Terms and Conditions

Publisher and Platform Operator

This Website is owned and operated by the Advanced Technology Research Council ("ATRC"), a council established under Law No. (14) of 2020 in Abu Dhabi, having its principal office at Accelerator 2 Building, Plot M12, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. ATRC organises the Path 2 A2RL STEM Competitions (each a "Challenge") directly, and each Challenge is delivered on ATRC's behalf by the third party Challenge Provider appointed by ATRC for that Challenge track.

The Website is created and hosted on ATRC's behalf using Microsoft Azure, with data hosted within the United Arab Emirates.

References to "we", "us" or "our" in these T&Cs are references to ATRC. References to "you" or "your" are references to the Participant and, where a Participant is under 18, include the parent or legal guardian who registers or provides consent on that Participant's behalf, as the context requires.

Subject Matter and Acceptance

ATRC hosts the Path 2 A2RL STEM Competitions through the Website and its Services; each Challenge is delivered by ATRC's appointed Challenge Provider for that Challenge track.

By registering a Team on the Website, the Team's coach, teacher or other authorised institutional representative (the "Team Representative") will be required to confirm acceptance of these T&Cs, on behalf of the Team and each of its members, by ticking the relevant box during registration. These T&Cs constitute a legally binding agreement between the Team, its members and us, and a Team may not use the Website unless the Team Representative has accepted them on the Team's behalf. Where a Team member is under 18, registration further requires the separate guardian consent described in clause 5 below.

The Team Representative will also be asked to review and accept the rules applicable to the Challenge track(s) the Team enters, as issued by the relevant Challenge Provider (the "Challenge Rules").

Please read these T&Cs carefully. If you do not accept them, do not use the Website. We may amend these T&Cs from time to time by posting an updated version on the Website. Where material changes are made, we will notify Team Representatives before the amended T&Cs take effect.

We may also modify, without prior notice, the structure and design of the Website, as well as certain Services or content.

Definitions

In these T&Cs, the following terms have the meanings set out below:

"Account" means the account that must be created for a Team to access the Services offered through the Website.

"Affiliate" means, in relation to a person, any entity that is, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control of, that person.

"Challenge Track" means each of the individual STEM competitions made available for registration on the Website, as listed in the applicable Challenge Rules.

"Challenge" means the Path 2 A2RL STEM Competitions programme as a whole, comprising the Challenge Tracks made available on the Website, in which Teams may register to compete in accordance with the Challenge Rules.

"Challenge IP" means all intellectual property generated, developed, reduced to practice and/or created by a Team Member during a Challenge Track, including as part of their Deliverables, but excluding that Team Member's Background IP.

"Challenge Rules" means the rules applicable to a specific Challenge Track, issued by the relevant Challenge Provider and published on or referenced from the Website, which are binding between us, the relevant Challenge Provider and each Team and its members. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between these T&Cs and the Challenge Rules, these T&Cs shall prevail in relation to registration, eligibility, consent and data protection matters; the Challenge Rules shall prevail in relation to the technical conduct, scoring and competition rules of the relevant Challenge Track.

"Control" means the power of a person, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of another person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, the power to appoint directors, by contract or otherwise. "Controlling" and "Controlled" shall be interpreted accordingly.

"Deliverables" means all submissions, code, designs, original ideas, documents or other materials (including reports, presentations, videos, prototypes and software) produced or submitted by a Team or its Team Members in connection with a Challenge Track, whether uploaded to the Website provided to a Challenge Provider, or produced during Challenge-related activities.

"Challenge Provider" means, in relation to a specific Challenge Track, the third party vendor engaged by ATRC to design and deliver that Challenge Track, and, in relation to the Finals event, includes the event management contractor engaged by ATRC to assist with delivery of the Finals.

"Team" means a group of students registered by a Team Representative to compete in a Challenge Track, together with its Team Representative.

"Mentor" means a subject matter expert, adviser or other individual designated by us or a Challenge Provider to provide guidance, feedback or support to a Team during a Challenge Track, where applicable under the relevant Challenge Rules.

"Background IP" means all intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to a Team Member or the Team's school, university or institution prior to, or independently of, their participation in a Challenge Track.

