China Mobile and Canonical have launched the ‘Ubuntu Developer Innovation Contest’ to engage developers “with the next generation of mobile experiences on Ubuntu – which don’t revolve around apps and the app icon grid”.

Contest submissions can include Scopes and Apps (HTML5 and QML native), and finalists will be selected for two tracks – student and independent developers.

The competition is open to university students, independent developers and the open source community in the country.

Prizes for the submission of best mobile experiences on Ubuntu include around $11,000 in cash, mobile devices, and an internship opportunity.

According to a statement by Canonical, “Ubuntu gives developers the unprecedented opportunity to create app-like experiences that are integral to the device, at a fraction of the cost of building and maintaining traditional apps. These experiences are developed using Ubuntu Scopes, a new UI toolkit available through the Ubuntu SDK.”

Currently, there is no commercially-available hardware running the Ubuntu mobile OS (although deals have been struck with Spanish player bq and China’s Meizu).

Back in July, Cristian Parrino, VP of mobile and online services for Canonical, told Mobile Asia Daily that creating a base of user advocates from existing “fans” of Meizu and Ubuntu will be key to driving the early success of Ubuntu in the mobile market.

The competition is part of China Mobile’s “AND Your Dream Come True” Million Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Program, a venture between the Communist Youth League Central Committee and China Mobile.

Developers can get involved by visiting the official website at “Complete Your Dream” Million Youth Entrepreneur Plan. The deadline for entry is 30 April 2015, and finalists will be selected in June 2015.