Two hundred students are competing in the sixteenth edition of the Ibda’a 2026 Science and Engineering Fair, showcasing innovative projects and vying for a chance to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in international competitions. The event, organized by the King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba” in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education, takes place at the Princess Nouf Bint Abdulaziz International Conference Center and runs until January 29th.
The Ibda’a 2026 Science and Engineering Fair serves as the fifth stage of the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity “Ibda’a 2026.” This year’s competition features 200 scientific projects across 22 scientific fields. These projects were selected from over 34,000 submissions to the Olympiad, highlighting the depth of talent and innovation among Saudi students.
Winners to Represent Kingdom at International Competitions
Sixty-eight winners from the Ibda’a 2026 Science and Engineering Fair will qualify to represent Saudi Arabia in prestigious international exhibitions and competitions. These include the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States, the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) in Malaysia, and the Taiwan International Science Fair (TAISF) in Taiwan. This provides a global platform for these young innovators to showcase their talents and ideas.
The fair also includes a series of workshops, scientific lectures, and educational sessions. Mawhiba and its knowledge partners will host informational and awareness booths, enriching the visitor experience and promoting a culture of research and innovation. These activities aim to highlight national initiatives and programs that support talent and creativity.
The Ibda’a Olympiad is an annual science competition where students present individual scientific projects. These projects undergo electronic evaluation by academics and specialists based on strict scientific criteria. The top projects advance through competitive stages, culminating in international participation. This rigorous process ensures that only the most exceptional projects are recognized and supported.
Prior to the Ibda’a 2026 Science and Engineering Fair, 500 students from middle and high schools across the Kingdom presented their projects at central exhibitions held in four major cities from December 9th to 22nd. These exhibitions, the fourth stage of the Olympiad, followed educational district exhibitions where thousands of students showcased their work. These earlier stages helped refine students’ research skills and prepare them for higher-level competition.
This year’s Ibda’a 2026 Science and Engineering Fair set a new record with over 357,000 students registered, reflecting the growing interest in science and innovation within the Kingdom. The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity aims to foster creativity among students in scientific and technical fields, discover hidden talents, develop research and innovation skills, and represent the Kingdom with high-quality scientific projects on the international stage.
Ibda’a 2026 is an extension of the efforts of Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education to support talent and innovation and promote a culture of scientific research among students. This initiative contributes to preparing a generation capable of building a knowledge-based economy and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
