climate_tech

3M Names Connecticut 8th Grader 2026 America's Top Young Scientist

St. Paul – October 15, 2026 -- 3M and Discovery Education named 8th grader Raji Doshi of Farmington, Connecticut, the winner of the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, awarding her a $25,000 cash prize and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist." Doshi, who attends Stanford Online High School, won with a natural algae-and-aragonite system designed to counter ocean acidification.

Doshi beat nine other finalists in final events at 3M headquarters

Doshi competed through the summer against nine other finalists, ages 11 to 14. She secured the win during final Challenge events at 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 12 and 13, 2026.

SparkLabs Launches $75,000 True Zero Global Prize Ahead of COP31

Palo Alto, Calif. – September 10, 2026 -- SparkLabs Group and SparkLabs True Zero opened applications for the True Zero Global Prize, a $75,000 startup competition targeting climate, energy and planetary-health innovation ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

First-place winner to receive $50,000, runner-up $25,000

The grant-funded prize will award $50,000 to the top startup and $25,000 to the second-place finisher, with winners announced November 15 during COP31, which runs November 9-20 in Antalya. Applications opened September 1, 2026, close September 28, and finalists will present to judges on October 5 before the announcement.