Collaboration with the United Nations and the University of Cambridge Institute is accelerating the program’s mission to scale breakthrough technologies and deliver real-world climate solutions.

The TERA-Award 2026 programme has expanded its global reach, announcing two new international partnerships aimed at accelerating climate solutions through advanced energy technologies.

Organisers said the programme has formed collaborations with the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), in a move designed to strengthen the award’s ability to connect innovation with real-world deployment.

The TERA-Award was launched in 2021 by Dr Peter Lee Ka-kit with the mission of addressing global climate change through technological innovation.

Since then, it has developed into an international acceleration platform that pairs significant prize funding with practical application scenarios, supported by industrial and capital enablement.

The programme aims to mobilise innovators working in frontier energy technologies to pursue projects with measurable climate impact.

Since its launch, organisers say the TERA-Award has become an influential professional competition in the global energy technology sector.

The addition of UNCTAD and CISL as strategic supporting institutions is being described as a milestone, intended to boost the programme’s capacity to link global innovation resources and advance the development of intelligent energy systems.

UNCTAD, the UN’s focal point for trade, investment and sustainable development, will contribute global policy expertise and cross-regional industry networks to support the programme.

Organisers say the partnership is expected to better connect innovative outcomes with specific markets and application scenarios, accelerating international deployment and large-scale adoption.

CISL will contribute research capabilities in climate and energy innovation. Its involvement is expected to strengthen the award’s evaluation framework, helping identify projects that combine scientific excellence with strong commercialisation potential.

TERA-Award Organising Committee Executive Chairman Alan Chan Ying-lung said, “UNCTAD, CISL, and the TERA-Award programme share a strong commitment to advancing technological innovation as a solution to climate challenges,”

“By collaborating with international organisations and governments worldwide, I look forward to accelerating the real-world deployment of TERA-Award projects and delivering practical technology pathways for the global energy transition and climate action.” he said.

James Cole, Executive Director, Chief Innovation Officer, CISL, said, “At CISL, we recognise that accelerating the energy transition is critical for long-term societal and market resilience.

“This creates an enormous opportunity for innovation, capital, and  solutions with global-scale potential,” said Cole

“Our partnership with the TERA-Award programme reflects our commitment to cross-border approaches to innovation, ensuring that the most promising solutions are not only technically strong but capable of delivering real‑world impact where it is most urgently needed.” he said.

TERA-Award 2026 Adds AI and Next-Gen Energy Categories, Putting Million-Dollar Prizes Behind the Hardest Problems in Decarbonisation

In response to key technological challenges in emissions reduction and the energy  transition, the TERA-Award 2026 programme is building on its four established core  categories —

Green Fuels & Hydrogen Energy, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Saving & Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), and Smart Energy System — by introducing two new categories: AI × Energy and Next Generation Energy. 

The AI × Energy category has two key strategic objectives.

Firstly, it aims to promote the deep integration of artificial intelligence into energy systems, drawing on technologies such as large-scale models and embodied intelligence to enhance system efficiency and resilience.

Secondly, it seeks to address rising energy demand and carbon footprint driven by the rapid growth of the AI industry, exploring low-carbon and high-efficiency energy solutions to support the sustainable development of AI. 

The Next-Generation Energy Technologies category moves beyond renewable energy to include advanced nuclear technologies such as nuclear fusion and small modular reactors (SMRs), systematically exploring their potential roles in future energy systems. 

TERA-Award Chief Organiser Heron Ho Shing-yan said, “Artificial intelligence is reshaping the efficiency landscape of the energy sector, while deep capital engagement determines how quickly technologies can move from laboratories to large-scale deployment,”

“Through the TERA-Award programme’s technology–scenario–capital acceleration platform, high-quality energy innovation projects can connect efficiently with global capital and industrial resources, accelerating commercialisation and scalable impact,”

Innovation Hub Hong Kong Connects Global Technology Ecosystems 

Hong Kong is helping lead the way in the global energy transition by implementing its Climate Action Plan 2050 strategy, creating a green development ecosystem characterised by a supportive policy environment, diverse application scenarios, and a high concentration of innovation resources.

InvestHK is the strategic partner for TERA-Award. King Leung, Global Head of Financial Services, FinTech & Sustainability, InvestHK, said, “Hong Kong is committed to strengthening its role as a global centre for green technology and green finance,” 

“TERA‑Award has once again demonstrated how the city’s robust ecosystem supported by strong government policy, world‑class research capabilities, and deep international connectivity can accelerate the real‑world deployment of breakthrough energy and climate technologies,” 

“InvestHK looks forward to building a stronger bridge between international energy ecosystems and the award’s growing international impact, helping innovators scale, commercialise, and reach broader markets across Asia and beyond.” 

The TERA-Award program is positioning itself as more than a prize—and more like a global fast-track for energy innovators.

Since launching, the initiative has drawn close to 2,000 entries from 76 countries and regions, awarding a combined US$4.65 million in prize funding.

But organisers say the real value sits beyond the podium: the program also helps entrants and alumni pursue funding pathways and connect with real-world deployment opportunities.

Its latest success story is Hong Kong start-up Luquos Energy, which the program supported as it closed a seed funding round.

For 2026, TERA-Award will offer a US$1.15 million prize pool, with online applications now open. Submissions will be accepted until late April.

To build momentum ahead of judging, the program will roll out roadshows and promotional events across the UK, Europe, Singapore and Beijing in the coming months.

The sessions will pitch the competition to global founders while explaining the evaluation criteria, how the process works, and potential collaboration opportunities

Organisers are urging energy technology innovators worldwide to apply, framing the award as a practical platform to accelerate solutions that can cut emissions and push the global energy transition from ambition into action.

About The TERA-Award 2026

The TERA-Award 2026 is a premier global competition for clean energy innovations, featuring a US$1.15 million prize pool, including a US$1 million top prize.

Open for applications until late April 2026, the programme targets startups focusing on AI × Energy, New-Generation Energy Technologies, and sustainability, with support from UNCTAD and Cambridge University