Please note, these dates change each competition year. Check back for updates.

WEGE PRIZE 2025 TIMELINE

Phase 1/Application: August - October (deadline)  
Teams complete the application and submit a research plan that identifies their chosen wicked problem and begins building the foundation for a circular design solution.  

Preliminary Judges Feedback completed for accepted Phase 1 teams: late October
All teams accepted to participate in Phase 1 will receive feedback on their submitted materials from our preliminary judges. 

Phase 2: Late October - December (deadline)
Teams cleared by the Preliminary Judges to advance to Phase 2 will refine their ideas and submit an initial project summary. 

Core Judges Review: December - January
Phase 2 submissions are reviewed by our panel of core judges. After providing feedback, judges narrow down the pool of teams to a set of semifinalists.

Phase 3: January (anticipated semifinalist notification) - February (deadline)
Semifinalist teams further develop and refine their project summary and turn it in by this deadline for another round of feedback. 

Core Judges Review: February - March
Judges review Phase 3 submissions and select the finalist teams.

Phase 4: March (anticipated finalist notification) - May (deadline)
Selected finalist teams submit presentation materials and a finalized Project Summary in preparation to present in Grand Rapids to a live audience (travel is reimbursed up to $3,000 per team) and compete for a portion of the $65k cash prize pool. 

Core judges will select winners live at the Final Presentations and Awards Event held the week following the Phase 4 deadline.