The Clarke Prize Environmental Design Challenge

Unlock your potential as an environmental change-maker and gain hands-on experience by applying your engineering skills to the Clarke Prize Environmental Design Challenge.

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Applications for the January 2026 Clarke Prize Environmental Design Challenge are OPEN from October 27, 2025 - December 3, 2025 .

Apply Here

About The Event

The Clarke Prize Environmental Design Challenge is a two-day event, exclusively for undergraduate engineering students (year 2+). Put your creativity and problem-solving skills to the test as you come up with new ideas to tackle real-world environmental challenges. Collaborate with peers, learn from experts and turn your innovative ideas into impactful solutions.

In this intensive learning experience, students will hone their leadership development and communication strategies.

Participants engage in a cumulative design challenge pitch and proposal before a panel of judges with a top prize of $10,000, second-place prize of $7,000 and a third-place prize of $5,000.

Your journey towards engineering a better world starts here.

Coordinated through the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, the Clarke Prize Environmental Design Challenge is a two-day hackathon exclusively for undergraduate engineering students. The event takes place on Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, January 28th, 2024. In this intensive learning experience, students will hone their leadership development and communication skills with an accountability and responsibility for the environment. Participants engage in a cumulative design challenge pitch and proposal before a panel of judges with a top prize of $10,000, second-place prize of $7,000 and a third-place prize of $5,000.

What have past participants said?

“The Clarke Prize Environmental Design Challenge was an amazing experience and opportunity to learn! I loved having to consider transdisciplinary factors such as technical implementation, policy change, behaviour change, and an economic model in our design project and pitch.” (2nd yr, Computer Engineering)

“A learning opportunity for approaching sustainable design, innovative ideation, and teamwork under pressure. My team and I are thankful we got to participate!” (2nd yr, Civil Engineering)

“My experience in the Clarke Prize Environmental Challenges helped me become aware of the many multi-faceted approaches there are to tackling environmental issues in the world around me, which gave me hope for a more sustainable future.” (5th yr., EngSci)

“If you've never done a Hackathon, or you're too nervous to try, there is no better place to start than with the Clarke Prize! The event organizers teach you how to work effectively under pressure and foster a healthy environment throughout the competition." (2nd yr., EngSci)

“The event was a great opportunity to tackle real-world challenges while developing essential skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. It was both engaging and rewarding!” (3rd yr., Materials Engineering)

2025-26 Timeline

Applications Open
- Monday October 27, 9 a.m.
Information Session
- Wednesday November 5, 11am – 12pm (online)
- Thursday November 20, 2pm - 3pm (online)
Applications Close
- Wednesday Dec 3 11:59 p.m.
Design Challenge
- Saturday January 24, 2026 (9am – 5pm)
- Sunday January 25, 2026 (9am – 5pm)
To be eligible to win the Clarke Prize, all members of the team must be present (in-person) for the full duration of the event. Mandatory in-person attendance for all members of your team is: Saturday Jan. 24^th 9am – 5pm and Sunday Jan. 25^th 11am - 5pm.

Info Sessions

If you’re interested in learning more about the Clarke Prize Environmental Design Challenge, we welcome you to attend an online information session. This session is designed to support you in navigating the application process and understanding the Design Challenge, where teams will work together, design innovative solutions and pitch their ideas for a grand prize of $10, 000.

By signing up for an information session, you will discover:

The approach and blueprints of the Design Challenge event.
How to craft and submit your application.
The dynamics of team participation and engagement in the event.
Insights into the intended learning outcomes, skill development, and networking opportunities that await you through your participation.

The information session will be offered twice on the following dates:

Wednesday November 5, 11am — 12pm (online)
Thursday November 20, 2pm – 3pm (online)

A link will be sent to you upon completing the registration form below.

Information Session Registration Form

2025 Highlight Video

Submission Requirements

1. Team or Individual Application Submission:

During the application, please specify whether you are joining as an individual participant or as part of a pre-formed team (4-5 student members/ team). We welcome both individual innovators and existing teams to participate.

If you're an individual participant seeking to join a team, don't worry! We will match you with like-minded individuals who share your passion for design, collaboration and problem solving.

2. Video Component:

As an individual or team, in 2 minutes or less, address both of the following questions:

What does environmental sustainability mean to you as an emerging engineer?
Why is it important for engineers to contribute to environmentally sustainable designs in today’s world?

Submission Requirements: Your short video clip should not exceed 2 minutes in duration.

