Wheelwright Prize 2026

Competition Brief

Intent

The Wheelwright Prize makes a call to the worldwide early-career architects to suggest an ambitious research project. The winner will be the individual who will show the most potential among others and whose research and inquiry in the field of architecture will eventually impact the discourse around it positively.

Purpose

The prize is meant to help with the independent architectural research that would be beyond the scope of the usual practice. The successful candidates will be the ones who will be involved in the research work, not only in the areas of design development but also in the professional circles so that their contributions to the architectural thinking and scholarship are recognized.

Requirements

The applicants are required to possess a professional architecture degree from an accredited institution and to have graduated within the previous 15 years. The entry is to be submitted by an individual and not as a group or firm. The research proposal must present a novel idea, methodology, and possible influence on the body of architectural knowledge. The Americans who are winners will have to do a part of their research overseas.

Jury

The 2026 jury will be officially revealed in January 2026. In the past, the jury members have been architects, educators, and scholars of high international status and capable of judging the quality of the work done in different parts of the world.

Fees

Rewards

Dates

✦ ArchUp Competition Review

The Wheelwright Prize is an initiative of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design which specifically aims at the selection of early‑career architects worldwide. By not announcing the jury details for 2026, the School of Design limits the transparency regarding the evaluation standards; however, the past juries have included architects, educators, and scholars globally, all with diverse experiences. The contest is an amalgamation of professional and academic activities. It gives awards for independent architectural research, which means the prize is not for built projects or promotional purposes. Of the 100,000 USD prize as well as the possible lectures and academic engagements are quite significant and they also are in line with the intensive research effort by the participants. The participants gain through funding, development of their portfolio, and exposure to scholarship, while the practical implementation part is reliant on the individual’s initiative. It is expected that the jury’s expertise will be

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Wheelwright Prize stands out because of its focus on architectural research instead of built projects or conceptual competitions. It is a very generous prize and also stimulating cross‑cultural research making it a golden opportunity for architects who are looking to run deep into academic or theoretical studies. Still, the non-dependent nature of the research, and no guaranteed academic or professional positions mean that the entrants should be very careful about their feasibility and alignment with their career goals. The scarcity of detailed jury information makes it necessary to rely on the prize’s reputation instead of specific evaluation criteria.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences

ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums.
Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide.
ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.

Registration Deadline

Brought to you by the ArchUp Editorial Team

Inspiration starts here. Dive deeper into Architecture, Interior Design, Research, Cities, Design, and cutting-edge Projects on ArchUp