"Team Member" means an individual student registered as part of a Team.

"Services" means all products, services, content (including Challenge Rules, results, notifications and announcements), features, technologies or functions delivered by us or on our behalf via the Website, including but not limited to registration of Teams, management of eligibility and consents, and communications relating to the Challenge.

"Website" means the Path 2 A2RL registration portal at https://portal.a2rl.io/, and any successor URL.

Registering a Team

Eligibility Conditions

The Path 2 A2RL STEM Competitions are aimed principally at students, a substantial proportion of whom are under 18. Eligibility, age requirements and consent obligations for Teams and Team Members are set out in clause 5 below.

The Team Representative confirms that they have authority to bind the Team, its Team Members and, where applicable, the school, institution or university on whose behalf the Team registers, and that each such person or entity accepts these T&Cs.

Registering a Team

The Website allows a Team Representative to: (a) view Challenge Track information and eligibility criteria; and (b) register a Team, including its Team Members, for one or more Challenge Tracks.

You may view information on the Challenge Tracks without registering, but a Team may not enter a Challenge Track without first completing Team registration on the Website.

To register a Team, the Team Representative must complete the mandatory fields in the registration form, including Team details, the details of each Team Member, and, where any Team Member is under 18, the details of that Team Member's parent or legal guardian as set out in clause 5 below.

To register a Team, the Team Representative must have read and accepted these T&Cs and our Privacy Notice on behalf of the Team and its Team Members.

Accuracy of Account Information and Evidence

The Team Representative agrees that the information submitted in relation to the Team's registration is accurate and true, and that they will update it as and when needed to maintain accuracy.

The Team Representative will provide, upon request, such information, documents and supporting materials (such as school or institution enrolment proof, identification or passport copies) as may be reasonably required to verify the Team's and each Team Member's identity, eligibility and compliance with the applicable Challenge Rules. Failure to provide such information within the requested timeframe may result in: (a) delay or refusal of the Team's registration; (b) disqualification of the Team from the relevant Challenge Track; (c) suspension of access to the Website; and/or (d) termination of the Team's registration under these T&Cs.

Registration Security

The Team Representative is responsible for keeping the Team's registration credentials confidential. The Team Representative agrees to notify us without delay if there is any unauthorised use of the Team's registration or any security breach, such as loss or theft of log-in information.

Eligibility, Minors and Consent

Team Composition, Representative and Supervision

Teams must register and compete through a school, university or other recognised institution. Individual (non-team) entry is not permitted in any Challenge Track.

Each Challenge Track has its own minimum age requirement, as set out in the applicable Challenge Rules. Save as otherwise specified in the applicable Challenge Rules for a particular Challenge Track: (a) the institution must have obtained all necessary permissions and consents for its Team Members to participate; (b) Team Members must be students of the applicable institution; and (c) Team Members are generally expected to be within the age range specified for that Challenge Track, with younger students welcome to enter where the Challenge Rules permit and any cap on the number of older Team Members as specified in the Challenge Rules.

Each Team must nominate a Team Representative who is an adult (18 or over) and an employee or authorised representative of the Team's school, university or institution, to act as the main point of contact for the Team with ATRC and the relevant Challenge Provider in connection with the Challenge Track.

By registering a Team, the Team Representative and the Team's school, university or institution agree to: (a) ensure that Team Members comply with the applicable Challenge Rules and conduct themselves fairly, respectfully and professionally throughout the Challenge Track; (b) maintain a safe environment for all Team Members; (c) ensure that all information provided to us is accurate and complete; (d) comply with all applicable laws and the institution's own policies relating to participation; and (e) hold appropriate insurance coverage for Team Members and accompanying representatives during participation in the Challenge Track.

Guardian Consent for Minors

Where a Team Member is, or will be, under 18 years of age at the time of the relevant Challenge Track, the Team's registration will not be treated as complete, and that Team Member may not participate, until: (a) the Team Representative has confirmed the Team Member's date of birth; and (b) the parent or legal guardian of that Team Member has provided the guardian consent required under this clause 5.2.