3. Application Submission:

Once you have decided if you will be submitting an individual application and/or have formed your team for a group submission, please complete the online application form, which includes essential details for your registration. This application will serve as your entry point into the challenge.

We look forward to receiving your submission and helping you embark on this exciting journey to create innovative solutions for a more sustainable future!

Apply Here

2025-2026 Application Deadline: December 3, 2025

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

What’s Next?

Following the application deadline, student teams and individuals will be notified of the successful admission to participate in the event along with next steps for getting prepared to engage in the challenge.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Galley, Leadership Education Specialist, at jennifer.galley@utoronto.ca.

Design Challenge Highlights

This event offers a dynamic platform for students to apply their engineering skills to tackle real-world environmental challenges.

Participants can look forward to honing their problem-solving abilities, gaining hands-on experience, and collaborating with peers and industry experts, all while contributing to innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

Your team could be awarded a first-place prize of $10,000, a second-place prize of $7,000, or a third-place prize of $5,000!

Join us in this transformative journey that equips tomorrow's engineers with the expertise and passion to make a meaningful impact on our environment. See below to explore the events core competencies and learning objectives.

Design Challenge: Key Highlights

Innovative Problem Solving: Develop your knack for thinking outside the box and devising ingenious solutions to intricate environmental puzzles.
Technological Stewardship: Learn to leverage technology as a force for positive environmental change, embracing your responsibility as an aspiring engineering pioneer.
Environmental Champions: Cultivate an unshakable commitment to environmental welfare, championing accountability and responsibility in every endeavor.
Leadership and Communication: Master the art of leading with impact and conveying your ideas with clarity, essential skills for propelling your engineering ambitions.
Cumulative Design Challenge Pitch: Put your skills to the test in a high-stakes design challenge. Your chance to shine, demonstrating your growth as an environmental advocate and a visionary engineer.

Skills Participants Will Develop

Crafting Compelling Visions: Articulate visions that inspire action and change on both individual and collective levels.
Designing for Environmental Stewardship: Innovate solutions that blend engineering brilliance with environmental mindfulness.
Collaboration: Work seamlessly within teams, uniting diverse perspectives to achieve a shared goal.
Evaluating Social Impact: Understand the far-reaching consequences of technology, discerning both positive and unintended effects.
Integrating Socio-Technical Thinking: Infuse your designs with a deep understanding of societal context, paving the way for solutions that resonate.
Driving Positive Change: Elevate your aspirations to contribute to growth and social transformation.
Embracing Holistic Approaches: Master circular, interdependent, and emergent approaches to navigating change in complex systems.

What to Expect

Professional Development (PD) Sessions

Throughout the challenge, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a series of engaging PD sessions, carefully curated to enhance their skills and knowledge in design thinking, problem-solving, sociotechnical systems, communication and so much more. These sessions provide a valuable platform for participants to learn from industry experts and reflect on how this may impact their career aspirations and the world at large.

Judges & Special Guests

Our panel of judges and special guests from industry bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the challenge. They will evaluate the innovative solutions and designs pitched by students, provide feedback/mentorship and award winning team the $10 000 grand prize.

Two-Day Event Structure

The challenge is structured over two exciting days, each with a distinct focus. Day One is dedicated to leadership learning, team formation and foundational content knowledge. On Day Two, participants put their learning into action, working collaboratively to develop and pitch their innovative solutions to the Design Challenge judges.

Location & Time

Join us at the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship (55 St George St.), UofT Campus on Saturday January 24th and Sunday January 25th for this immersive experience.

The 2025-26 Steering Committee:

Prof. Lydia Wilkinson
Prof. Patricia Sheridan
Jennifer Galley
Julietta Saberian
Estelle Oliva-Fisher
Munaam Naveed
Mason Subotich

About Richard M. Clarke

Richard (Dick) Clarke was born and raised in Toronto and graduated in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1954. He earned a Masters in chemical engineering from Yale University and went on to have a distinguished career in manufacturing and the chemical industry in the United States and Canada. Richard served in executive positions in a number of public and private companies, becoming CEO of Celanese Canada based in Montreal. He returned to the US and continued to serve in senior executive and board roles. Richard was married to Jacqueline (Eaton) for over 60 years and had two daughters and three grandchildren.

The Clarke Prize is a reflection of Clarke's confidence in the engineering profession’s ability and responsibility to benefit society and protect the environment, as well as his belief that character, leadership and teamwork are critical elements in engineering practice. The Prize is also a demonstration of Richard’s appreciation of his engineering education at the University of Toronto, and his upbringing in Canada.