Riyadh, 10 Sha'ban 1447 AH (29 January 2026)

The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) has announced the grand prize winners of the Ibdaa Science and Engineering Fair, closing the 16th National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa 2026", held in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education from 25 to 29 January.

The announcement capped four months of scientific competition involving more than 357,000 students who submitted more than 34,000 projects. Sixty-eight students were crowned with grand prizes, and their projects were nominated to represent the Kingdom at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026) and a number of other international competitions.

The awards spanned several tracks, including sustainable environment and supply of basic needs, economies of the future, leadership in energy and industry, and human health. Students secured advanced placings that reflected the scientific and innovative excellence of national talent, judged by a wide panel of academic evaluators and experts from universities and research bodies.

Earlier the same day, Mawhiba announced that 84 students had won special awards offered by 12 national and international ministries, authorities and institutions, comprising 59 local and 25 international awards, in support of outstanding scientific projects at Ibdaa 2026.

The Scientific Creativity Olympiad is an annual national competition that develops students' research and innovation capabilities and prepares them to compete globally through an integrated system of fairs and scientific judging to accredited international standards.

At a Glance

  • Organiser: King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba)
  • Strategic partner: Ministry of Education
  • Occasion: Closing of the "Ibdaa 2026" Scientific Creativity Olympiad
  • Venue: Riyadh
  • Date: 29 January 2026