Investing in the Experience: A Meaningful Update to Competition Prizes
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
At the heart of the CIRT National Design + Construction Competition is an experience that goes far beyond prize money. Year after year, students tell us that the most powerful part of the program isn’t the final award — it’s the opportunity to travel to Washington, DC, stand in front of industry leaders, and present their ideas in a real-world professional setting.
After listening closely to teams and mentors, we recognized something important: while previous prize awards were generous, the funds didn’t always directly benefit the students who earned them. What students valued most was the chance to be in the room — to present, to connect, and to see themselves as future professionals.
In response, we’ve restructured our awards to better align with that impact. We are increasing the travel stipend to $3,000 for each team to travel to Washington DC, ensuring more equitable access to the national finals and reducing financial barriers for students and mentors. At the same time, we are adjusting the final prize amounts to $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second, and $1,000 for third; and runner-up prizes to $750 for first runner-up, and $500 for second runner-up.
We are excited to better support teams to come and enjoy this transformative experience. As a 2024 CIRT Competition presenter shared:
Presenting in DC was a big confidence boost. Speaking in front of industry leaders and my peers forced me to communicate my ideas clearly, stay composed, and stand by our work. It made later professional environment […] feel less intimidating and more exciting.
The whole team works to prepare for the moment they get to stand on the stage and present their work to leading design and construction executives. It is a unique opportunity, exclusive to the CIRT Competition, and builds confidence, sharpens professional skills, and creates connections that can shape future careers.
The CIRT Competition has always been about supporting the next generation of leaders. We hope that this strengthened support for the Washington, D.C. experience creates an even more meaningful impact for students.
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