Where a Team Member is under 18, registration cannot be completed for that Team Member until the following information has been provided by the Team Member's parent or legal guardian: the guardian's full name, relationship to the Team Member, email address and contact number.

The Team Representative and the relevant school or institution are responsible for facilitating the collection of parental or guardian consent, which should be obtained before a Team Member attends any in-person Challenge activity or receives Challenge-related materials, including any consent required for a Team Member to reside at designated accommodation during a multi-day Challenge Track. The Team Representative shall provide ATRC with evidence of such consent on request. A parent, guardian or school representative must accompany each minor Team Member at all times during in-person Challenge activities, and the Team's school or institution shall ensure the wellbeing, supervision and safety of all Team Members throughout Challenge-related activities.

Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk

The Team Representative acknowledges, and, where applicable, the parent or guardian of each minor Team Member acknowledges, that participation in a Challenge Track may involve inherent risks (despite the safety measures implemented by ATRC and the relevant Challenge Provider), including risks associated with autonomous vehicles, drones, underwater remotely operated vehicles and other equipment operating at speed or in physical proximity to participants. Subject to clause 12 (Role of ATRC and Limitation of Liability), the Team, its Team Members and, where applicable, their parents or guardians assume such risks to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, save in respect of ATRC's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

Event Conduct and Safety Requirements

Team Members and any accompanying parent, guardian or school representative must comply with all safety instructions, codes of conduct and venue rules notified by us or the relevant Challenge Provider, including those relating to the safe operation of competition hardware. We, or the relevant Challenge Provider, may remove any person from a venue or event who fails to comply with such instructions.

International Participant Requirements

Teams from outside the United Arab Emirates are welcome to register for eligible Challenge Tracks. International Teams and their Team Members are responsible for satisfying applicable visa, travel, insurance and customs requirements. We may request additional documentation from international Teams (such as passport copies) to support accreditation and event logistics, as further described in our Privacy Notice.

ATRC's Role and Standard of Liability

ATRC (directly or through the relevant Challenge Provider) will provide the Challenge framework, workshops, competition hardware, simulation tools and related learning materials for each Challenge Track. ATRC may make reasonable changes to a Challenge Track's schedule or format as needed and will appoint judges to judge each Challenge Track. Consistent with clause 12 (Role of ATRC and Limitation of Liability), ATRC will not be liable for any injury, loss or damage arising from participation in a Challenge Track, except in cases of ATRC's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

Unless otherwise notified in writing by ATRC, the Team and its school or institution shall bear all costs associated with participation in a Challenge Track (including transportation and accommodation expenses), except where a Challenge Track's published logistics notify Team Members that specified accommodation or other costs will be borne by ATRC or the relevant Challenge Provider for particular event days.

Term of Participation

A Team's registration for a Challenge Track commences on the date registration is completed and accepted, and continues until completion of that Challenge Track, unless terminated earlier in accordance with these T&Cs. ATRC may, at any time and for any reason, terminate a Team's registration or cancel a Challenge Track with immediate effect by notice to the Team Representative. ATRC's right to terminate the agreement may cover but not be limited to any of the following: where ATRC reasonably considers such action necessary to protect the safety of participants, the integrity of the Challenge, compliance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, technical or operational requirements, or the proper administration of the Challenge.

Services

Overview

The Website is a registration portal on which we, or a Challenge Provider, publish information about Challenge Tracks and through which Teams may register to participate, subject to the specific conditions of each Challenge Track as set out in the Challenge Rules.

Team Services

As a registered Team, you may:

1. access a personalised space on the Website that contains the Team's details, allows the Team Representative to view the status of the Team's registration in the Challenge Track(s) entered, and to receive communications from us and the relevant Challenge Provider;
2. register for one or more Challenge Tracks, provided that the Team meets the applicable conditions of the Challenge Rules;
3. participate in a Challenge Track as a Team, in accordance with the team composition and eligibility requirements specified in the applicable Challenge Rules; and
4. retrieve the Team’s data and Deliverables that you submit from time to time in connection with a specific Challenge Track, as specified in the applicable Challenge Rules.

