FAQs - i-SUN Challenge

1. Who is eligible to participate in the ISA-iSUN Design Challenge?

The Challenge is open to students pursuing Bachelor's or Master's programmes in Architecture and Engineering, as well as Master's students in Sustainable Design.

2. I recently graduated (or completed my academic requirements but my convocation is later), can I still participate?

No. The Challenge is exclusively open to students currently pursuing Bachelor's or Master's programmes in Engineering and Architecture. Please see the eligibility guidelines for full details.

3. Can a team include students from different universities or organisations?

No. All students on a team must belong to the same institution, since registration is done on behalf of the institution.

4. Do faculty members and advisory experts need to be practicing architects?

Faculty members must be affiliated with the participating institution. Advisory experts should be industry professionals, such as practising architects or solar energy specialists.

5. Which building codes and safety regulations should we follow: the site's local codes or our institution's location local codes?

Participants should refer to the applicable building codes and safety regulations of the site they select for their design (i.e., the Maldives, Mauritius, or Fiji), not their home institution's regulations.

6. Is there an honorarium for teams shortlisted for Phase 2?

The competition awards/honorarium are specifically for the overall winners across all three sites. Full details on recognitions are available on the website.

7. Are there any sessions to help us understand the brief before we register?

Yes. Global Induction Sessions are being held between 14-22 September 2026, covering the challenge brief, design sites, evaluation criteria, and submission process. Sessions are scheduled across multiple time zones. Register here: Induction Session Registration.

8. Where do we register for the Design Challenge?

You can register here: Design Challenge Registration.