iF Design announces official partnership with WDC Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 and brings international design players to the city

iF Design announces that this year’s official awards ceremony for the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD 2026 will take place in the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. The festive ceremony will be held on 11 June 2026, at Westhafen Pier 1 and will be the highlight of a two-day program. Around 300 design students from over 20 countries are expected in Frankfurt to present their ideas and concepts and network with the Frankfurt design scene. In addition, international design players who have supported the young talent award for many years will also be coming to Frankfurt. This international design highlight is being organized as part of the new partnership between iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover and WDC Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. Last year, the winners of this competition were celebrated at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and before that at the Triennale in Milan.

With over 7,000 ideas and concepts submitted by students from more than 70 countries, the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD is one of the most important platforms for young design talent and the promotion of innovative design solutions that address the most pressing challenges of our time. The competition categories correspond to the United Nations’ sustainability goals. Registration for this year’s award is free of charge until 28 January 2026. The prize money for the best works is EUR 50,000.

The two-day supporting program in Frankfurt offers guests the opportunity to get to know the city’s creative scene, participate in innovation workshops, and network internationally. The iF Design Foundation, the sole shareholder of iF International Forum Design GmbH, will offer a half-day workshop based on its newly published playbook “Designing Design Education.” The awards ceremony at Westhafen Pier 1 is the highlight of the event.

Uwe Cremering, Managing Director of iF Design, is looking forward to the premiere in Frankfurt: “Frankfurt, as World Design Capital 2026, is the ideal place to honor the best young designers from around the world. The city stands for innovation, diversity, and international networking – values that also characterize the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD. Together with our partners, we are sending a strong signal for the promotion of young talent and the future of design.”

Carolina Romahn, Managing Director of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026, is enthusiastic about iF Design’s commitment: “We are very pleased to welcome iF Design to Frankfurt RheinMain for the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD ceremony. This international event enriches our program and strengthens the region’s role as a center for creative exchange and innovation. The young talents bring new perspectives and inspiration to our region – we are very much looking forward to that.”

iF Design has been an active member of the international design scene since 1953 and is committed to the development of excellent design. The annual iF DESIGN AWARD for companies and designers is one of the most prestigious awards worldwide. Every year, almost 11,000 products and projects from around 70 countries are submitted. With the iF DESIGN STUDENT AWARD, for which around 7,000 concepts are submitted each year, iF Design is also committed to promoting and supporting young talent. The circle is completed by the iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE, which supports social projects and initiatives worldwide with funding of EUR 100,000.