For student "makers" who have RE and AT ideas
SDC Finalist Resource Page
The RESNA Student Design Challenge (SDC) is an annual competition that showcases creative and innovative assistive technology designs that help people with disabilities function more independently. Student teams represent a wide variety of disciplines including mechanical, electrical, and biomedical engineering; computer information science; architecture; and physical and occupational therapy. Entries are judged on originality, quality of design, and usefulness to persons with disabilities. SDC winners have frequently moved on to become leaders in the field of assistive technology. Only undergraduate and masters level graduate students currently enrolled in a college or university are eligible to apply.
In an effort to respond to the way COVID-19 has affected all learning environments, RESNA Student Design Challenge would like to encourage student groups to submit designs with or without a physical product (final or prototype). We encourage submissions of 3D models, drawings, and/or simulations. This has been a challenging year for all of us adapting to meeting our responsibilities in different ways, and we want to ensure that we appropriately create space for you to share your work. We look forward to seeing many of your innovative designs!
The submission window for the 2023 SDC is now closed. Please check back in January 2024 for information on next year's SDC.
PRIZES
- Finalist teams win a free, one-year student membership to RESNA.
- Students showcase their designs to an international audience at the conference, gaining access to contacts and connections to start a career in assistive technology.
- Cash prizes and more awarded to top designs.
- All entries are posted and promoted on the website and through social media.
CASH PRIZES
- First place: $1,000
- Second place: $700
- Third Place: $300
Student Programs Sponsor:

To visit the Student Design Challenge's website archive and Read about our past winners, visit...
For questions about the Student Design Challenge, contact the RESNA 2023 Conference Committee’s Student Design Committee Chair
For additional RESNA 2023 Conference questions, contact info@resna.org