Deadline: October 5, 2025
Are you passionate about solving complex global challenges and driving innovative sustainability solutions? The Wege Prize 2026 is now open for applications, offering students worldwide the chance to design transformative ideas for a circular economy. With a total prize pool of $65,000 USD, this global competition empowers interdisciplinary teams to address “wicked problems” while developing practical, scalable solutions.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for Wege Prize 2026 is October 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
Prize Structure – $65,000 in Cash Awards
Winners of the Wege Prize 2026 will share a total of $65,000 USD, distributed as follows:
- 1st Place: $30,000
- 2nd Place: $20,000
- 3rd Place: $10,000
- Finalist Awards (2 teams): $2,500 each
Prizes are shared equally among team members unless the group applies as a business entity, in which case awards are distributed to the organisation.
Who Can Apply?
The Wege Prize 2026 is open to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students across the globe.
Individual Eligibility
- Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a degree programme.
- Students graduating before May 2026 must remain enrolled until at least December 15, 2025.
Team Eligibility
- Teams must consist of exactly 5 members.
- Each team must represent at least 3 different academic disciplines (e.g., engineering, business, design).
- Teams must include students from at least 2 different higher education institutions (different universities or different schools within a university).
The Challenge
Wege Prize 2026 spans approximately nine months, guiding teams through up to four phases of idea development. Participants will progress from initial proposals to real-world prototypes, supported by expert mentorship and feedback.
The central task is to develop a solution to a “wicked problem”—a complex, large-scale issue affecting multiple stakeholders. Teams must create a circular economy innovation that is:
- Human-centred
- Powered by renewable energy
- Based on the three principles of the circular economy:
- Eliminate waste and pollution
- Circulate products and materials
- Regenerate natural systems
Judging Criteria
Solutions will be assessed based on:
- Depth of research, including engagement with stakeholders and experts
- Interdisciplinary collaboration within the team
- Innovation, viability, and scalability of the solution
- Systems thinking and user-centred design
- Quality and clarity of presentation
Intellectual Property and Requirements
- Teams retain ownership of their solutions.
- By applying, participants grant Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) and The Wege Foundation the right to use submitted materials for non-commercial purposes, with proper attribution.
- At least one team member must attend the final presentation in person.
- Winners must complete required documentation within 7 days of notification, or risk forfeiting their prize.
- Teams applying as a business entity must provide an EIN (Employer Identification Number), and may be required to submit additional paperwork.
Quick Reference Guide
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Deadline | October 5, 2025 (by 11:59 PM EST) |
| Team Composition | 5 members; ≥3 disciplines; ≥2 institutions |
| Student Status | Must remain enrolled full-time through Dec 15, 2025 (if early grad) |
| Focus | Wicked problems + circular economy innovation |
| Prize Breakdown | $30K (1st), $20K (2nd), $10K (3rd), $2.5K (×2 finalists) |
| Judging Criteria | Research, collaboration, innovation, systems-thinking, presentation |
| Business Entry Note | EIN required; prize may go to organisation |
| Intellectual Property | Retained by teams; non-commercial use by hosts allowed |
| Final Requirement | One team member must present in person |
Next Steps
- Form Your Team: Assemble a diverse group of five students across disciplines and institutions.
- Review the Design Brief: Understand the circular economy framework and wicked problem challenge.
- Begin Your Application: Prepare your initial concept, stakeholder analysis, and potential prototype ideas.
- Plan Ahead: If successful, note that Phase 2 submissions are due December 16, 2025.
Conclusion
The Wege Prize 2026 offers students a unique opportunity to collaborate globally, tackle complex challenges, and design solutions that shape a sustainable future. If you’re ready to make an impact and compete for a share of $65,000 USD, now is the time to apply.
👉 Click here to apply for Wege Prize 2026
👉 Read more about Wege Prize 2026
📌 For expert support with proposal drafting, refining, and review, contact grantsdatabase.org.
