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Your GIC Project
Many people with disabilities and their families face one or more challenges that have no market solution. Your project should solve one of these challenges, helping a person with a disability achieve their goal.
You will need to assemble your team, partner with a Need-Knower (a person with a disability, their family member or caregiver), investigate their challenge, and develop a prototype that best addresses their needs or desires. You may develop a new solution or submit a project you previously developed.
Developing, Documenting, and Submitting your Project
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All GIC projects must be documented on the TOM Global website using the Project Editor. The Project Editor will create a product file and a webpage which will be submitted for judging.
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After registering for the GIC, each participant should open a profile on the TOM Global website and visit the participant resources page to learn how to develop and document their project.
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Your documented project should be published and classified as a Prototype by May 1 to be considered for evaluation by the judges.
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Your submission should include a 3-minute pitch video showing your development process, the functionality of your solution, and your solution being used by your Need-Knower.
Judging Criteria
The judges will review your submissions and score them according to the following criteria:
Innovation: How your solution is clearly innovative, novel, or surprising.
Quality of Solution: How well your solution is constructed, including use of materials, its durability, and craftsmanship.
Accessibility: How easy it is to find the tools and materials used for the solution, and how easy is it to make.
Affordability: How affordable is your solution to make relative to your geographical location.
Documentation: How well did you document your solution, and how easy is it to understand the tools, materials, and assembly steps needed to replicate your solution.
Impact: What is the potential of your solution to transform a single person's life (individual impact); and what is the potential of your solution to change the lives of many people around the world (global impact).
The teams with the highest scores will be announced in a virtual event May 18, 2025.
Past Winning Projects
Check out all of the past Global Innovation Challenge winners below!
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2024 TOM Global Innovation Challenge
Grand Prize - Sports & Outdoors
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The Ascent - Climbing Sleeve for Retsek
A cost-effective, secure, and durable sleeve that allows Dr. Retsek to comfortably and safely climb indoors. The sleeve is made out of a compression material that is form-fitting and protective.
Grand Prize - Music & Arts
Painting Tool Grip
A grip that allows the user to paint with every tool easily and comfortably. It's made from a flexible 3D-printed material which can be modified to the user's hand dimensions.
Grand Prize - Emergency & Rehabilitation
AiBEL - Advanced Upper Limb Amputee Training Vest
A vest designed to help upper limb amputees maintain and enhance physical capabilities as they rehabilitate and transition to using a prosthesis.
Grand Prize - Daily Living
Vora - Inclusive Feminine Hygiene
A 3D-printed adaptive device that allows individuals with various hand and wrist conditions to maintain their independence and autonomy with feminine hygiene.
2023 TOM Global Innovation Challenge
Bounce - Independent play for non-mobile children
A frame which allows older non-mobile children to play independently and take part in an enjoyable, highly rewarding, physical activity.
Tools for Getting Dressed and Undressed
A set of pipe frames and 3D-printed joints that allows a user with CP to dress and undress independently and with ease.
Independent Feeding Device - Manual syringe pump for feeding tubes
A manual syringe pump with a specialized handle that allows Jameson to independently activate a feeding tube to feed himself.
ORGAN - Strap for recreational and competitive Handcycle
A custom fit strap connecting the palm of the athlete to the handlebar pedals of a handcycle.
2022 Abraham Accords Open Innovation Challenge
FLipPad - Assistive Electronic Touchpad
A low-cost, electronic touchpad which allows a person with limited hand mobility to control electronic devices.
Geek - Prosthesis for Digital Screens
A light, digital-office prosthesis that allows arm amputees to use touch screens, trackpads, and smartphones.
Mech-Canopy -
Wheelchair Rain Project
An adaptive 3D-printed clamping mechanism that securely holds an umbrella and attaches to a wheelchair
2021 TOM Global Innovation Challenge
Drawing Dreams - Arm Support Device
A low-cost support mechanism that allows children with Cerebral palsy to eat, draw, and play independently
One-2-Go - Portable Adaptive Toilet Seat
A supportive portable seat which allows people with Cerebral Palsy to use the bathroom independently anywhere.
Talker Mount - Talker Folding Mechanism
An electronic mechanism that allows a talker to be folded under a wheelchair table for safer mobility