Deadline: March 15, 2026
The Power the Community International College Design Competition 2025-2026 is an innovative global challenge designed to inspire the next generation of energy professionals. Organised by Energy Mentors, a U.S.-based nonprofit founded by Don Victory (former ExxonMobil chief engineer), this competition invites students worldwide to design sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy systems for communities of the future.
With the backing of prestigious sponsors like EY, Aspen Technology, Chart Industries, and MathWorks (software sponsor), the competition is shaping up to be one of the most impactful platforms for energy and sustainability innovation.
What is the Power the Community International College Design Competition 2025-2026 About?
The challenge calls on student teams from around the world to design the energy infrastructure for a livable community of approximately 2,000 families. Each household is assumed to live on the combined income of a nurse and a schoolteacher, ensuring that affordability and accessibility remain at the heart of all submissions.
Key Requirements
- Focus on affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems.
- Include solutions spanning energy sourcing, distribution, and household use.
- Designs may optionally feature a prototypical home to showcase principles in practice.
- Consideration of community infrastructure (transport, water, waste, retail, public spaces) is encouraged.
This design competition not only encourages creativity and technical excellence but also emphasises community development and real-world applicability.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to college and university students worldwide, including:
- Undergraduate students
- Master’s and PhD students
- Non-degree students
Faculty and professionals may act as advisors but cannot produce deliverables on behalf of the teams. This ensures that the competition remains truly student-driven, with mentorship serving as guidance rather than execution.
Prizes and Recognition
Participants stand the chance to win significant rewards:
- Grand Prize: US $10,000 for the winning team, along with the opportunity to present their work to leading industry experts.
- Total Prize Pool: Over US $31,000 distributed among top-performing teams.
The competition has a strong track record of recognising student excellence:
- In 2024, a University of Connecticut (UConn) team won first place with a solar-powered community design tailored for Zimbabwe.
- In 2025, two teams from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria—Terra Haven and Shika Oasis—finished in the global top 10, further highlighting the competition’s global reach and inclusivity.
Timeline and Current Status
- Submission Deadline (2025-2026 cycle): 15 May 2024 (already closed).
- Awards Ceremony: Held on 31 May 2025 (Central Time).
- Next Cycle Registration (2026 edition): Opens 15 August 2025.
This means interested participants still have an opportunity to prepare and register for the 2026 competition, giving them ample time to form teams, develop ideas, and refine their designs.
Why Join?
The Power the Community International College Design Competition 2025-2026 offers:
- Global exposure to industry leaders and energy experts.
- The chance to contribute to sustainable development goals in a practical, impactful way.
- Meaningful prizes that support innovation and student entrepreneurship.
- A platform to showcase creative problem-solving skills with real-world applications.
If you are a student passionate about sustainability, energy, and community design, this competition provides the perfect stage to test your ideas and transform concepts into actionable solutions.
Conclusion
The Power the Community International College Design Competition 2025-2026 is more than a contest—it is a chance for students to shape the future of energy and sustainability while gaining recognition on a global stage. With significant prizes, international exposure, and real-world challenges, this is a must-join opportunity for students worldwide.
👉 Apply Here
👉 Read More About the Programme
📌 For assistance with proposal drafting, refining, and review, contact grantsdatabase.org.
