The SAMPE Student Additive Manufacturing Competition provides an opportunity for students to learn and expand their abilities in additive manufacturing and engineering design.
Objective
Turn materials science theory into high-performance reality
The SAMPE Student Additive Manufacturing Competition challenges you to turn materials science theory into high-performance reality. Students design and optimize a 3D-printed structural column that is physically tested to failure at SAMPE Seattle 2026, evaluating strength-to-weight efficiency, manufacturability, and engineering judgment. The objective is simple and powerful: apply additive manufacturing principles, materials behavior, and structural mechanics to solve a real engineering problem under real constraints.
Benefits of Participation
What you'll gain from this competition
Participating students gain hands-on experience that goes far beyond the classroom—designing for load, failure, and manufacturability while receiving feedback from industry experts at companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Shimadzu. You'll build a portfolio-ready project, compete for cash awards, and showcase your work on a global stage alongside professionals shaping the future of advanced manufacturing. It's a rare opportunity to test your ideas, grow your network, and prove your engineering skills where they matter most.
Prizes
Cash prizes for outstanding engineering performance
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First Place
$500
Second Place
$300
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Third Place
$200
Contest Sponsors
Questions?
Need help with your application? Contact SAMPE Awards at awards@sampe.org or by phone at +1.626.521.9460