New architecture and design competitions: UIA Gold Medal & Triennial Prizes, Steedman Fellowship, Steel Competition, and Design for Aging Competition

For this week's curated picks of architecture and design competitions listed on Bustler, we are featuring four calls seeking to recognize outstanding architectural achievement by an individual or a group of architects, research proposals that focus on architecture's role in producing collective forms/forums, student-led concepts that explore the use of steel as a primary structural material, and student-driven design proposals for an innovative intergenerational senior living space.

For the complete directory of newly listed competitions, click here.

2026 UIA Gold Medal & Triennial Prizes
Registration/Submission Deadline: Thursday, September 25, 2025

"The UIA Gold Medal is the most prestigious honour awarded to an architect by fellow architects. Established in 1984, it recognises outstanding architectural achievement by an individual or a group of architects, taking into account the full scope of a body of work developed over an extended period. The six UIA prizes celebrate excellence in specific areas of architecture, including urban planning, innovation, architectural writing and education, improvement of living conditions and community structures, and solutions aimed at supporting the world’s most impoverished populations."

James Harrison Steedman Fellowship in Architecture 2026: Collective Form/Forums
Registration Deadline: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Submission Deadline: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

"The Steedman 2026 jury seeks mindful research proposals on architecture’s role in producing collective forms/ forums that catalyze a more politically engaged discipline and citizenry. The award for the 2026 winning proposal will be $100,000."

2026 Steel Competition
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

"Administered by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the program is intended to challenge undergraduate and graduate students, working individually or in teams, to explore a variety of design issues related to the use of steel in design and construction. Steel must be used as the primary structural material and contain at least one space that requires a long-span steel structure, with special emphasis placed on innovation in steel design."

2026 Design for Aging Competition
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

"As the global aging population continues to grow, sustainability and inclusivity are key considerations. An Intergenerational Union challenges students to develop innovative and integrated university-affiliated living solutions that are environmentally-sustainable, aging-supportive, and promote meaningful connections between generations. Submissions should promote the emotional and physical health of each user’s generation by integrating wellness, biophilic elements, environmentally responsible strategies and materials, and design features that support the diverse needs of individuals of all ages and abilities."

Would you like to contribute competitions, award programs, or calls for submissions that aren't listed on Bustler yet? Send them directly to our team to review. We may include them in our next roundup.