While we would truly love to welcome you to Grand Rapids and meet you face-to-face, your safety and wellbeing are our top priority. As you plan for your team's participation in the final phase of the competition, please be aware that:

• If some or all of your team members are affected by U.S. visa restrictions — or if none of your team members are comfortable traveling to the U.S. for any reason — you are not required to do so. We understand completely and are prepared to facilitate your team's virtual participation in the 2026 Wege Prize Awards.
• Presenting virtually will NOT put you at a competitive disadvantage. Your presentation will be judged exactly the same as an in-person presentation.
• Virtual presenters will be given the same opportunity as other finalist teams to rehearse their presentation ahead of time. We will work with you to ensure there are no technical issues affecting your ability to present virtually.

The 2026 Wege Prize Awards will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD), and streamed live online at wegeprize.org.

Virtual presenters will present from their home country at whatever location is most convenient and accommodating for them.

Be sure to spread the word to any classmates, friends, faculty, family members, and mentors who plan to attend either online or in person — and please direct them to our RSVP Form. Feel free to also share on your own social media pages and use the hashtag #WegePrize when you do!

Teams must select one member to present and defend their solution in its entirety — either in-person in Grand Rapids on stage in front of the judges and the audience, or virtually from wherever you are in the world (for teams who are unable to travel to the United States).

Regardless of whether your designated presenter presents in-person or virtually:

• Presenters will be allotted ten minutes to give their presentation, followed by a ten-minute Q&A session with the judges.
• Presenters will have an opportunity to rehearse their presentation in the event space the day prior to the Wege Prize Awards event. See the event schedule for details.

To review the criteria by which judges will evaluate your team's final presentation, refer to the Wege Prize 2026 Design Brief.

Final Project Overview

Finalist teams must submit a final version of their Project Overview document that:

• Reflects how your solution has developed since Phase 3, and how you've incorporated the judges' feedback into your project.
• Has been refined in terms of both its written content and its visual communication (graphic design) content.

We encourage you to continue thinking of the Project Overview as telling the story of your team's solution. This is not an academic paper! It needs to be an engaging and informative narrative that draws readers in and helps them understand the value of the work you're doing and the ideas you want to make a reality.

See the Final Project Overview guidelines for complete details.

Phase 4 Project Update Video

Record and submit another Project Update Video explaining how your project has evolved. Like in Phase 3, a simple cell-phone recording will suffice — no fancy production required!

Final Presentation Materials

Translate your team's Final Project Overview into a slideshow presentation that can be supported by physical prototypes if you choose. Slides will display on a large projection screen behind the presenter and a smaller monitor facing the presenter.

• In-person presenters will be given a handheld remote to control their slides.
• Virtual presenters will verbally cue the Wege Prize A/V team when they need to advance slides.

Review previous winners' presentations for examples of effective slide design.

Submission Details

All presentation materials, along with the Final Project Overview and Phase 4 Project Update Video, must be submitted via the Phase 4 submission form.

All times listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Outside of scheduled events, you are free to enjoy Grand Rapids as you see fit!

Only your team's designated presenter is required to attend the 2026 Wege Prize Awards in person. However, all team members, faculty, friends, and family are encouraged to attend. Those unable to attend can watch the live stream at wegeprize.org.

Booking Your Airfare

Travel Expense Reimbursement

Wege Prize is offering each finalist team up to $3,000 USD in travel expense reimbursement to help offset the costs of major travel only (flight, train, bus, taxi/rideshare, or car driven over 30 miles). Any finalist team member who travels to Grand Rapids may claim reimbursement, but the total cannot exceed $3,000 per team. Details on how to claim reimbursement and the required paperwork will be sent following the 2026 Wege Prize Awards.

Reimbursement will come after travel occurs, which means designated presenters and any other teammates planning to attend in person are responsible for booking and paying the upfront cost for their flight and other travel arrangements. If this poses a financial burden, let us know right away and we will explore alternative options.

Preferred Travel Schedule

• Aim to arrive in Grand Rapids by the evening of Wednesday, May 13 to get settled before Thursday's rehearsal.
• Book your return flight for departure after 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 16 to attend the Judges' Forum. If you must depart May 17, let us know as soon as possible.
• Travel time from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to downtown Grand Rapids is approximately 20–30 minutes by car. Transportation details will be provided in May.

Wege Prize can provide any required competition-related documentation necessary to secure a visa or other special travel arrangement. To request documentation, email wicked@wegeprize.org as soon as possible.

• Check-in: Wednesday, May 13
• Check-out: Saturday, May 16
• Each room has 2 Queen beds and a sleeper sofa

Out of the five finalist teams, judges will select first, second, and third place during the live awards event. All awards are split evenly among the five team members, unless you applied as a business entity and completed the required business paperwork.

All winning team members must complete required payment information paperwork to be eligible to receive prize money. All required paperwork and detailed instructions for completing it will be sent following the conclusion of the 2026 Wege Prize Awards.

If you have any questions about anything in this guide, please email wicked@wegeprize.org.