Student Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition Grant

Student Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Aluminum Extruders Council
Amount: US $3,000 - US $5,000
Last Updated: February 04, 2026

Summary

The Student Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition invites students globally to create innovative designs using aluminum extrusions. Participants can showcase their creativity and practical solutions while addressing sustainability and market impact. The competition offers significant awards, including $5,000 for first place, encouraging originality and effective design solutions. This initiative by the Aluminum Extruders Council promotes the potential of aluminum in shaping a sustainable future and enhancing product functionality, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life.

Overview

Background The Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition strives to challenge and empower the next generation of designers to think about how aluminum extrusions can shape a better, more sustainable world and continue to improve the quality of people's lives. The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) and its educational and research organization, the ET Foundation (ETF), are inviting students interested in product design, industrial design, design engineering, manufacturing, and other fields from around the world to share their vision for the future using aluminum extrusions. To enter, design a product that incorporates at least one extruded aluminum profile. Designing for Success Aluminum extrusions are found everywhere, from buildings and transportation to consumer products and machinery, and are often the most functional and cost-effective material and process option. The right extruded shape using the right aluminum alloy that can be enhanced through additional fabrication and finishing steps can yield an effective product design solution. Aluminum profiles can: Reduce piece count by consolidating several components into one extruded partProvide multi-functionality using complex integrated featuresFacilitate easier manufacturing and assemblyReduce material and production costs and lead timesIncrease product reliability and durabilitySimplify maintenance and repairs for product usersBuild in functionality and attractive appearance to increase marketabilityAdvance sustainability goals with aluminum’s recyclability. In what ways will your design incorporate some of these features to deliver an effective, inventive and interesting product solution? Think beyond the ordinary to come up with new, innovative and resourceful ways to use extruded aluminum! Judging Criteria Winning entries will be those that best demonstrate the benefits of aluminum extrusions – whether by inventing a new product or improving an existing one, by achieving the following objectives: Creativity Innovative design, new or expanded application capability, methods to meet a new design challenge.PracticalityEase of fabrication and assembly, cost-effectiveness, integrated or multi functionality, use of extruded aluminum over other materials and/or processes.Product/Process Advantage Product/process improvement: product design versatility or customization capability, improvement of extrusion processes, close tolerances, takes full advantage of extrusion’s abilities to improve a product.Market Impact/Potential Product design marketability, clearly identified product use(s) within the target market, and likelihood of market success. Awards The following awards will be available to the winning entries in the Student Class: First Place - $5,000Second Place - $4,000Third Place - $3,000Sustainable Design Challenge - $3,500The Sustainable Design Challenge Award will be presented to a Student design that, in addition to meeting the four basic ET Foundation Design Competition criteria, best addresses societal and/or environmental challenges/concerns.The entry must be a viable, extrusion-based product that meets the sustainability demands for the environment, while contributing to the quality of life for its intended users. Prizes will be split between team members for team submissions that win.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. High school, undergraduate, graduate, trade and vocational/technical and design school students are eligible to enter the competition. You must be enrolled in and attending school to enter.Individual and/or team entries from students around the world will be accepted.Each student on the team must complete and submit an official entry form with the submission.Designs must be original and use at least one extruded aluminum component.Multiple entries may be accepted.