Nominations open for iF Design Student Award

Deadline: 03-Feb-2027

The iF Design Student Award invites current students and recent graduates from design-related programs worldwide to submit innovative concepts addressing the first 15 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Participation is free, teams may include up to four people, and selected winners will share a total prize fund of EUR 50,000 while receiving international exposure, publication, exhibition, and networking opportunities.

About the iF Design Student Award

The iF Design Student Award is an international competition for emerging designers who use creativity to address social, environmental, economic, and technological challenges. The competition will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027. It has become a major global platform for young designers, attracting more than 7,000 entries annually. The program enables students and recent graduates to present future-focused concepts to an international jury and design community. Purpose of the Competition The competition promotes design as a tool for sustainable development and positive social change.

Its objectives include:

- Encouraging innovative responses to global challenges - Connecting design concepts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals - Giving emerging designers international visibility - Supporting professional development - Promoting socially and environmentally responsible design - Connecting young designers with experts and industry professionals - Recognizing concepts with strong impact and implementation potential - Creating opportunities for exhibition, publication, and networking Prize Fund

The total prize fund is:

The prize money will be shared among the top entries. The available information does not specify the number of cash prizes or the amount allocated to each winning concept. Distribution will be determined through the jury process. No Participation Fee

Participation in the competition is free of charge

Applicants are not required to pay an entry or registration fee to submit an eligible concept. Participants should still consider any costs associated with developing presentation materials or attending optional activities. Who Is Eligible?

The competition is open to:

- Current students - Recent graduates - Individuals enrolled in design-related courses or programs - Graduates who completed their studies within the previous two years - Individual applicants - Teams of up to four people The competition is internationally accessible, subject to the complete official eligibility rules. Eligible Fields of Study Applicants may come from any design-related course or program.

Relevant disciplines may include:

- Product design - Industrial design - Communication design - Graphic design - Interaction design - User experience design - Service design - Fashion design - Interior design - Architecture-related design - Digital design - Social design - Sustainable design - Transportation design - Packaging design - Other related creative disciplines Applicants should confirm whether their specific course meets the official definition of a design-related program. Recent Graduate Requirement Recent graduates must generally have completed their design-related studies within two years of applying.

Applicants may be required to provide:

- Graduation certificate - Degree or diploma - Official academic record - Confirmation from the educational institution - Other proof of graduation date Candidates should consult the official rules to confirm how the two-year period is calculated. Team Applications Entries may be submitted by teams of up to four people.

Team members should clearly agree on:

- Individual roles - Concept ownership - Intellectual property - Presentation responsibilities - Prize-money distribution - Communication with the organizers - Participation in jury or award activities Teams may need to nominate one member as the primary contact. Sustainable Development Goal Requirement Every submission must address at least one of the first 15 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The proposal should identify the selected SDG and explain the connection between the design concept and the relevant global challenge. General claims about sustainability are not sufficient. The design should demonstrate a clear, logical, and measurable contribution. Eligible UN Sustainable Development Goals Submissions may address one or more of the following goals: - No Poverty - Zero Hunger - Good Health and Well-Being - Quality Education - Gender Equality - Clean Water and Sanitation - Affordable and Clean Energy - Decent Work and Economic Growth - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Reduced Inequalities - Sustainable Cities and Communities - Responsible Consumption and Production - Climate Action - Life Below Water - Life on Land Concepts focused exclusively on SDG 16 or SDG 17 are not included within the stated thematic scope. Types of Concepts That May Be Submitted Eligible entries may include innovative design concepts addressing areas such as: The concept should be more than a general idea. It should communicate how the proposed solution works, who it serves, and why it is needed. What Makes a Strong Design Concept? A competitive concept should combine innovation, relevance, usability, and potential impact. Strong submissions are likely to demonstrate: - A clearly defined problem - A well-researched target group - Direct alignment with an eligible SDG - An original design response - Practical usability - Social or environmental value - Appropriate use of technology - Feasibility - Scalability or transferability - Responsible material and production choices - Clear visual communication - Potential for meaningful implementation Two-Stage Jury Process Entries are evaluated through two stages.

Stage One: Online Evaluation

The initial assessment is conducted online. Jurors review submitted concepts and determine which entries should progress to the final stage. Applicants should ensure that their digital submis