The QBE AcceliCITY Humanitarian Challenge 2027, run by Humanitech (Australian Red Cross), is seeking technology-enabled solutions that strengthen community resilience to climate and disaster risks. Two pilot opportunities are available, each addressing a distinct challenge and offering a funded pilot valued at up to AUD $100,000. Applicants must select which pilot opportunity they are responding to, and may submit separate applications to both.

Pilot opportunity 1: Australia and New Caledonia. How can we help preparedness knowledge become lasting community resilience? The challenge looks for solutions that help preparedness knowledge last (Sustain), spread through households and communities (Spread), and turn into meaningful action (Act). Solutions should be suitable for testing within youth preparedness initiatives. The pilot is delivered in partnership with Australian Red Cross and the French Red Cross New Caledonia Delegation.

Pilot opportunity 2: Colombia. How can we help communities generate, access, share and use climate and risk intelligence? The challenge looks for solutions that help communities contribute local knowledge (Generate), access reliable and usable information (Access), exchange it across households, networks and institutions (Share), and apply it to preparedness, adaptation and response decisions (Use). Solutions should be suitable for testing within community-based climate resilience, early warning, anticipatory action or disaster risk reduction initiatives, in partnership with Colombian Red Cross and the Global Disaster Preparedness Center.

Who can apply? Applications are open globally and organisations from any country may apply, across a wide range of sectors and disciplines (e.g. behaviour change, community engagement, early warning, climate intelligence, data platforms, decision support, learning, measurement). Applicants do not need to be based in Australia, New Caledonia or Colombia, or have prior experience there, but should be able to deliver and support a pilot in their chosen location, directly or through local partnerships. Solutions should be sufficiently developed for real-world testing.

Applications close 31 October 2026. Apply via the online application form: https://app.startupscience.io/apply/Vqvxn4. Applicant guides for each pilot are available on the Humanitech website, along with FAQs. Questions: humanitech@redcross.org.au