3^rd Edition · In collaboration with IEEE

Competition on Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN’26)

A global competition soliciting innovative ideas and aspects of NTN for next-generation wireless connectivity through a “magazine-style” paper — organized by the IEEE Communication Society Satellite & Space Communications Technical Committee and the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia.

About the Competition

The competition seeks researchers and scholars worldwide to submit unique ideas to ‘enable sustainability’ via non-terrestrial networks and their integration with terrestrial networks.

This edition of the competition (NTN’2026) is hosted in a special event titled Global Space Connectivity and Sustainability, which brings together two flagship global forums: the Space Sustainability Forum and the Connecting the World from the Skies Forum. The special event will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October 2026.

Top 10 Finalists

The top 10 selected applicants will be hosted during the event in Riyadh to present their work.

90-Minute Poster Session

Finalists present their ideas to a global audience of researchers, regulators and industry experts.

Three Grand Prizes

Finalists compete for three grand prizes totalling $30,000, announced during the event.

Submitted Paper Requirements

Submission Deadline

Papers should be submitted via EDAS by August 5, 2026 at 6 PM Riyadh, Saudi Arabia time.

Eligibility

The first author should be a full-time graduate student at the time of submission, or should have received their PhD in 2024, 2025 or 2026.

Paper Format & Length

Up to 6 pages double column including references, figures and tables (Times New Roman, 12-pt, 20-pica column width) — no more than 5,000 words in total, inclusive of title, authors’ names, abstract, body, figures, tables, captions, footnotes, acknowledgements and references.

Sustainability Statement

Via EDAS, applicants will be required to describe, in no more than 200 words, how their ideas relate to sustainability in general, in space or on earth.

Publication Status

Papers published by August 5, 2026 (even in an online early-access form) cannot be considered — papers under review or in preparation for submission are welcome.

Competition Awards

The Competition on NTN is pleased to announce three generous awards for the top three submissions.

$15,000

First Winner

Grand prize for the most innovative and impactful submission.

$10,000

Second Winner

Awarded to the runner-up submission.

$5,000

Third Winner

Awarded to the third-place submission.

Recognizing young researchers

These awards aim to recognize and honor the most innovative and impactful contributions from young researchers and scholars in the field of Non-Terrestrial Networks. We look forward to your participation and to celebrating the groundbreaking solutions that will shape the future of global connectivity.