Wege Prize 2027 challenges transdisciplinary teams of university students to design circular-economy solutions to complex real-world problems. Teams compete through four development phases supported by feedback from Wege Prize judges. The competition offers $65,000 in total cash prizes, and team applications are due by October 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Wege Prize 2027
Category: Design Competition
Organizer: The Wege Center for Sustainable Design at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design
Team Size: Exactly 5 students
Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students
Total Prize Pool: $65,000 USD
Final Awards Event: May 21, 2027, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Application Deadline: October 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
About Wege Prize 2027
Wege Prize combines a design competition with a learning process focused on the circular economy. Participating teams develop a product or service that addresses a complex problem while making circular design central to the proposed solution.
Teams refine their ideas through an iterative process. Judges provide detailed feedback as successful teams progress through successive stages of the competition.
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Team Requirements
Each Wege Prize team must satisfy all of the following conditions:
• Include exactly five members.
• Represent at least three academic disciplines based on members’ current programmes of study.
• Represent at least two institutions of higher education.
• Include members currently enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate degree programmes.
• Include members who remain enrolled full-time for the majority of the competition.
• Members graduating before May 2027 must remain enrolled through at least December 6, 2026.
Students may participate from degree programmes anywhere in the world. Teams can combine undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students.
The Circular Design Challenge
Teams must propose a product or service that addresses a real-world problem through circular design.
The competition identifies three core circular-economy principles:
✓ Eliminate waste and pollution
✓ Circulate products and materials
✓ Regenerate nature
Teams are expected to develop their solutions through research, stakeholder engagement, prototyping, feedback, and refinement.
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Competition Phases
Wege Prize 2027 progresses through four main phases.
• Phase 1 – Apply: August 3–October 4, 2026; up to 90 teams accepted.
• Phase 2 – Design: October 19–December 6, 2026; 30 teams advance.
• Phase 3 – Refine: January 4–February 21, 2027; 15 semifinalists remain.
• Phase 4 – Present: March 15–May 16, 2027; five finalist teams advance.
• Final Presentation and Awards Event: May 21, 2027.
Each stage requires teams to further develop and communicate their proposed circular solution.
Judging Criteria
Judges assess solutions across seven areas:
• Circularity
• Innovation
• Viability
• Scope
• Desirability
• Collaboration
• Presentation
Feedback is incorporated throughout the competition so teams can strengthen their ideas as they progress.
Prize Structure
The five finalist teams compete for $65,000 USD in total cash prizes.
✓ First Place: $30,000
✓ Second Place: $20,000
✓ Third Place: $10,000
✓ Finalist Award: $2,500 for each of the two remaining finalist teams
For teams applying as non-business entities, prize money is divided equally among the five team members. Different payment rules apply to qualifying business entities.
Travel Support for Finalists
Wege Prize provides travel assistance for teams reaching the final stage.
✓ Up to $3,000 USD in travel-expense reimbursement per finalist team
✓ Hotel accommodation in downtown Grand Rapids for the designated presenter and at least one additional team member
The 2027 Wege Prize Awards will be held at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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What Teams Need for the Application
Before beginning the application, teams should confirm that all five members meet the participation requirements.
The application requires information from every team member, including:
• Legal and preferred name
• Email address
• Country of citizenship and current residence
• Current college or university
• Major, degree type, student status, and expected completion date
• Headshot
Teams must also prepare written responses addressing their chosen problem, the wider system surrounding it, project scope, proposed solution, innovation, expected impact, stakeholder engagement, and planned next steps.
Application Deadline
The team application deadline for Wege Prize 2027 is:
October 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
Late applications will not be accepted.
Apply Here
Submit your team application through the official Wege Prize application form.
