They are all dressed in formal wear and standing in a circle listening to him.

  • Yaseen Akhtar, Managing Director of the West London Institute of Technology, HRUC, said: "The National Innovation Challenge is about identifying young people who can see problems differently and develop solutions with real world impact."

Keith Smith, CEO of HRUC standing on stage at the National Innovation Challenge awards ceremony, speaking at a lectern.

  • Keith Smith, CEO of HRUC, said: “I would like to say a huge well done to all our remarkable finalists and a big thank you for all those who showcased their own personal vision of a more sustainable future.”

NIC 2026 colleges category winners - Shlok, Xainaldo and Faithon from Uxbridge College sitting at a table at the National Innovation Challenge awards ceremony. They are smiling and clapping and all dressed in formal wear.

  • The finalists faced a tense wait to find out if they would win the prize – a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States later this year.

Staff, students and guests at the National Innovation Challenge awards ceremony 2026 watching one of the finalists videos on screen. Everyone is dressed in formal wear and sitting at tables.

  • Guests, finalists and their families enjoyed watching short films about the students’ projects.

NIC 2026 Schools Category winners - Timothy, Ollie and Wojtek from St Bede’s Catholic High School holding thier trophy and standing in front of a backdrop full of logos.

  • Timothy, Ollie and Wojtek from St Bede’s Catholic High School in Ormskirk, Lancashire, were named the winners of the schools category. Their project, the DuoPod, aims to improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.

"I never thought we'd ever win this. I'm so happy and inspired to be here. With teamwork and creativity, you can create so much that might not seem possible."

NIC 2026 Colleges category winners - Shlok, Xainaldo and Faithon from Uxbridge College - holding their award and smiling. They are wearing tuxedos and standing in front of a backdrop full of logos.

  • In the colleges category, it was Shlok, Xainaldo and Faithon from Uxbridge College, London, who came out on top. Their submission impressed the judges with their proposal for a renewable energy smart road hump, named Road-IQ.

"We got an opportunity to portray our own ideas. Even a small idea can be great, and if you put it into action, someday it might come."

Our 2026 National Innovation Challenge winners and finalists with BBC presenter and STEM ambassador Konnie Huq on stage at the awards ceremony. Everyone is dressed in formal wear, holding their trophies with arms in the air.

Photo credits: Rob Addis Photography