Deadline: 28-Jan-2026
The iF Design Student Award 2026 is now open, offering students and recent design graduates a global platform to showcase future-oriented design concepts addressing real-world challenges. Participation is free, with winners sharing EUR 50,000 in prize money and receiving international recognition. The submission deadline is 28 January 2026, with winners celebrated in June 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany.
The iF Design Student Award invites young designers from around the world to submit innovative, socially relevant concepts and gain international visibility. The award celebrates design ideas that address urgent global challenges while reflecting ethical responsibility, feasibility and positive social impact.
Winners will be honoured during a two-day award event in June 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany, the World Design Capital 2026, as part of the official WDC programme activities.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to:
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Current students enrolled in design-related courses or programmes
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Recent graduates who obtained their diploma within the past two years
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Individuals or teams of up to four people
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Participants from all design-related disciplines worldwide
There is no entry fee, and applicants may submit multiple concepts, provided the same concept is not entered into more than one category.
Eligible Design Concepts
Submitted concepts may include:
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Product concepts
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Projects or systems
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Applications or digital solutions
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Communication ideas
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Service concepts
All entries must be future-oriented, addressing real-world problems through responsible and innovative design thinking.
Award Benefits
Winners of the iF Design Student Award receive extensive recognition and support, including:
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A share of the EUR 50,000 prize fund
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The iF Winner Logo for download and use
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Unlimited-time publication on the iF Design Website
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A downloadable iF Winner Certificate
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Exhibition of the awarded concept at the iF Design Exhibition in Taipei and other destinations
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An official email footer for professional correspondence
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Invitation to the two-day award ceremony in Frankfurt
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PR and social media communication support to increase international visibility
These benefits help young designers gain exposure, credibility and potential future opportunities.
Jury Evaluation Criteria
An international jury of design experts evaluates all entries based on five key criteria:
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Problem-solving – effectiveness in addressing real-world challenges
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Moral-ethical standards – responsibility and ethical awareness in design
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Solidarity – contribution to social cohesion and shared responsibility
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Economic calculation – feasibility and responsible use of resources
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Beneficial experiences – positive impact and value for users and society
The jury will select the strongest concepts and divide the prize money accordingly.
Submission Requirements
Applicants must complete the full submission process in English, including:
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Creating a user account
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Entering basic project and designer information
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Uploading media
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Providing a clear entry description
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Adding credits
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Submitting an entry summary
Required uploads include:
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Two images
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One-page DIN A1 landscape presentation poster (PDF format)
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All designer and project details in line with the official technical guidelines
Key Dates
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Submission deadline: 28 January 2026
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Online Jury: 4–13 March 2026
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Final Jury: 24 April 2026
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Winner notification from: 7 May 2026
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Awards Ceremony: 10–11 June 2026
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Public announcement of winners: 11 June 2026
Why Apply
The iF Design Student Award is designed for young designers who believe design should address pressing global issues. It offers a rare opportunity to present ideas to a distinguished international jury, gain worldwide recognition and potentially receive financial support to advance impactful design concepts. By participating, students step into a professional design environment while gaining visibility, credibility and inspiration at the start of their design careers.
For more information, visit iF International Forum Design.