WERC GUIDELINES
Contact
New to the Contest?
Click below to view our page dedicated to helping new teams get a head start at the contest. We include:
- philosophy of the contest
- suggested timelines
- what the judges are looking for, etc.
The Team Manual. Your one-stop source for:
- Policies, Rubrics, Reports, Presentations, ESP
- Flash Pitch
- Helpful hints
The 2026 Team Manual will supersede any previous manuals.
2026 Team Success Guide
Advisor Manual
A brief introduction to the role of the faculty advisor, designed for first-time faculty includes:
- Timelines
- Role of Advisors and Co-Advisors
- Steps for registering teams
- Day-by-day advisor duties at the contest.
The 2026 Advisor Manual will supersede any previous manuals. It will be published in late October. Until then, please refer to the 2025 Advisor Manual for a general understanding of your role at the contest.
Flash Pitch Guidelines
Find information needed to prepare the Flash Pitch that is not included in the TEAM manual, including:
- PowerPoint template
- Flash Pitch updates
- PowerPoint submission instructions
FAQs
FAQs for each task are posted on the 2023 Tasks/FAQs page
Teams should check FAQs weekly, as updates are often made to tasks.
Teams are responsible for all information posted in the FAQs.
Sample Papers
Below are papers written by teams from 4 universities that recently won first place. Other factors affected their overall score; do not expect each paper to be a perfect example of the best paper, but look at them for overall quality and characteristics.
Teams invited after the contest to publish in IEEE Xplore will use the IEEE template.
Safety
The ESP applies to all activities that take place in Las Cruces during the April contest.
When at their home university, teams should follow their institution’s laboratory safety policies.
2026 Orientation Meetings:
WERC will hold team orientation meetings during Fall 2026.
Once you notify us of intent to participate, we will poll your team leader to schedule orientation sessions that will be open to all teams.
Award Categories
Each year, the WERC Design Contest and its sponsors award more than $25,000 in prizes in the following categories. Amounts shown are minimum amounts and may increase, according to funding.
Task awards (First, Second, Third Place; minimum amounts: $2500-$1000-$500, respectively).
The number of awards will depend on the number of entries in each task.
Awards are based on the judging rubric for written, oral, poster, and bench-scale components.
Freeport-McMoRan Innovation in Sustainability Award ($2500)
The selection process centers primarily on the bench-scale demonstrations and identifies the final product or solution that best contributes to sustainability.
WERC Resources Center Pollution Prevention/Energy Efficiency Award ($500)
Recognizes the team that best utilizes the concepts of P2 (pollution prevention) and E2 (energy efficiency) in their solution. Primary considerations: Reduction/elimination of waste, greenhouse gases, hazardous materials; Conservation of water and air; utilization of sustainable materials; energy efficiency.
Judges’ Choice Award ($500)
Peer Award ($250). Voted by all students who participate in the contest.
Terry McManus Outstanding Student Award. (Minimum: $500, according to funding).
All participating students are eligible for the Award. Recipients chosen based on letter from Faculty Advisor.
Flash Talk competition ($1000-$750-$500-$250). Separate team of judges.