Awards, Prizes and Benefits

Where a Challenge Track offers an award, prize or other benefit, this will be administered by the relevant Challenge Provider in accordance with the applicable Challenge Rules. We do not administer prize payments directly unless expressly stated in the applicable Challenge Rules.

Role of Mentors (if applicable)

Where a Challenge Track involves Mentors, the following applies:

1. Mentors are engaged by us or the relevant Challenge Provider to provide general guidance, commentary and feedback to Teams during the Challenge Track. Mentors do not act as judges for the purposes of formal evaluation or scoring, unless expressly stated otherwise in the applicable Challenge Rules.
2. Any feedback, ideas or suggestions provided by a Mentor to a Team in the course of the Challenge Track are provided for general guidance purposes only and do not create any contractual obligation, warranty or liability on the part of the Mentor, us or any Challenge Provider.
3. To the extent that a Mentor provides feedback that is incorporated into a Team's Deliverables, ownership of the resulting intellectual property shall be determined in accordance with clause 7 of these T&Cs and the applicable Challenge Rules. Teams are responsible for ensuring that any Mentor contributions they incorporate into their Deliverables do not give rise to third-party IP claims. We recommend that Teams obtain written confirmation from any Mentor before incorporating substantive Mentor contributions into their Deliverables.
4. Mentors are subject to confidentiality obligations in respect of Team materials they review, and Teams acknowledge that Mentors may engage with multiple Teams and Challenge Providers across the programme.

Evaluation of Deliverables

We are responsible for assessing all Deliverables and independently deciding, in accordance with the applicable Challenge Rules and criteria, on the winner(s) of a Challenge Track. Decisions made in accordance with the applicable Challenge Rules are considered final.

Where the applicable Challenge Rules provide for the use of automated tools or artificial intelligence ("AI") in the screening, scoring or evaluation of Deliverables, the following terms apply:

1. AI screening or evaluation tools may be used as an initial pass-fail filter or to assist human evaluators in the ranking and shortlisting of Deliverables. The use of AI tools in evaluation will be disclosed in the applicable Challenge Rules.
2. The use of AI-assisted tools does not replace human oversight of the evaluation process. All final decisions on winners shall be made by or under the supervision of human evaluators.
3. We do not warrant that AI evaluation tools are free from error or bias. Any Team that has concerns about the evaluation process should raise them through the process set out in the applicable Challenge Rules. Outcome decisions remain final in accordance with this clause.

Intellectual Property

Ownership of Vendor-Provided Materials and Challenge IP

Materials, kits, training content, competition rules and other outputs provided to Teams by a Challenge Provider ("Provider Materials") are owned or licensed as between ATRC and that Challenge Provider, and Teams and Team Members receive only the right to use Provider Materials for the purposes of participating in the relevant Challenge Track, in accordance with the applicable Challenge Rules.

Ownership of Challenge IP

As between ATRC and a Team or Team Member, each Team and Team Member retains ownership of their Challenge IP and their Background IP, including any Deliverables that constitute original work of that Team Member, subject to: (a) the licence granted to ATRC and the relevant Challenge Provider under clause 7.3 below; and (b) any additional terms set out in the applicable Challenge Rules.

Licence to ATRC and Challenge Provider for Challenge Administration

To the extent reasonably necessary for the administration, operation, evaluation, judging, verification, promotion and follow-up of the Challenge Track, each Team grants to ATRC and the relevant Challenge Provider a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to access, review, reproduce, display, evaluate, share internally, publish, retain and use the Team’s Deliverables and related, Challenge IP and data arising from the Challenge Track, for Challenge administration, judging, due diligence, internal review, winner selection, announcement of results, reporting and related follow-up discussions. This licence is intended to satisfy, on behalf of each Team Member, Participating Institution and (for minors) parent or guardian, any corresponding requirement under a Challenge Provider's Agreement with ATRC to obtain such licences directly. This licence terminates upon the conclusion of the Challenge Track, save to the extent that continued use is necessary for archival or reporting, or purposes.

