Wege Prize 2027

About the opportunity

Wege Prize is part design competition and part global learning lab. Organized by the Wege Center for Sustainable Design at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design with support from The Wege Foundation, it challenges transdisciplinary student teams from around the world to collaborate and design products or services that accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Over four phases, teams receive in-depth feedback from a panel of expert judges to iterate and refine their solutions. Finalists present their projects live at the Wege Prize Awards in Grand Rapids, Michigan, competing for a total of $65,000 USD in cash prizes. Throughout the process, participants retain full intellectual property rights to their designs.

Funding and benefits

• Total cash prize pool of $65,000 USD: 1st Place ($30,000 USD), 2nd Place ($20,000 USD), 3rd Place ($10,000 USD), and two Finalist Awards ($2,500 USD each)
• Travel support for finalist teams: Up to $3,000 USD in travel expense reimbursement per team
• Complimentary hotel accommodations in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the presenter and at least one other team member
• In-depth, iterative feedback from expert judges at each phase of the competition
• Global visibility and networking opportunities, including access to the Wege Prize LinkedIn group

Who can apply?

• Teams must have exactly five (5) members (no more, no less)
• Teams must represent three (3) or more academic disciplines based on current program of study (previously completed degrees do not count)
• Teams must represent two (2) or more institutions of higher education (different schools within a larger university are considered different institutions)
• Individual team members must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate degree program anywhere in the world
• Individual team members must be enrolled full-time for the majority of the competition
• If graduating before May 2027, the student must be enrolled through at least December 6, 2026

Required documents

• Phase 1: Team application with written answers to questions regarding the problem, system, scope, solution, innovation, impact (UN SDGs), perspective, and next steps
• Phase 2: Project Overview 1st Draft (6 pages, 8.5" x 11", font size 11pt or larger) including a short pitch, circularity diagram, and answers to design questions
• Phase 3: Project Overview 2nd Draft (8 pages, 8.5" x 11", font size 11pt or larger) detailing financials (cost structure, revenue streams) and material flows
• Phase 3: Project Update Video (3-5 minutes, recorded by one team member reflecting on project evolution from Phase 2 to Phase 3)
• Phase 4: Final Project Overview (8 pages, 8.5" x 11", font size 11pt or larger)
• Phase 4: Project Update Video (3-5 minutes, reflecting on project evolution from Phase 3 to Phase 4)
• Phase 4: Final Presentation Materials (slideshow presentation, optionally supported by physical prototypes)
• For business entities: Valid U.S. tax identification number (EIN) and additional tax documentation
• For non-business entities or business entities with non-member participants: Written consent from all team members for prize payment

When to apply

• Team application period opens: August 3, 2026
• Phase 1 Submission Deadline: October 4, 2026
• Phase 1 Feedback Loop: October 18, 2026
• Phase 2 Submission Deadline: December 6, 2026
• Phase 2 Feedback Loop: January 3, 2027
• Phase 3 Early Review Submission (Optional): January 25, 2027 (Feedback by January 31, 2027)
• Phase 3 Final Submission Deadline: February 21, 2027
• Phase 3 Feedback Loop: March 15, 2027
• Phase 4 Early Review Submission (Optional): April 12, 2027 (Feedback by April 18, 2027)
• Phase 4 Submission Deadline: May 16, 2027
• Final Presentation and Awards Event: May 21, 2027

How to apply

• Form a transdisciplinary team of exactly five students representing at least three academic disciplines and two higher education institutions
• Register and submit the Phase 1 team application online by October 4, 2026, answering the required questions about your proposed circular solution
• If accepted (up to 90 teams), review the judges' feedback and submit the Project Overview 1st Draft by December 6, 2026, for Phase 2
• If selected to advance (up to 30 teams), revise your draft and submit the Project Overview 2nd Draft and a 3-5 minute update video by February 21, 2027, for Phase 3 (semifinalists). Optionally submit early by January 25, 2027, for extra communication feedback
• If selected as a finalist (up to 5 teams), submit the Final Project Overview, a second update video, and presentation slides by May 16, 2027, for Phase 4. Optionally submit early by April 12, 2027, for presentation feedback
• Present and defend your solution live at the 2027 Wege Prize Awards on May 21, 2027, in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Additional information

• Solutions and submitted materials remain the intellectual property of the teams
• By submitting, teams grant KCAD and The Wege Foundation non-commercial rights to display, promote, and assess their work with proper credit
• Cash prizes are split equally among team members for non-business entities, or paid as a lump sum to business entities with a valid U.S. EIN
• Live Info Session for potential participants and advisors is scheduled for September 1, 2026, at 12 PM EDT via Zoom