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NewsNewsFuture Health, A Global Initiative by Abu Dhabi has launched the Future Health Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2026, inviting global innovators to develop AI, software, and connected technology solutions across fertility, population health, and well-being. Three finalists will share USD 105,000 at GITEX 2026, with selected solutions eligible for incubation and scale.
Future Health, A Global Initiative by Abu Dhabi, has opened applications for the Future Health Digital Health Innovation Challenge 2026, inviting innovators from around the world to develop AI, software, and connected technology solutions that can help people and health systems understand health needs earlier and act sooner.
The Challenge spans three focus areas, fertility, population health, and well-being, and is co-created with MBZUAI, Inception42, and Microsoft. Applications are open until 15 November 2026.
Selected teams will gain structured access to Abu Dhabi’s clinical, technology, and health innovation ecosystem, including technical and clinical guidance to refine solutions, test assumptions, and develop working prototypes or demonstrable technologies. The programme is designed to accelerate the path from promising concept to real-world applicability.
The Challenge invites teams to develop solutions within one of three defined areas, each reflecting work already advancing within Abu Dhabi’s health and innovation landscape:
The Challenge is framed around a moment of genuine opportunity in digital health. The World Bank estimates that people-centred and evidence-based digital investments could help governments save up to 15% of health costs, highlighting the potential for technology to improve health outcomes while making better use of resources. Abu Dhabi’s combination of strong clinical capabilities, connected health information, and established technology expertise makes it a distinctive environment in which that potential can be translated into practical solutions.
H.E. Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, framed the ambition behind the initiative:
“Digital innovation is giving us new ways to understand health risks and needs earlier. The opportunity now is to turn that intelligence into action that improves people’s health and supports more proactive and personalised models of care. Abu Dhabi is creating an environment where innovators can develop solutions around pressing health needs, supported by strong clinical capabilities, connected health information and advanced technology expertise. Through the Future Health Digital Innovation Challenge 2026, we are inviting global talent to bring forward promising ideas and work with our ecosystem to move them closer to practical action. The solutions developed through this Challenge have the potential to support better health outcomes in Abu Dhabi while generating technologies and knowledge that can contribute to better health systems globally.”
The Challenge is open to applicants worldwide. Start-ups, researchers, developers, clinicians, students, and entrepreneurs are all eligible to apply, individually or as multidisciplinary teams. Applications may include new concepts, early-stage prototypes, or existing solutions that can be adapted to address one of the three Challenge focus areas.
Co-creators MBZUAI, Inception42, and Microsoft will bring expertise in artificial intelligence, technology development, and solution-building, alongside clinical and health-system perspectives drawn from Abu Dhabi’s broader ecosystem.
Future Health is a year-round platform for global collaboration and transformative health innovation, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Its 2026 theme, ‘To Sense is to Predict,' explores how better understanding of health signals can support earlier, more informed action.
Future Health is curated and convened by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and its Founding Partners PureHealth, M42, Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi, and Mubadala Bio. Mediclinic Middle East serves as a strategic partner and Burjeel Holdings as an associate partner.
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