Submit Your 3D Printing Project for a Chance to Win $500 from 3D Hubs’ Student Grant 2017

3D Hubs has become more than just a network of 3D printers. It’s become a trusted source of consumer reporting for the 3D printing industry, a facilitator of social engagement, and lately, a resource for students. Last year, the company launched their Student Program, giving students 25% off 3D prints, and now 3D Hubs is introducing the 3D Hubs Student Grant 2017. The company has made it clear that they place a great deal of value on students as a large part of the future of the 3D printing industry, and they’re backing up their commitment to education by offering $500 to help three college students pursue their 3D printing projects.

“Some of the most exciting developments that happen in engineering and design are in the classrooms of universities around the world,” Filemon Schoffer, 3D Hubs CMO, tells 3DPrint.com. “This grant aims to give those projects a platform for the exposure they deserve whilst providing support to the students behind them.”

The company is accepting applications, beginning today, for three categories: engineering, product design and architecture. Submit your project, whether it’s a new idea or something you’ve already been working on, to be assessed for the “Best Use of 3D Printing” in each category. One winner in each field will receive $500 in cash, as well as an honorable mention from 3DHubs co-founder Brian Garret on LinkedIn and a professional photo shoot of their product for their portfolio.

“Students are the engineers and designers of the future,” says Garret. “With this Grant, as well as our existing student program providing 25% off, we aim to give students a strong foundation in digital manufacturing early on to give them a competitive edge in their future careers.”

Applications will be accepted until June 30, and the winners will be announced on July 15. To apply, you’ll need to sign up for a 3D Hubs Student Account with a university email address, then select the category your project falls into. The company is looking, particularly, for creative, boundary-pushing ideas that leverage 3D printing in STEAM fields to solve problems.

During the months of April, May and June, 3D Hubs will be showcasing some of the best submissions on Instagram. As a few examples of the kind of innovation that 3D Hubs is looking for in the grant, check out the stories of:

• Mark Thielen, a PhD candidate at the Technical University of Eindhoven, who is using 3D Hubs to design and 3D print realistic training models for neonatal surgical procedures
• The TU Delft Formula Student Team, which 3D printed several components of its successful race car using 3D Hubs. The team’s chief engineer, Jonas Holtermann, also owns and operates his own 3D Hub.
• Students at the University of Colorado Boulder, who are 3D printing tactile picture books for visually impaired children

3D Hubs isn’t applying any tight restrictions or guidelines on projects that can be submitted, and hasn’t included any strict judging criteria, other than the three categories of engineering, product design and architecture. Just use your imagination, be creative, and think about ways that you can use 3D printing to positively influence the world or your own life, whether that’s through a medical device, a learning tool, or anything else that can be 3D printed. You can apply for the Student Grant 2017 here. Discuss in the 3D Hubs forum at 3DPB.com.