2026 China-U.S. Young Maker Competition
Create Solutions for
Real-World Challenges
Design innovative prototypes that address community needs through creativity, collaboration, and sustainable making.
Download Guidelines
2026 Competition registration is now open, with North America regional selection events coming next.
See more >A Global Innovation Challenge
for Young Makers
The China-U.S. Young Maker Competition is an international platform that empowers the next generation of creative problem solvers.
Hosted by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and co-organized by Tsinghua University, CSCSE, and leading global partners, the competition fosters cross-cultural collaboration between young makers from China and the United States.
Rooted in open-source culture and design-driven thinking, it challenges participants to co-create innovative solutions to real-world problems—from climate resilience and public health to clean energy and the circular economy—using cutting-edge technology, AI-powered tools, and future-focused creativity.
What's in It for You?
This competition offers a unique opportunity to showcase your ideas on a global stage. Finalists from the U.S. will be invited to Beijing for the final round—an immersive international journey where you'll engage with top young innovators and industry leaders from China.
Through hands-on collaboration and cultural exchange, you'll explore one of the world's most vibrant innovation ecosystems and build meaningful cross-border connections. Participants will also benefit from media exposure across leading innovation networks in both the U.S. and China. Best of all, entry is completely free, and cash prizes will be awarded to top winners.
Road to Victory
March - June
Call for Submissions
Mid-June
Jury Review Period
End of June
National Finalists Announced
End of July
Final Pitch Day & International Winners Announced
Program Activities
Prototype Development
Participants develop original prototypes that respond to real-world challenges through design thinking, open-source tools, and hands-on experimentation. The competition values not only the final outcome, but also the iterative process behind each idea.
Live Project Showcase
Projects are presented and reviewed in live competition settings, where participants showcase their prototypes, explain their ideas, and demonstrate how their solutions work in practice. This stage highlights clarity, feasibility, and social relevance.
Recognition & Exchange
Outstanding teams are recognized at the Grand Final in Beijing, where awards, exchange activities, and shared experiences bring young makers together. Beyond competition, the program creates opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue, inspiration, and future collaboration.
Competition Overview
Right is key information about participation, requirements, and evaluation. Click each section to view details.
The China-U.S. Young Maker Competition is organized through regional competitions in China and the United States. Participants register under the competition region corresponding to their school or organization. The competition includes a Main Track open to all participants and a Vocational College Track available only in the Chinese competition region. Teams may participate individually or collaboratively, and China-U.S. joint teams are encouraged to promote cross-cultural innovation.
Participants must be citizens or legal permanent residents of China or the United States. Applicants must be 18 to 40 years old at the time of registration. Participants may compete individually or as a team. Each team may have up to five members including the team leader, who serves as the primary contact.
Projects must be new works created within the past year and must not have been publicly published, commercialized, or previously funded by commercial investment or government programs. Entries must be original and owned by the participants, with full intellectual property rights. Projects should demonstrate independent development and innovation rather than relying on existing research achievements.
Participants are expected to develop a demonstrable prototype that addresses a real-world problem. Projects are encouraged to combine software and hardware, use open-source technologies or open standards, and present the design and development process alongside the final result.
Projects are evaluated using a 100-point scoring system based on four key dimensions: • Pioneering Spirit & Innovation • Problem Orientation & Social Value • Technical Implementation • Transparency & Open-Source Mindset These criteria assess both the creativity of the idea and the feasibility and impact of the prototype.
The competition consists of three stages: 1. Registration and regional preliminary rounds 2. Project optimization for finalist teams 3. Grand Final competition Finalists advance from regional selections to present their projects at the global finals.
Awards are determined based on final evaluation results. For the main track, the competition grants First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize, along with certificates and cash awards for selected teams.
The intellectual property of participating projects remains with the participants. However, organizers retain the right to use submitted projects for demonstration and promotional purposes, excluding technical details, as stated in the participation declaration.
Coast to Coast Innovation Stops
Join us in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago as we spotlight the creativity and talent of young innovators. Each stop will feature great opportunities to connect with fellow makers, educators, and industry leaders. These in-person events are your chance to witness innovation in action—up close and across coasts.
Los Angeles
March 15, 2026
New York
April 12, 2026
Chicago
May 8, 2026