Six dates between
you and the final.

This is the entry round. Free.

Form your team (1–5 members), pick a category, pick one of the eight design tracks, and submit a short concept brief. No prototype required at this stage. You won't pay anything until your idea is selected.

• Form a team of 1–5 and name a team leader
• Pick a category — Schools / Universities & TVET / Open
• Pick one of the 8 design tracks
• Write a 300–500 word concept brief
• Prepare 3 visuals — sketches, renders or storyboard
• Submit on JotForm before 30 Jun 2026, 23:59 MYT

Don't refresh your email. We'll find you.

The technical panel reviews every concept brief for fit with the chosen category and track, the strength of the idea, and alignment with this year's theme — Designing Human-Centred Futures. You'll receive a Notification Letter on 8 July if you've passed.

• Watch your team-leader email inbox (and spam folder)
• Confirm your team's contact details are still current
• Start sketching out your video plan in case you advance

Lock in your spot.

If you've been selected, you have one week to pay your registration fee and lock in your slot. Once we verify the payment, the Secretariat issues your official Letter of Acceptance — that's your green light to start the quarter-final video.

• Schools: RM 100 per team
• Bank transfer to the official ErgoLympic account (details in your Notification Letter)
• Email payment proof to the Secretariat
• Receive Letter of Acceptance within 48 hours

• Universities & TVET: RM 200 per team (10% off if your institution submits 3+ teams)
• Bank transfer to the official ErgoLympic account
• Email payment proof to the Secretariat
• Receive Letter of Acceptance within 48 hours

• Open / Industry & Startups: RM 350 per team / USD 80 international
• Bank transfer or card payment via the link in your Notification Letter
• Email tax invoice request if needed
• Receive Letter of Acceptance within 48 hours

• Pick your payment method based on your category (filter the panel above)
• Pay within 7 days of receiving your Notification Letter
• Email payment proof to the Secretariat
• Receive Letter of Acceptance within 48 hours

3–4 minutes. No more.

Your first head-to-head round. The jury watches your video and decides who advances to the semi-final. Keep it tight — the strongest videos answer four questions clearly: what is it, who is it for, why is it ergonomic, and what's the impact.

• Write a tight 3–4 min script around four beats: design, problem, ergonomic application, impact
• Film with a phone or DSLR — vertical or horizontal both work, just don't mix
• Add captions / subtitles in English
• Export 1080p, MP4, under 200MB
• Upload to YouTube (unlisted) or Google Drive — share link via the JotForm submission
• Submit before 31 Jul 2026, 23:59 MYT

Three artefacts. One story.

A full design statement, a digital poster and a longer pitching video. There are also live online review sessions with the jury and mentor clinics — you'll get coaching here that genuinely changes your work, so block the time. Grand finalists are announced 9 September.

• Write a full abstract / design statement (max 800 words)
• Design a digital poster (A1, PDF, English)
• Film a 3–5 minute pitch video — sharper, more confident than the QF cut
• Attend at least one webinar / mentor clinic (15 Aug – 5 Sep)
• Upload all three artefacts via the secured submission link
• Be online and available for live review on your assigned day

The day everything is for.

Live presentation, prototype demo, jury Q&A, exhibition booth, and — for selected teams — a pitching session in front of URIIS 2026 industry partners and investors. Awards ceremony at 17:30. Plan to arrive in Kuala Lumpur the day before; finalists from outside Malaysia get help with logistics from the Hospitality Unit.

• Confirm finalist attendance & team logistics with the Secretariat
• Bring your prototype / mock-up — or ship it ahead
• Practice the live pitch (8 min + 5 min Q&A)
• Prepare your booth display — A1 poster, demo, handout
• Book travel + accommodation (international finalists: contact Hospitality)
• Arrive at WTCKL by 09:00 MYT on 21 Sep · awards at 17:30