How to Enter


The deadline for the 2013 Buckminster Fuller Challenge has passed!
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"The application process really allowed for the distillation and synthesis, as well as the focus of my ideas and my research on environmental restoration and economic transformation in the context of Appalachia"

- John Todd, Ocean Arks International and 2008 Challenge Winner


Download and print the following documents to help you through the application process:

  • 2013 Call for Proposals (legal size)
  • 2013 Application Questions
  • Instructions on the online application process.
  • Terms and Conditions that you will need to accept in your application process.


    • Read + Review:

  • Make sure you meet the ELIGIBILITY requirements.
  • Review the CRITERIA and read through some further resources to get familiar with what we're looking for.
  • Skim the selection process and timeline to get yourself familiar with this cycle.
  • Carefully follow these INSTRUCTIONS.
  • FAQs - Reading through the frequently asked questions might help answer your questions before contacting BFI.



    • BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS

    Step 1: Review the Online Application Template - Read through the entire online template below prior to opening an account and paying the non-refundable processing fee and entering the Challenge.

    Step 2: Review the Terms and Conditions Agreement - As a step in the entry process, you are required to sign a Terms and Conditions agreement. Please preview this document and make sure that you can accept its terms before submitting your non-refundable entry fee.

    Step 3: OPEN AN ACCOUNT - Once you're familiar with the process, you should be ready to open an account, pay the fee, and begin to fill out your application starting March 1st, EST. Deadline is April 12th, 2013, 5 pm EST. We highly recommend that you first print out the INSTRUCTIONS to help you through this process.

    Step 4: Submit Fee - All participants (individuals or team leaders) in The Buckminster Fuller Challenge are required to submit a non-refundable US $100 entry fee. A discounted entry fee of $50 is available for students, academics (employees at a university or research institution), people entering on behalf of a registered non-profit, and financially contributing members of the Buckminster Fuller Institute. Falsely choosing this reduced entry fee could lead to disqualification.

    Once you have successfully submitted your processing fee, there will be a link to take you back to the Challenge website and you will be prompted to begin your application. All applications must be completed online via this website, we will not accept applications via postal mail or email.

    Best of Luck!

    IMPORTANT NOTES IN PREPARING TO FILL OUR THE APPLICATION

  • The application will not save unless you have at least one character in every required field. So start by putting an X in each box before saving a draft.
  • Do not wait until the last day to enter. At minimum, give yourself at least a week to prepare your answers and more than a day to enter the online application. The online application program will automatically shut off at 5pm on Friday, April 12, 2013, Eastern Standard Time. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
  • Print the downloadable information above to use as a reference while you work.
  • We strongly recommend that you first complete the answers to the application in a word document then cut and paste your answers once online in case something should happen to your application. Keep the word document of your application answers for your records.



    • Having Trouble Applying?

  • Try Troubleshooting first.
  • Customer support for the application process will be M-F from 10am-5pm Eastern Standard Time except for standard holidays.