Extreme heat is becoming a serious concern across India. Its effects are being felt not only through rising health risks but also through disruptions to livelihoods, workplaces, infrastructure and essential services. Outdoor workers, vulnerable communities and people living in densely populated urban areas are among the most affected.
The Heat & Health Innovation Challenge (HHIC) 1.0 has been launched to identify practical solutions that can help communities, institutions and cities prepare for and respond to these risks. Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth, Tarutium Global Consulting, and the Centre of Excellence on Climate & Health jointly drive the Challenge.
HHIC 1.0 seeks solutions that have moved beyond the idea stage and are ready for validation, piloting or scaling. Startups, MSMEs, social enterprises, corporate innovation teams, NGOs and eligible research institutions can apply.
Launch of the challenge:
The Challenge was introduced in Hyderabad during the SUTRA Alliance launch on 14 July 2026. The Hon'ble Chief Secretary of Telangana formally launched the HHIC website in the presence of representatives from government, industry, healthcare, academia, and the innovation community.
The event also provided an opportunity to explain the Challenge to a wider audience and to invite innovators, institutions and potential partners to participate in and support the initiative.
Area of Focus :
The Challenge is inviting applications across three areas:
• Built Environment and Infrastructure Resilience
Solutions may include passive and energy-efficient cooling, heat-reflective materials, urban heat-island mitigation, smart-shading systems and other approaches that can make buildings and public spaces safer during extreme heat.
•Technology, Energy and Predictive Systems
This area covers early-warning systems, real-time heat monitoring, predictive tools, risk mapping, heat-resilient energy systems and other technologies that can support better planning and timely response.
• Public Health and Workforce Safety
Solutions may focus on protecting outdoor and frontline workers, preventing heat-related illness, improving community preparedness and making schools, hospitals and other public spaces more heat-resilient.
What happens Next:
Applications will be screened and reviewed against the Challenge criteria, following which the most promising solutions will be shortlisted. The selected teams will take part in a focused mentorship and acceleration programme to strengthen their solutions, validate their approach and improve their plans for implementation and scale.
The Challenge will conclude with a Demo Day, where the shortlisted teams will present their solutions to representatives from government, industry, healthcare and other relevant organisations.
A total cash award pool of ₹1,75,000 will be offered, with prizes of ₹1,00,000, ₹50,000 and ₹25,000 for the top three solutions. Participation in the Challenge is free and equity-free.
Through The Challenge:
HHIC 1.0 aims to find solutions that address real heat and health needs. It will also help selected teams improve the practical readiness of their innovations and connect with organisations that may support their validation, adoption or deployment.
Over time, the Challenge is expected to build a wider network of innovators, experts, institutions and potential partners working on heat resilience and public health.
Call for Applications DATE:
Opens on 12 September 2026.
For more information and to apply, visit the Heat & Health Innovation Challenge website.
The Heat & Health Innovation Challenge (HHIC) 1.0 has been launched to identify practical solutions that can help communities, institutions and cities prepare for and respond to these risks. Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth, Tarutium Global Consulting, and the Centre of Excellence on Climate & Health jointly drive the Challenge.
HHIC 1.0 seeks solutions that have moved beyond the idea stage and are ready for validation, piloting or scaling. Startups, MSMEs, social enterprises, corporate innovation teams, NGOs and eligible research institutions can apply.
Launch of the challenge:
The Challenge was introduced in Hyderabad during the SUTRA Alliance launch on 14 July 2026. The Hon'ble Chief Secretary of Telangana formally launched the HHIC website in the presence of representatives from government, industry, healthcare, academia, and the innovation community.
The event also provided an opportunity to explain the Challenge to a wider audience and to invite innovators, institutions and potential partners to participate in and support the initiative.
Area of Focus :
The Challenge is inviting applications across three areas:
• Built Environment and Infrastructure Resilience
Solutions may include passive and energy-efficient cooling, heat-reflective materials, urban heat-island mitigation, smart-shading systems and other approaches that can make buildings and public spaces safer during extreme heat.
•Technology, Energy and Predictive Systems
This area covers early-warning systems, real-time heat monitoring, predictive tools, risk mapping, heat-resilient energy systems and other technologies that can support better planning and timely response.
• Public Health and Workforce Safety
Solutions may focus on protecting outdoor and frontline workers, preventing heat-related illness, improving community preparedness and making schools, hospitals and other public spaces more heat-resilient.
What happens Next:
Applications will be screened and reviewed against the Challenge criteria, following which the most promising solutions will be shortlisted. The selected teams will take part in a focused mentorship and acceleration programme to strengthen their solutions, validate their approach and improve their plans for implementation and scale.
The Challenge will conclude with a Demo Day, where the shortlisted teams will present their solutions to representatives from government, industry, healthcare and other relevant organisations.
A total cash award pool of ₹1,75,000 will be offered, with prizes of ₹1,00,000, ₹50,000 and ₹25,000 for the top three solutions. Participation in the Challenge is free and equity-free.
Through The Challenge:
HHIC 1.0 aims to find solutions that address real heat and health needs. It will also help selected teams improve the practical readiness of their innovations and connect with organisations that may support their validation, adoption or deployment.
Over time, the Challenge is expected to build a wider network of innovators, experts, institutions and potential partners working on heat resilience and public health.
Call for Applications DATE:
Opens on 12 September 2026.
For more information and to apply, visit the Heat & Health Innovation Challenge website.
