Energy Mentors "Power the Community" International College Design Competition 2026
📖 About the Competition
The Energy Mentors "Power the Community" International College Design Competition is a global initiative aimed at inspiring students to rethink how the world uses energy. This competition challenges participants to design a livable community for over 2,000 families, integrating sustainable energy infrastructure with human-centered housing and community design.
With the world's largest prize pool in energy competitions—$31,000—this event empowers the next generation of engineers, designers, and innovators to create practical solutions for affordable, resilient, and sustainable communities. Participants will gain certifications, develop real-world problem-solving skills, and showcase their ideas to leading global industry partners.
🗓 Opportunity Details
- Date Published: August 21, 2025
- Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
- Category: Contest
🎯 Task
Participants are tasked with designing the energy infrastructure for a community of 2,000 families, supported by the combined salaries of a nurse and a schoolteacher. The design must be:
- Affordable
- Reliable
- Sustainable
The goal is to enhance community lives with clean, safe, and efficient energy access.
💰 Benefits
- Grand Prize: US$10,000 for the winning team.
- Total Prize Pool: US$31,000, rewarding the best submissions.
- Opportunity to showcase designs to industry experts.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
- Teams may form independently or be officially sponsored by a university.
- Each team must have a team name and indicate their location (e.g., university).
- Teams can decide on the number of teammates.
- Team members may include:
- Undergraduate students
- Graduate students
- Individuals who are not degree candidates
- Teams may seek advice and knowledge from any resources, but faculty and working professionals should not directly contribute to producing results or deliverables.
📝 Application Date and Process
- The competition enrollment closes on March 15, 2026.
- Visit the official Energy Mentors website to apply and enroll in the contest.
📅 Application Deadline
March 15, 2026
🌟 Sponsor Organization
Energy Mentors
🔗 Additional Information
For more details and to apply, visit the Energy Mentors "Power the Community" International College Design Competition page.
- The winning team receives a US$10,000 grand prize and the chance to showcase their design to industry experts.
- The total prize pool is US$31,000, rewarding the best submissions.