IP Warranties

By registering for a Challenge Track and submitting Deliverables, each Team represents and warrants that: (a) any Deliverables it submits are its own original work (save for any third-party components expressly permitted under the applicable Challenge Rules); (b) it has the necessary rights to submit such Deliverables; and (c) the submission does not violate any applicable law or regulation or any rights of any third party.

Disqualification for IP Breach

We reserve the right to disqualify any Team where we reasonably believe that Deliverables submitted by that Team infringe upon or violate the rights of any third party.

IP Indemnity

Each Participant and Team shall indemnify and hold harmless ATRC, its affiliates, the relevant Challenge Provider, and their respective associated companies, subsidiaries and officers, against any claims or costs relating to a breach of this clause 7.

Team Communications about Challenge Participation

A Team may refer publicly to its participation in a Challenge Track, its shortlisting, finalist status or success in the Challenge Track, provided that such statements are accurate, not misleading, and do not imply any endorsement by us or the relevant Challenge Provider. Teams shall not publish or communicate any statement, content or material relating to the Challenge that is defamatory, disparaging, unlawful, or in breach of any applicable confidentiality obligation, and shall not use the names, logos, trade marks or other brand elements of ATRC or any Challenge Provider except as expressly permitted by the applicable Challenge materials or with our prior written consent.

Content Posted on the Website

Any information you provide on the Website, whether during registration or otherwise in connection with your use of the Services (such as supporting documents and any communications with us), is subject to the following:

1. the content you post and information you provide will be accurate and will not: (i) infringe any third party's copyright, trade mark, patent or other proprietary rights or rights of publicity or privacy; or (ii) violate any applicable law (including export control, unfair competition, anti-discrimination or false advertising laws);
2. at any time, you may be asked to make legally binding warranties and representations to us in relation to a Deliverable or any specific information that you submit; and
3. you are and remain solely responsible for the content that you publish on, or upload to, the Website, and for the transfer of technologies or information with which you are involved.

Rules of Conduct

When using our Website or participating in a Challenge Track, the Team and each Team Member agree not to do any of the following:

1. submit to us, other Teams, Mentors, judges or any Challenge Provider false, misleading, malicious or fraudulent information;
2. post content of a defamatory, injurious, obscene, pornographic, vulgar, offensive, aggressive, uncalled-for, violent, threatening, harassing, racist or xenophobic nature, or with sexual connotations, inciting violence, discrimination or hatred, encouraging illegal activities, or more generally content that is contrary to good morals or the purposes of the Website;
3. infringe the rights and image of us, including our intellectual property rights;
4. register more than one Team using materially the same Team Members without our prior consent, or register a Team using false institutional affiliation;
5. use the registration credentials of another Team;
6. attempt to bypass the communication channels made available on the Website, such as by attempting to contact a Challenge Provider outside of the channels made available for that purpose;
7. transfer or transmit any data that contains viruses, worms, Trojan horses or any other malicious software that could interrupt, destroy or limit the functioning of any computer or network linked directly or indirectly to the Website;
8. use any device, software or routine that could interfere with the proper working of the Website or which is intended to damage, interfere with, intercept or expropriate any system, data or personal information;
9. take any action (such as spamming) that imposes an unreasonable load on our Website;
10. violate any applicable confidentiality obligations arising within the framework of a Challenge Track; or
11. act in a way that violates any applicable law or breaches these T&Cs, including any anti-bribery, anti-corruption, sanctions, export control, import control, or other applicable laws or guidelines.

Confidentiality

Within the framework of a Challenge Track, the Team, its Team Members and the Team's school or institution shall (at all times, including following completion of the Challenge Track) keep all information received from us or the relevant Challenge Provider in connection with the Challenge Track confidential. Such information may only be used for participation in the Challenge Track and may not be shared with any third party without our or the relevant Challenge Provider's prior written consent. This obligation does not apply to information that is already public, was lawfully received from another source, or is required to be disclosed by law or regulation. Where confidentiality obligations apply, they will be set out in the applicable Challenge Rules or in a separate confidentiality agreement notified to you by the relevant Challenge Provider.

