Affordable Tools to Find and Mark Underwater Explosive Ordnance

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a global Prize Challenge to address the pervasive and dangerous problem of underwater explosive ordnance (EO), particularly in post-conflict and conflict-affected regions. Following decades of armed conflict, millions of tonnes of explosive materials remain submerged in both inland and coastal waters. These include unexploded bombs, mines, and chemical ordnance that not only pose risks of detonation but also release toxic materials that contaminate ecosystems and threaten human health. Communities in countries such as Ukraine, Yemen, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea continue to face serious challenges as they navigate waterways where the presence of EO undermines fishing, shipping, and infrastructure development. High insurance costs for humanitarian operations and the stalling of community development are just two of the many consequences of the continued presence of EO beneath the water's surface. This challenge recognizes that while advanced detection technologies exist, such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) capable of deep-water detection, they are often prohibitively expensive and inaccessible to local communities. For instance, ROVs recently deployed in Ukraine cost around $250,000 each—far beyond the reach of most humanitarian or local actors. The UNDP aims to democratize the detection and mapping of EO by fostering the development of low-cost, easy-to-use devices. These devices must be capable of identifying and geo-marking EO in water depths of up to 30 meters, with a maximum capital expenditure (CAPEX) of $5,000 USD per unit. Submissions are encouraged from innovators proposing early-stage concepts (Technology Readiness Levels 1–6) or combinations of existing components that can meet the detection and geo-marking needs of communities. Proposed solutions should be operable by one or two people for a minimum of six hours per day, and be towable or mountable on small boats (approximately 20 feet long). They must not rely on consumables or fuel and should be rechargeable using renewable sources like solar panels. Importantly, they must not pose a risk of activating unexploded ordnance and must be safe for use in diverse and low-resource settings. The core functional requirements include the detection of EO down to 30 meters, accurate surface location marking, and data export capabilities to low-cost mobile or GPS systems. Solutions should work in saltwater and freshwater and detect objects as small as an 81mm mortar bomb containing around 3kg of ferrous metal. UNDP is open to a range of technical approaches, including magnetic, acoustic, chemical, or other sensor technologies, as long as they are safe, affordable, and effective. Bonus features include the ability to indicate risk levels (such as corrosion or mobility of ordnance), and easy integration with humanitarian mapping platforms. The challenge opened for submissions on December 10, 2025, and will close on March 10, 2026. Judging will conclude by July 31, 2026, and winners will be announced by October 15, 2026. The winner will receive a $20,000 USD award. Honorable mentions may also be recognized. To be eligible for the prize, solvers must be willing to grant UNDP a non-exclusive license to use the intellectual property of the awarded solution for global humanitarian and mine action purposes, though full ownership of the IP remains with the solver unless otherwise negotiated. This initiative is part of UNDP’s broader mission to support communities affected by conflict and environmental degradation by providing practical, scalable solutions. By empowering non-specialist community members with tools for EO detection, the program hopes to significantly reduce risk, support safe economic activities, and contribute to the broader goal of peace and development.

Focus on safety, usability, and realistic deployment by communities. Avoid high-cost or professional-only solutions.