Wege Prize 2026 Timeline

Phase 1 - Team Application

August 8 - October 5, 2025 (deadline)

Your first challenge is to investigate, incubate, and communicate. Introduce your team, identify the problem you will work to address together, and present a preliminary framework for addressing the problem that will ultimately grow into your full solution. 

Phase 2 - Project Overview 1st Draft

October 27 - December 15, 2025 (deadline)

For teams cleared to advance to Phase 2, your next challenge is to consider the judges’ feedback as you work to develop your preliminary framework into a concrete circular solution, where stakeholders are engaged throughout the design process.

You’ll communicate your solution through an informative and visually compelling Project Overview document.

Phase 3 (Semifinals) - Project Overview 2nd Draft

January 12 - February 22, 2026 (deadline)

For semifinalist teams cleared to advance to Phase 3, your next challenge is to again consider the judges’ feedback as you continue to revise and expand your Project Overview to reflect how your solution has developed. 

Phase 4 (Finals) - Final Project Overview and Final Presentation Materials

March 16 - May 10, 2026 (deadline)

Selected finalist teams submit a Final Project Overview and presentation materials in preparation to present in Grand Rapids (only one team member is required to attend as presenter and travel is reimbursed up to $3,000 per team) to a live audience and compete for a portion of the $65,000 (USD) cash prize pool. 

The Core Judges will select winners live during the event.