CIRT Competition

Each year, ACE Mentor Student teams are eligible to participate in the annual CIRT National Design and Construction Competition. The Competition is funded, coordinated, and judged by Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT) for ACE Mentor Affiliate team entries.

The Competition presents three real-world project challenges to judge the ability of the students to make reasoned, coherent, clear presentations on their team’s design and construction approaches that are realistic and responsive to the project’s objectives within time, budget, constructability constraints, etc. The competition challenges students to develop innovative solutions , blending architecture, engineering, and construction management into one exciting project.

The Competition program was developed in order to introduce additional ways for students to develop valuable skills, and help them gain even more recognition and connection with professionals in the industry. All Submissions are judged and the top finalists are picked for each of the three challenges. The top teams are invited to Washington, DC to present their project live in front of the CIRT panel of judges.

The 2027 CIRT National Design + Construction Competition Is Here!

A new year of ideas, innovation, and opportunity begins today with the launch of the 2027 CIRT National Design + Construction Competition, presented by the Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT) in partnership with the ACE Mentor Program of America.

CHALLENGES
For 2027, teams can choose from three challenges reflecting important questions and opportunities facing the built environment. Each challenge asks teams to consider not only what they would design or build, but how and why their solution could work in the real world—including functionality, materials, constructability, cost and community impact.

• Rising Tide Regenerative Coastal Multi-Family Housing
• Forgotten Infrastructure Adaptive Reuse + Community Transformation
• Design + Construction Innovation Center Learning, Technology + Industry Collaboration

SIX FINALIST TEAMS will be invited to Washington DC, and up to THREE PRESENTERS PER TEAM will have the opportunity to present to industry professionals
One of the biggest changes for 2027 expands what has long been one of the most valuable parts of the CIRT Competition: the opportunity for students to present their work in person to industry leaders in Washington, D.C. This spring, six DC Finalist teams will be invited to Washington D.C., two from each challenge, each allowed up to 3 presenters on stage. The six teams will participate in a Preliminary Presentation Round, competing head-to-head against the other finalist in their challenge category. Jurors will select one team from each challenge to advance, resulting in three teams presenting in the Final Presentation Round before CIRT members and industry leaders.
The expanded format gives twice as many teams the opportunity to experience Washington, present and defend months of work before professionals, and make meaningful connections with leaders across architecture, engineering, construction and design—while preserving the excitement of a three-team national final.

TEAM REQUIREMENTS
Competition entries must be submitted by ACE teams registered and marked active in the ACE Mentor Program of America database and consist of at least three students. Teams of 8-10 students are recommended to encourage meaningful collaboration and participation. There is no maximum number of students who may participate in developing a competition entry; however, teams advancing to Washington, D.C. are limited to an official traveling team of 10 total people, including students and mentors/chaperones.