Inclusive & Accessible Design
Solutions improving accessibility, independence, safety, comfort or usability for people with different physical, sensory, cognitive or situational needs.
Competition 2026
Inclusive Additive Design Challenge 2026
Engineering Better Products for People and Planet
Team registration is now open. Register your team to take part in the Inclusive Additive Design Challenge.
About the challenge
Engineering solutions with real-world impact
The Inclusive Additive Design Challenge invites undergraduate students to combine engineering knowledge, creativity and empathy to develop practical solutions with measurable benefits for people, communities and the planet.
Through inclusive design and additive manufacturing, participants identify real needs and develop functional prototypes that improve accessibility, everyday usability or sustainability. The challenge brings together research, design, engineering analysis and testing, encouraging students to demonstrate how thoughtful engineering and 3D printing can turn ideas into meaningful real-world solutions.
Explore the scope
Challenge Areas
All projects must demonstrate inclusive and user-centred design. Teams may choose one or combine several application areas below.
Sustainable & Circular Design
Solutions reducing material, waste or energy; extending product life; supporting repair, reuse, recycling or more responsible manufacturing.
Everyday Life & Consumer Solutions
Practical solutions addressing real everyday problems related to comfort, ergonomics, safety, convenience, education, work or home life.
Engineering & Smart Solutions
Mechanical, electronic, biomedical, manufacturing or smart products combining additive manufacturing with appropriate engineering features.
How to participate
Your journey through the competition
- Register your team
- Submit your project
- Local final
- National final
Competition journey
Key dates and timeline
1
Registration Opens
Team registration begins
2
Webinar
Design Methodologies for Additive Manufacturing
3
Webinar
Inclusive Design: Engineers Leave No One Behind
4
Registration Deadline
Final date for teams to register
5
Local Finals
Held separately at each participating institution
6
Project Submission Deadline
Final date for complete project submissions
7
National Final
Hosted by a participating institution
Recognition
Prizes
National Final
Local Final
For inspiration only
Example projects
These are illustrative examples, not prescribed topics. Teams should identify genuine problems and develop original solutions.
01
A clip-on ergonomic extension that makes a household control easier to operate for users with reduced grip strength
02
A tactile interface that improves the usability of a public or domestic product for users with visual impairments
03
A replacement component that repairs an appliance and prevents the complete product from being discarded
04
A modular learning aid adaptable for children with different sensory or cognitive needs
05
A lightweight tool or fixture that reduces material use while maintaining required strength
06
A redesigned bicycle, vehicle or mobility component that improves safety or usability
With support from
Sponsors and partners
Useful information
Frequently asked questions
Who can enter?
Undergraduate students currently enrolled at a participating institution may enter in teams within the configured team-size limits.
Does the project have to be disability related?
No. Projects may address broader inclusive, sustainable, user-centred and everyday engineering problems.
Must the prototype use FDM 3D printing?
Yes. The main designed component must be manufactured using FDM and must be essential to the solution.
Can materials other than PLA be used?
Yes, when the material selection is technically or environmentally justified.
Are the example projects prescribed topics?
No. They illustrate the breadth of the challenge. Teams should identify their own problems and develop original solutions.
Ready to take part?
Build a team, identify a genuine problem and develop a functional solution using additive manufacturing.