Chennai: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has invited entries for DSM Technothon 2026, a national technology challenge aimed at developing innovative solutions for sustainable deep-sea mining under the Government of India's Deep Ocean Mission.

According to NIOT, the competition seeks engineering solutions to address critical technological challenges involved in the exploration and extraction of polymetallic nodules from the deep ocean in an environmentally responsible manner.

The Technothon is open to industries, MSMEs, start-ups, incubators, and faculty members and researchers from recognised academic and research institutions. Students are not eligible to participate.

The challenge comprises two problem statements, one focusing on technologies involving a vertical riser system and the other on non-vertical riser-based concepts for deep-sea mining operations.

The competition will be conducted in two stages. In the first stage, participants will submit a Proof of Concept (PoC), following which shortlisted teams will present their proposals before a technical jury. Selected teams will receive Stage-I awards of Rs 5 lakh each.

In the second stage, shortlisted participants will prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). NIOT will select up to two winners, each of whom will receive financial support of Rs 50 lakh for technology development, subject to project milestones and the execution of an agreement with the institute.

The institute said the challenge is intended to encourage indigenous technology development and foster collaboration between industry, start-ups and research institutions in advancing deep-sea mining technologies.

Registrations are open through the official Technothon portal, and participants are required to submit their entries online within the prescribed timeline announced by NIOT.

Further details, including eligibility criteria, evaluation process, competition schedule and submission guidelines, are available on the official DSM Technothon website https://www.niotdsmtechnothon.com/.