Biodesign Sprint: Microbial Futures

October 1st – December 4th, 2026

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Design Brief

Welcome

Welcome to the Biodesign Sprint, a program powered by Biodesign Challenge to explore the innovation potential of biology, design, and technology. 

The Sprint offers participants from across the globe the chance to envision and create products and processes that help create a future where everyone can thrive.

The 2026 edition of the Biodesign Sprint, Microbial Futures, is a two-month design program and competition that extends an abbreviated version of the Biodesign Challenge to a new cohort of institutions invested in cutting-edge design utilizing microbial processes to imagine new technical possibilities and design applications for planetary and human health.

See the 2025 Winners

See the 2022 Winners

See the 2021 Winners

 
 

Biodesign Sprint: Microbial Futures is a thematic entry point to the world of biodesign where design teams from around the world will develop and present a project that uses microbial processes to imagine new design applications for planetary and human health. Suitable projects include practical solutions and prototypes, bioart responses to microbial life, and speculative designs.

Over the course of two months, design teams will develop projects that illustrate how microbiologically-informed design can be leveraged to address pressing environmental and social issues. Teams enrolled in the program will benefit from access to a curated resource library, special webinars, and access to the broader Biodesign Challenge network. At the end of the program in December, teams will present their ideas before a judging panel composed of international experts and compete for prizes.

What is the Biodesign Sprint?

How it works

Each participating team is asked to create a video and presentation that explains the project and how it responds to the design theme. During the finals, teams share their presentations and participate in a live Q&A with the judging panel.

Projects will be evaluated based on our Judging Criteria, which emphasizes life cycles, feasibility, design considerations, sustainability, and cultural impacts.