Deadline: March 15, 2026
Applications are open for the Energy Mentors “Power the Community” International College Design Competition 2026. Power the Community is an international college design competition hosted by Energy Mentors, bringing together students worldwide to rethink how the world uses energy. With the world’s largest prize pool in energy competitions—$31,000—the challenge asks participants to design a livable community for over 2,000 families, combining sustainable energy infrastructure with human-centered housing and community design.
Beyond competing for prizes, students gain certifications, build real-world problem-solving skills, and showcase their ideas to leading global industry partners. The initiative empowers the next generation of engineers, designers, and innovators to turn bold concepts into practical solutions that make communities more affordable, resilient, and sustainable. By uniting creativity, technical expertise, and mentorship, Power the Community is shaping future leaders in energy and sustainable development.
Task
Design the energy infrastructure for a community of 2,000 families, each supported by the combined salaries of a nurse and a schoolteacher. Your design must be affordable, reliable, and sustainable, aiming to enhance community lives with clean, safe, and efficient energy access.
Benefits
- 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.
Eligibility
- Teams may form ad hoc and need not be officially sponsored by a university, or their university can sponsor them.
- Each team should have a team name and indicate their location, such as their university.
- Teams can decide on the number of teammates themselves.
- Team members may include undergraduate students, graduate students, and persons who are not degree candidates.
- Teams may draw on the knowledge and advice from any resources they wish. However, faculty and working professionals should not contribute to directly producing results and deliverables.
Application
The competition enrollment closes on March 15, 2026. Enrollment closes the registration to the competition.
For more information, visit International College Design Competition.
