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2026 MICROSOFT IMAGINE CUP COMPETITION (STUDENT STARTUP COMPETITION)

Application Deadline: January 9, 2026

LOCATION: USA

Imagine Cup is where student founders turn bold ideas into solutions trusted by organizations worldwide. At every step, you’ll have access to Microsoft’s AI technologies, tailored guidance, and connections that help you refine your product and grow as a founder. Focus on a challenge aligned with one of the five Imagine Cup categories, or tackle a different one altogether. Join the next generation of startup founders solving real problems through technology, powered by Microsoft tools, mentorship, and a global community.

ELIGIBILITY:

Two Paths. One Goal: Build What Matters: Imagine Cup offers two tailored paths, Scale and Launch, to meet student founders where they are. Whether you’re gaining traction or just starting to grow, you’ll build with Microsoft AI technologies and advance with expert mentorship, resources, and a global community.

Scale: For student-led startups with traction. If you’ve already secured users, revenue, or capital—whether through any amount of dilutive funding or no more than $5,000,000 USD in combined dilutive or external, non-dilutive funding—the Scale track is for you. You’ll focus on refining product-market fit and preparing to scale your solution into leading organizations. The top 3 Scale teams will secure their spot at the World Championship.

Launch: For early-stage student teams building with potential. If you’re developing an AI-powered solution but not yet ready for Scale, the Launch track helps you take the next step. Whether you’ve built a prototype, tested an MVP, or are validating your market fit, this track gives you the support to grow with clarity and confidence. Eligible teams have not received any amount of dilutive funding or have secured no more than $100,000 USD in external, non-dilutive funding. The winner is announced after the semifinals.

After you register, what’s next?

Unlock up to $5,000 USD in Azure credits to experiment, test, and refine your Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Build your team. Up to four (4) students are allowed per team, and everyone must register on the Imagine Cup website.

Join the Sprint to Imagine Cup, a learning experience designed to explore what’s possible with Microsoft’s platforms and help you prepare a strong submission.

Follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on tips and competition deadlines:

LinkedIn

Instagram

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Facebook

YouTube

Looking for inspiration for your startup idea? Learn about past competitors and find resources below!

Self-paced learning on using Microsoft AI for your startup

Student Developer Blog

Microsoft for Startups Blog

Students aged 18+ are eligible to participate. Some restrictions apply, please see the full requirements in the official rules.

You can create any solution you are passionate about, but it must include at least two (2) Microsoft AI services and consider diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Details about the requirements can be found in the official rules.

Each team can have a maximum of four (4) members. All must be students. Create and manage your team.

Submissions should include a pitch deck, recorded pitch, and demo video, all addressing the judging criteria outlined in the official rules.

BENEFIT:

Scale Prizing: $100,000 USD

Private mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella

Opportunities for deeper partnership with Microsoft for Startups.

Launch Prizing: $50,000 USD

Continued visibility and support from Microsoft

APPLY

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF CHINESE ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  SCHOLARSHIP (GSCAASS)

Application Deadline: March 31st, 2026, and April 30th, 2026, respectively, for enrollment in the autumn semester.

LOCATION: China

The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) is a national organization for scientific research, technology transfer, and education in agriculture. GSCAAS has been established by GSCAAS to sponsor international students and scholars with outstanding academic performance to pursue higher education at CAAS. Those who have received scholarships from the Chinese government or Beijing government are not eligible for the scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY:

Non-Chinese citizens;

Healthy and willing to abide by the Chinese laws and decrees;

Conform to the education and age requirements as follows:

 Master’s programs: holds a Bachelor’s degree and is under the age of 35;

Doctoral programs: holds a Master’s degree and is under the age of 40;

General Scholar: has at least two years’ undergraduate studies and is under the age of 45;

 Senior Scholar: holds a Master’s or higher degree, or has an academic title of associate professor or higher, and is under the age of 50.

English and/or Chinese proficiency.

Application Documents: (Submitting via the online application system, not via via email.) Application Form for Study in CAAS-2026

Everyone is REQUIRED to fill in the GSCAAS online application system

Please choose the major and host supervisor cautiously based on the attached Supervisor List and submit your application after a thorough discussion with the expected supervisor. The catalogue of the International Students Programs -2026 is attached below the content and will continue to be updated on a regular basis.

GSCAAS-OWSD fellowship: This Fellowship has been jointly established by GSCAAS and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), and is offered to female scientists from Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs) to undertake PhD research in Natural, Engineering and Information Technology sciences at a host institute in the South. Please refer to: https://owsd.net/career-development/phd-fellowship. GSCAAS will issue the applicants a Preliminary Acceptance Letter when the eligible application documents were received.

BENEFIT:

The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS): A fee waiver for tuition and basic textbooks. The cost of experiments or internships beyond the program curriculum is at the student’s own expense. Costs of books or learning materials other than the required basic textbooks must be covered by the student. 

Free on-campus dormitory accommodation.

Living allowance (per month): 

Master’s student & General Scholar: 3,000 RMB; 

Doctoral student & Senior Scholar: 3,500 RMB.

Fee to cover Comprehensive Medical Insurance.

Since the GSCAAS has a limited quota for the Chinese Government Scholarship-University program, applicants (especially those who apply for the Master’s program) are encouraged to apply for the CGS-Bilateral program from the Embassy

The Graduate School of CAAS Scholarship (GSCAASS): The GSCAAS covers the following:

A fee waiver for tuition and basic textbooks. Costs of experiments or internships beyond the program curriculum are at the student’s own expense. Costs of books or learning materials other than required basic textbooks must also be covered by the student. 

Free on-campus dormitory accommodation (supported by GSCAAS supervisor).

Research Assistantship (per month, supported by GSCAAS supervisor): 

Master’s student & General Scholar: 3,000 RMB; 

Doctoral student & Senior Scholar: 3,500 RMB. 

Fee to cover Comprehensive Medical Insurance provided by GSCAAS.

The Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS):BGS has been established by the Beijing Government to sponsor international students and scholars with outstanding academic performance to pursue higher degrees in Beijing. The winners of BGS are exempt from tuition costs for the specific academic year. The GSCAAS supervisor provides research assistant fellowship, accommodation fee of on-campus dormitory and GSCAAS covers Comprehensive Medical Insurance for the international student. Those who have received CGS are not eligible for BGS.

 GSCAAS-OWSD fellowship: The GSCAAS-OWSD fellowship covers:

A monthly allowance to cover basic living expenses such as accommodation and meals while in the host country;

A special allowance to attend international conferences during the period of the fellowship;

The opportunity to attend regional science communications workshops, on a competitive basis;

A return ticket from the home country to the host institute for the agreed research period;

Annual medical insurance contribution (USD 200/year), Visa expenses.

Study fees (including tuition and registration fees) in agreement with the chosen host institute, which is also expected to contribute.

APPLY