Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)

Applications are now open for MAChallenge 2027

The Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge) is back for 2027 and applications are now open.

MAChallenge is a national competition for teams from UK universities, providing students with the opportunity to develop autonomous systems capabilities, work alongside industry mentors and tackle real-world challenges facing the marine environment. The competition focuses on the autonomous and safe operation of an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) to map and identify pollutants in the marine environment. 

The competition culminates in an exciting on-water final at the University of Plymouth Marine Station in the second half of June 2027, where finalist teams will put their software and autonomous capabilities to the test in a series of practical challenges.

Video application deadline: 5pm on 2 November 2026

Developing the UK’s Future Maritime Autonomy Technologists

The challenge

MAChallenge 2027 will take place in three stages:

1. Team video submission
2. Intermediate training and selection gateways
3. On-water final in Plymouth - the winning team will receive a £2,000 prize. 

The final will take place at the University of Plymouth Marine Station in the second half of June 2027.

Finalists will undertake four challenges focused on:

• Navigating a waypoint track
• Obstacle avoidance
• Searching for and mapping pollution
• Mapping and identifying surface targets

Solutions that operate fully autonomously will receive greater weighting than those relying on remote operation. 

Who can apply?

MAChallenge is a team competition. Teams may include up to five people and must be affiliated with a recognised UK university.

Team members should be full-time undergraduate students. One member of each team may be exempt from this requirement and may instead be a postgraduate student or someone in employment. Academic and technical staff can support teams as advisers but cannot compete as team members. 

Each team must nominate a student team leader. Teams reaching the on-water final will be expected to have at least three team members attending in person.

Students from a range of disciplines are encouraged to take part, including software development, artificial intelligence, robotics, engineering, marine science, data visualisation and environmental technology.

How to apply

To enter MAChallenge 2027, teams must submit a video pitch of approximately five minutes. The video should:

• Introduce the team
• Outline the team’s relevant experience
• Describe relevant projects the team has worked on
• Explain the key technical challenges and how the team would approach them
• Explore the role of autonomous systems in addressing ocean plastics and chemical pollutants
• Explain how the team would use the prize money

The application video must be shared with info(at)maritimeindustries.org via WeTransfer by 5pm on 2 November 2026. 

Teams should also provide:

• Team name
• Names of team members
• Primary contact’s email address and telephone number
• Host university and faculty contact

Teams are encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible by emailing info(at)maritimeindustries.org. 

Register your interest or submit your application

Key dates

• September 2026: Applications and video submissions open
• 2 November 2026: Video submission deadline
• 6 November 2026: Teams selected for Stage 2 announced
• Week commencing 11 January 2027: First competition gateway
• Week commencing 22 February 2027: Second competition gateway and selection of the three finalist teams
• Week commencing 10 May 2027: Competition readiness check
• Second half of June 2027: On-water final at the University of Plymouth Marine Station 

Support for participating teams

Teams progressing through the competition will receive access to specialist simulation software, hardware and technical familiarisation sessions. Teams selected following the January gateway will also be supported by at least one industry mentor from an SMI member company

Why are we holding MAChallenge?

A key mission of the MASG Council is to encourage young technologists and help develop careers that contribute to the future of the UK’s MAS industry.

The aim of the challenge is:

• Focussed on autonomy (not platforms)
• To get students thinking about how autonomy might address the problem of pollution in the ocean
• To stretch the knowledge of the students and promote creative thinking
• Encourage team working through a variety of individual skills
• Connect the brightest young talent coming through the UK’s universities with the UK’s MAS Industry.

If you have any questions please email us.

Industry.... We need you!

We cannot run MAChallenge without the support of the industry, the sponsorship covers students travel, accommodation and food to ensure cost is not a barrier to entry. 

What is in it for you?

Access to:
• Fantastic talent - they’re studying skills that are relevant to your business
• Highly motivated – they have to be; it’s a long haul from entering the
competition to the finals weekend
• Great team players – only the teams that work together succeed. In fact, our
best teams have helped the other teams.

Since we started running MAChallenge, several of our ‘alumni’ have found
employment in the marine technology sector, including companies working on marine autonomy.

View the 2027 sponsorship tiers here. Please get in touch if you would like to sponsor MAChallenge 2027.

With thanks to our MAChallenge Supporters: