Support our Design Challenges

Every year, we run design challenges reaching thousands of students worldwide, such as the Engineering for People Design Challenge!

By registering as a volunteer, you will receive email alerts to apply for opportunities as we are recruiting. Most of our opportunities are carried out virtually and are open to volunteers anywhere in the world.

Register as a volunteer

Design reviewers

Our design reviewers review the innovative design concepts submitted for the Engineering for People Design Challenge, providing professional written feedback to the student teams.

When: November and May.
Time commitment: Upwards of 3 hours for the whole reviewer period, with each submission taking roughly 90 minutes to review. Reviewers are able to select the number of teams that they are happy to provide feedback to.

Shortlisting judges

Shortlisting judges help decide which teams progress to the final round of our design challenges, where entries are evaluated by a panel of industry leaders.

Virtual challenges (e.g. Reshaping Transport): Judges review team designs ahead of a virtual deliberation session with the judging panel. This may include listening to student pitches.
Challenges with in-person Grand Finals (e.g. Engineering for People): Judges review designs ahead of an in-person event (held in the UK) where they will listen to team pitches before deliberating with fellow judges.

Time commitment: Roughly 5 hours over the course of 2 weeks to review the design concepts and attend a deliberation session with the judging panel. For in-person Grand Finals, judges are invited (but not obliged) to stay for the full event.

Why volunteer with us?

Feedback and independent research has shown that our volunteers not only enjoy volunteering with us, but also gain valuable skills and expertise. Many report:

A renewed understanding of people-centred, sustainable engineering
Awareness of social, economic, and environmental impacts
Skills in communication, mentorship, and cross-cultural collaboration

“I think every person who’s worked in engineering for a few years should come back and be reminded of that incredible passion that [the students] bring and their determination to solve the problems that we’re facing as a society.”

Hiba Khan, Chartered Civil Engineer at Mott MacDonald

"This was really a great opportunity to work with students to mould the future generation of innovation. I would recommend this to any engineer that wants to help younger engineers and students develop their ideas and abilities."

Engineering for People Design Challenge reviewer

"I left the experience genuinely inspired by the talent and commitment shown by the next generation of engineers. It’s clear that the future of our profession is in very capable hands, and initiatives like Engineers Without Borders' play a vital role in nurturing, inspiring, and mentoring these emerging engineers."

Anna Tsartsari, BE DESIGN Group