Without prejudice to any applicable Challenge Rules, you agree not to disclose to any third party any non-public information relating to the Website, other Teams, Mentors, Challenge Providers or their respective businesses that you receive in connection with the Challenge, without prior written consent from us or the relevant Challenge Provider.

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold us harmless from and against all claims, actions or demands, liabilities and settlements, including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees, arising from your unauthorised disclosure of confidential information.

Media and Promotional Usage

By registering for a Challenge Track, you acknowledge that the name, biography, team name, institutional affiliation, photographs, video footage and participation status of Team Members may be used by ATRC for: (a) internal archival purposes; (b) display at the Grand Finale event; (c) promotional and communications purposes, including on ATRC's website, social media and in press coverage of the programme; and (d) event documentation and internal reporting to ATRC leadership, in each case in accordance with applicable law and our Privacy Notice.

You may be invited to participate in media and promotional activities relating to the Challenge, including being interviewed, photographed or filmed. Where you agree to participate in such activities, you grant ATRC and, where applicable, the relevant Challenge Provider, a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, display and distribute such recordings, photographs, names and likenesses for the purposes described above, in any media, without further compensation, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

All media and promotional activities shall be conducted in compliance with applicable laws of the UAE, including any applicable restrictions on photography or recording of individuals. Where a Team Member is under 18, this consent must be given by that Team Member's parent or legal guardian as part of the guardian consent process described in clause 5. Participation in media and promotional activities is otherwise voluntary, and consent may be withdrawn at any time, subject to our legitimate interest in retaining materials already published or distributed. Due to the nature of the events, ATRC cannot guarantee that participants may not appear incidentally in photographs or videos taken by other attendees, guests or members of the public during the event.

Role of ATRC and Limitation of Liability

Platform Role

We have no control over the behaviour of Teams, Team Members, Mentors, Challenge Providers or other users of the Website. Whilst we will use our best efforts to ensure that the information published on the Website is accurate and up-to-date, we do not control information provided by third parties and made available through the Website. Information provided by other users may be inaccurate.

Similarly, we do not guarantee that the Website will function without interruption, bugs or viruses. In this respect, you accept the inherent features and limitations of the internet.

Team Responsibility

Teams, Team Representatives and, where applicable, parents or guardians act under their own responsibility, subject to our obligations to Team Members under applicable law.

Limitation of Liability

Subject to clause 5.3 (Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk), we are not responsible for: (i) the content or use of any Deliverables submitted by a Team; (ii) a Team's or Team Member's failure to complete a Challenge Track; or (iii) any consequential loss such as financial loss or loss of opportunity that a Team or Team Member may suffer as a result of using the Website or participating in a Challenge Track, save in each case in respect of our gross negligence or wilful misconduct or any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law (including for death or personal injury caused by our negligence).

We shall not be liable to you for any damages, claims, expenses or other costs you incur as a result of third-party claims related to your use of the Services. Under no circumstances shall we be liable for any indirect or consequential damages, save as set out above.

You will be responsible for, and will (at our request) defend us from, third-party claims arising out of: (a) information you provide to us for publication; (b) your Team's Deliverables; or (c) any breach by you of these T&Cs.

Dispute Between Teams

If you have a dispute with another Team in connection with a Challenge Track, you must notify us of all claims of whatever nature arising from such dispute.

Time Limitation on Claims

You agree that, regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, any claim or cause of action related to your use of the Services must be filed within one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arises, or be forever barred.

Disqualification and Forfeiture

A Team may be disqualified from a Challenge Track, and any associated award, prize or other benefit may be withheld or forfeited (and, if already paid, required to be repaid), in any of the following circumstances:

1. the Team has provided materially false, inaccurate or misleading information at any point during registration or the Challenge;
2. the Team has failed to comply with these T&Cs or the applicable Challenge Rules in any material respect;
3. the Team’s Deliverables infringe the intellectual property, confidentiality or other rights of any third party;
4. the Team fails to attend a required event or session (including a qualifier, practice session or the Finals) without providing a valid reason as early as practicable beforehand;
5. the Team fails to provide, within the required timeframe, any verification information, documents or other materials reasonably requested by us or the relevant Challenge Provider;
6. the security or integrity of the platform, the Challenge or other Teams is placed at risk by the Team's conduct; or
7. any other ground for disqualification expressly set out in the applicable Challenge Rules.

