The Tides are Rising for 2026: A Message From the Brilliant Blue Team!
While winter storms and falling snow sweep across the country, the team at Brilliant Labs is already looking ahead: our minds are on the ocean, and the Brilliant Blue Challenge 2026 season is officially underway.
by: Rasheed Idou
Brilliant Blue Challenge Project Manager
While winter storms and falling snow may be sweeping across the country, the team at Brilliant Labs has its sights set firmly on the horizon.
Our minds are on the ocean!
The Brilliant Blue Challenge 2026 season has officially begun, and preparations are moving at full throttle. Our days are currently defined by the rewarding work of forging new national and international partnerships, recruiting ambitious student teams, and developing the educational resources that will empower the next generation of ocean innovators.
Over the last three years, we have collaborated with partners in Canada and across the globe to cultivate our #GenerationBlue community. This is more than just a network; it is a purpose-driven movement of academics, educators, innovators, tradespeople, and changemakers. To date, we have seen hundreds of students in more than 90 teams from 30+ countries rise to the challenge. The energy is palpable, and for good reason: these young leaders are redefining what is possible for our oceans.
Our offices are currently abuzz with this mission, and we wanted to share some of that excitement through the reflections of our team members:
For Jeff Willson, Executive Director at Brilliant Labs, the start of a Brilliant Blue Challenge season serves as a vital call to action.
“As we face the urgent realities driven by climate change and a need for economic growth, we must look to the innovations of our youth, our future leaders, to drive sustainable development,” he says. “By working to solve these real-world problems today, they aren’t just learning by doing; they are collaborating across sectors and becoming the architects of a resilient, thriving ocean future.” — Jeff Willson, Executive Director, Brilliant Labs
For Program Director Omar Hussein, the impact is best seen in the caliber of the participants. “Season after season, our teams have blown us away. Their creativity, ambition, and problem-solving skills have shown us that students aren’t just imagining the future of our ocean—they’re building it,” Omar reflects. He notes that 2026 is poised to be the biggest season yet: “With powerful new partnerships across the globe, more voices at the table, and more opportunities to create impact, this year is set to raise the tide for ocean innovation worldwide.”
Addressing the students participating in the 2026 season, Omar emphasizes:
“This is your moment to dive in, think big, and take action—alongside young change-makers from around the world who believe the ocean’s future is worth fighting for.”
Patricia Duffy, our Atlantic Canada Coordinator, shares this enthusiasm. “I love the Brilliant Blue Challenge. Seeing students create projects that tackle today’s global issues is incredibly inspiring,” she says. Having experienced the Challenge for the first time in October 2025, Patricia observed: “Their level of awareness is amazing, often far beyond what you see in the general public. They work so hard, and for many of them, this experience helps shape their future career path.”
Mayar Ibrabah, our Brilliant Blue Challenge Coordinator, alumna, and resident rockstar, is the perfect example of that trajectory.
“The Brilliant Blue Challenge is not only a challenge that has helped me find my footing in my future endeavours, but also one that helped me make lifelong connections and find support,” she explains.
Mayar adds that beyond the excitement of the event itself, it is the community that stands out:
“The Brilliant Blue Challenge brings together students from so many different backgrounds, each sharing creative ideas, new knowledge, and unique approaches to ocean solutions. It’s a space that has helped shape my future path while giving me lasting connections, encouragement, and a community that genuinely cares about marine life.”
As for my own perspective, beyond the sheer energy that comes with managing a project of this scale, I am consistently moved by the diversity we witness every year: a beautiful convergence of cultural and national backgrounds, a staggering range of technical solutions, and what I insist is a very healthy obsession with marine life.
The tide is rising for 2026! To learn more about the Brilliant Blue Challenge and discover ways to participate or support our mission, please visit brilliantblue.org.