The fifth annual Farm Robotics Challenge will put more than $200,000 in prizes and startup support in front of student teams, including a $100,000 investment from sponsor Reservoir for the best new agricultural company pitch.

The competition, jointly sponsored by the University of California and the USDA-funded AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems, opened its 2027 season on Sept. 15 and will accept formal team rosters and entries through Nov. 13, the university announced.

What changed for 2027?

Organizers restructured the contest into three divisions: Division I for undergraduate and graduate students at four-year colleges and universities; Division II for students at two-year colleges and trade schools; and Division III for middle and high school teams. Institutions can field multiple squads.

A Startup pathway, open to collegiate and trade-school teams, will pair selected founders with business and technology mentors from January through April before a spring pitch day in Sunnyvale. Reservoir will choose a grand-prize winner for the $100,000 investment, subject to due diligence and separate investment documentation.

How much can winning teams earn?

The California AgTech Alliance is backing the championship awards with more than $50,000, with payouts across the three divisions. The first-place Division I team will receive $25,000, and second- and third-place finishers will also receive cash awards. Reservoir's $100,000 prize sits separately as the Startup grand prize.

Why does the challenge exist?

Program leaders built the contest to give students hands-on work on real farm problems using artificial intelligence and automation, said Helle Petersen of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Innovate, which connects research with on-farm adoption.

"The Farm Robotics Challenge gives students an opportunity to work directly with growers and apply their technical skills to problems that matter," Petersen said.

The program launched in 2023, and the 2026 edition drew nearly 100 teams representing 13 countries, according to the university.

What can teams expect this cycle?

• Eligibility: Students from middle school through graduate school; multiple teams per institution allowed.
• Preregistration: Open now, with program materials and project preparation resources available ahead of the Nov. 13 entry deadline.
• Mentorship: Reservoir will host expert webinars from January through April covering company-building topics.
• Pitch day: Selected teams will present in person next spring in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Petersen framed the changes as a way to widen participation and give top performers a clearer runway beyond the competition.

"This year, we're opening the challenge to more students, creating clearer ways to recognize achievement and providing a new pathway for teams ready to take their ideas beyond the competition," Petersen said in a statement.

Who is funding and running the program?

The University of California and the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems, a USDA-funded initiative, jointly sponsor the challenge. The California AgTech Alliance is underwriting the championship awards, and Reservoir is sponsoring the Startup pathway and its $100,000 investment prize.

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Innovate runs the operational side through Petersen, whose office links university researchers with growers and industry partners.

What should teams do next?

Interested groups can preregister at farmroboticschallenge.ai to begin receiving program information. Formal team rosters and entries are due Nov. 13, ahead of the winter webinar series and the spring 2027 pitch event in Sunnyvale.

With the 2026 contest already drawing entrants from 13 countries, organizers expect the expanded divisions and Startup track to push participation higher, and the spring pitch day will test whether student-built agtech concepts can clear the bar set by Reservoir's $100,000 investment threshold.