International Robotics Design Competition 2027 with a $10,000 Prize from Stanford University
Applicant criteria
- NationalityNo specific nationality required
- AgeNo specific age required
- GenderBoth
Opportunity criteria
- Opportunity FieldTechnology and Programming, Others
- Job locationUnited States
- Deadline2026-11-30
Opportunity description
The Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge 2026-2027 is an international student design competition on the theme Human-Centered Robotics for Longevity, now in its fourteenth year. It invites university students worldwide to submit ideas by December 1, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific time), with a top prize of $10,000. You can also explore more competitions and awards for students on For9a.
About the Longevity Design Challenge
The Stanford Center on Longevity asks teams to design simple, affordable and socially supportive robotic tools that help people thrive at every stage of life while preserving or strengthening human relationships. Solutions can range from low-cost mechanical devices to interactive smart systems. The aim is not to build the most advanced robot but the most impactful one, especially for individuals and families with limited financial resources or access to emerging technologies.
Four categories
- Mobility and Physical Safety: robotics that support movement, confidence and community participation across changing physical abilities, including return to activity after injury or illness.
- Caregiving and Daily Living: robotics that reduce the physical and cognitive burden of caregiving, for new parents, partners managing a chronic condition or adult children caring for aging relatives.
- Social Connection and Human Interaction: robotics that create meaningful interaction, intergenerational connection and cognitive engagement for people whose social worlds have contracted.
- Aging Infrastructure: robotics that help people stay active in their communities despite poorly designed urban environments, physical limitations or driving cessation.
Timeline and phases
Phase I (Ideation) runs September to December 2026 and requires only an idea or concept, with no prototype. An online Living Futures: Robotics for Longevity Ideathon, co-organized with LSE Generate, was held on October 20-21, 2026 to help teams build research-backed problem statements. Judging runs December 2026 to January 2027, and 5-8 finalist teams are announced on January 27, 2027.
In Phase II (Demonstration), January to April 2027, finalists develop their idea and show viability through a physical prototype, simulation, video or Wizard of Oz prototype, or a detailed design concept with annotated diagrams and a user scenario walkthrough. They also submit a one-page summary for the finals judges and are paired with an expert mentor. Teams may use any robotic platform; platforms at the Stanford Robotics Center include CoDrone EDU, LeLamp, Pupper, Reachy Mini, Mars, Stretch 3 or 4 and TurtleBot, and will be made accessible to finalists.
The finals take place on April 6, 2027 with three days of activities on the Stanford campus and surrounding area. Each team pitches for seven minutes followed by five minutes of Q&A, and judges choose the top three winners the same day.
Judging criteria
Judges include academics, technology and consumer goods executives, venture capitalists and mission-driven organization representatives. Scoring is 40% Impact, 30% Feasibility, 20% Originality and 10% Affordability. A separate alignment-to-topic score is applied as a multiplier to the overall result.
Who Should Apply
The challenge suits university or college students from any discipline, including design, engineering, business, social sciences, law, physical sciences, education and humanities. It is a good fit for anyone interested in care, independence and affordable technology, whether applying alone or in a team of up to five.
Key Highlights
- Prizes: $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second and $2,000 for third; every finalist receives $1,000.
- Registration and submission: September 15 to December 1, 2026 on the online awards platform.
- Team size: 1-5 members, with teams allowed to span multiple universities worldwide.
- Finals: in person at Stanford University in April 2027, with limited travel reimbursement.
- Open to applicants worldwide, so it works as one of the opportunities for Arab applicants, and no IELTS score is required.
Benefits
- $10,000 cash prize for first place
- $5,000 cash prize for second place and $2,000 for third place
- $1,000 cash prize for every finalist team
- Mentorship from an experienced expert and researchers throughout Phase II
- Access for finalists to robotic platforms at the Stanford Robotics Center
- Limited travel cost reimbursement for finalists attending the finals
- Three days of activities on the Stanford campus during the April 2027 finals
- Intellectual property remains with the team, team members universities or employers
Eligibility criteria
- Teams of 1-5 students enrolled during the 2026-2027 academic year at any accredited university or college worldwide
- Each team must include at least one full-time student
- No field or background requirements; members can come from design, engineering, business, social sciences, law, physical sciences, education or humanities
- Non-university students (for example high school students) may participate only as part of a team with at least one undergraduate or graduate student
- Teams may include non-students of any age, but only students may present at the finals
- Teams may include students from multiple universities and countries
- Individuals may participate alone, join multiple teams and submit multiple designs, each under a different email address
- Designs must address the theme Human-Centered Robotics for Longevity and one of the four categories
Ready to apply?
International Robotics Design Competition 2027 with a $10,000 Prize from Stanford University