Where a Team is disqualified, we ,or the relevant Challenge Provider, may: (i) remove the Team from the Challenge Track immediately; (ii) withhold any unpaid benefit; (iii) require repayment of any benefit already received; and (iv) decline to award the relevant benefit in that round.

Disqualification shall not give rise to any claim by the Team against us or any Challenge Provider.

Registration Suspension, Restrictions of Access and Termination

The Team Representative may terminate the Team's registration and withdraw from the Challenge at any time by contacting us. The termination takes effect immediately.

If you breach your undertakings as set out in these T&Cs, or if we have genuine reason to believe that the security and integrity of ATRC, its Teams or other third parties is at risk, we reserve the right to:

1. immediately terminate these T&Cs as they apply to you; and/or
2. temporarily or permanently suspend the Team's registration.

Where this is necessary, you will be notified of such measures to enable you to respond. We will decide, at our sole discretion, whether to lift the measures put in place.

Termination or suspension of the Team's registration shall not affect any outstanding obligations you have to us, any Challenge Provider or any other Team, including in respect of confidentiality, IP, indemnity or repayment of any award.

Personal Data

In using the Website and registering a Team, you acknowledge and accept the processing of personal data by us as set out in our Privacy Notice. Our Privacy Notice is available at https://portal.a2rl.io/privacy and is incorporated into these T&Cs by reference.

Operation, Availability and Functionality of the Platform

We shall endeavour as far as possible to maintain the Website continually accessible. However, access to the Website or use of certain features may be suspended or disrupted without notice from time to time, including due to technical maintenance, migration or updates, or owing to outages or constraints linked to the network or for other technical reasons.

We reserve the right to modify or suspend all or part of your access rights to the Website or its features, at our sole discretion, temporarily or permanently.

Hyperlinks

Our Website contains links to other websites. We do not control those websites and are not responsible for their content. By including these links, we are not endorsing the material on those websites or implying any association with their operators.

General

Entire Agreement

These T&Cs and the documents incorporated by reference (including the applicable Challenge Rules and Privacy Notice) express the entire agreement between you and us relative to your use of the Website and the Services. They supersede all prior representations, arrangements, understandings and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter herein.

Amendment of T&Cs

We may modify these T&Cs to adapt to our technological and commercial environment, and to comply with applicable laws. Any modification to these T&Cs will be published on the Website with mention of the effective date, and we will notify Team Representatives before the changes take effect.

Severability

If any provision of these T&Cs is found to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or operation of the remaining provisions.

No Partnership or Agency

Nothing in these T&Cs shall operate so as to create a partnership, joint venture, agency or employment relationship between you and us, or between you and any Challenge Provider.

No Assignment

You may not assign or transfer any of your rights or obligations under these T&Cs without our prior written consent.

Headings

Headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of these T&Cs.

Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These T&Cs shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the applicable federal laws of the United Arab Emirates, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Complaints and Mediation

We invite you to submit any complaints or concerns to us using the contact details provided above. If a contractual dispute between you and us cannot be amicably resolved, the parties agree to attempt resolution through mediation before commencing formal proceedings. The mediator shall be agreed between the parties or, failing agreement within 14 days, appointed by the Abu Dhabi Centre for Dispute Resolution (ADCDR) or such other mediation body as we may notify to you.

Jurisdiction

If the dispute cannot be settled amicably or by mediation, you irrevocably agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

For the exclusive benefit of ATRC, we retain the right to bring proceedings as to the substance of the matter in the courts of the country of your residence or, where these T&Cs are entered into in the course of your trade or profession, in the courts of your principal place of business.

Technical Information

Web Hosting

The Website is hosted using Microsoft Azure, with data hosted within the United Arab Emirates.

Publisher Contact

Please contact us via email at Path2A2RL@atrc.gov.ae; we can also be contacted by mail, at: Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) Accelerator 2 Building, Plot M12 Masdar City, Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates.

Effective Date

These T&Cs are effective as of the date set out at the top of this page.