Tag Archives: art

GLOBAL YOUTH DESIGN CHALLENGE

Application Deadline:  September 30, 2026

LOCATION: China

The Global Youth Design Challenge (GYDC) officially launches. The award is seeking the next path of design through “Less, But Better.” In an era where global design is increasingly shaped by sustainability and long-term thinking, design is no longer confined to questions of function and form. Instead, it is becoming a critical tool for responding to social issues and imagining future ways of living. The competition is now officially open for global submissions.

ELIGIBILITY:

The challenge aims to support the next generation of young designers worldwide, encourage dialogue and integration between Eastern and Western aesthetics, and explore how design can move beyond conceptual expression into meaningful social transformation.

Borderless Coexistence Award: This category recognizes visionary and forward-looking design proposals capable of integrating cultural expression with sustainable thinking.

Emerging Designer Award: Open to designers under the age of 35. Submitted works are not restricted by design discipline but should demonstrate a complete design logic, strong expressive ability, and clear creative direction.

Essence Object Award: This category focuses on realizable product and packaging design proposals related to the beauty and lifestyle industry.

The award emphasizes manufacturability, sustainability, and commercial transformation, encouraging design solutions that can evolve from concept into real products and systems.

The award seeks to identify emerging talents with exceptional creative potential and support their future professional development on a broader international stage.

Award Description: This category recognizes visionary and forward-looking design proposals capable of integrating cultural expression with sustainable thinking.

Submission Categories

Conceptual products

Design proposals

System design

Digital experiences

Installation-based works

Suggested Creative Directions

Reconstructing the relationship between technology and people
(Generative design, digital experience, AI interaction)

Reconstructing the relationship between humans and nature
(Material circulation, ecological design, environmental awareness)

Reconstructing the relationship between culture and contemporary design (Translation of Eastern aesthetics, reinterpretation of traditional craftsmanship)

BENEFIT:

Awards & Benefits

Borderless Coexistence Award
1 Winner
9,200 USD (before tax)

Emerging Designer Award
4 Winners
3,000 USD each (before tax)

Essence Object Award
3 Winners
3,000 USD each (before tax)

Additional Prototype Support
Beyond the official prize structure, an additional USD 9,200 special support fund will be provided by Pechoin to support prototyping and refinement for shortlisted finalist projects.

This support is intended to help outstanding concepts move closer toward real-world production and industrial application through material testing, structural optimization, and production development.

APPLY

ICGEB ARTURO FALASCHI SHORT-TERM PHD FELLOWSHIPS – SEPTEMBER 2026

Application Deadline: 14 August 2026, 23:59 CET – Fellowship Expression of Interest 30 September 2026, 23:59 CET – Fellowship Full Application

LOCATION: Multiple Regions

ICGEB offers Short-term fellowships for Pre-doctoral studies in ICGEB Component laboratories to fund collaborative research between scientists from ICGEB Member States and research groups at ICGEB laboratories in Trieste, Italy, New Delhi, India and Cape Town, South Africa, to facilitate access to the latest research techniques and to strengthen capacity building.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must be nationals of an ICGEB Member State and may not apply for fellowships to be undertaken in their country of origin, unless working abroad at the time of application.

Degree requirements: Applicants for ICGEB Trieste and Cape Town should hold a BSc (Honours) degree; applicants for ICGEB New Delhi should hold an MSc degree.

Candidates must have a good working knowledge of the English language, supported by a proficiency certificate (TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate, or equivalent). This document is not required when English is the medium of instruction; however, the university must provide an official certificate attesting to this.

Documents to be uploaded:

Please note that you will be requested to upload the following documents (PDF files):
Your full CV
A valid identification document (passport or identity card). Recommended passport validity should be at least 12 months.
English Certificate (TOEFL, Cambridge, or similar). This document is not required when English is the medium of instruction; however, the university must provide an official certificate attesting to this.

The ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee will evaluate complete applications received by the closing date. Both successful and unsuccessful candidates will be notified of the outcome by e-mail only. Please note that the selection might take several weeks, depending on the number of applications received. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback to all applicants at the end of the selection process.

The main criteria for selection include the scientific excellence of the project, the qualities of the candidate’s CV, and the potential benefit for the home country.

BENEFIT:

Financial support:

Duration: 1-12 months
Monthly stipend: Trieste (Italy): €1,500, New Delhi (India): US$1,122, Cape Town (South Africa): ZAR 16,500.

Travel: The fellowship includes provision for travel expenses from the participant’s home country to the ICGEB lab at the beginning of the fellowship and a return travel provision upon completion of the fellowship.

Medical health insurance coverage is provided for the duration of the fellowship.

Visa/permit of stay application and renewal costs are reimbursed.

ICGEB makes no financial provision, nor can it provide administrative support for family members of participants in the programme.

Accommodation:

ICGEB Trieste: There is no housing service or accommodation facility. Fellows are provided with a list of possible contacts that offer housing options in Trieste.

ICGEB New Delhi: A guest house is run on campus, on a twin-share basis, for a nominal rate.

ICGEB Cape Town: Accommodation support is provided to fellows. Arrangements are agreed upon before arrival.

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