ENVISION RESILIENCE CHALLENGE: OPEN CALL FOR FALL 2026 PROGRAMMING
Envision Resilience has opened a call for proposals for the sixth year of its signature program, the Envision Resilience Challenge—a place-based, multi-university design studio that takes place in communities throughout the Northeast.
The 2026 Envision Resilience Lewiston & Auburn Challenge convenes university studios and community partners in a collaborative exploration of climate resilience through design. Selected faculty-led teams will engage students in interdisciplinary, place-based studio work that addresses pressing environmental, social and economic challenges facing Lewiston and Auburn, Maine.
Faculty leading fall 2026 studios in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, environmental science, art and related disciplines are invited to apply. Graduate-level studios will be prioritized though advanced undergraduate studios are also encouraged to apply.
The deadline to apply for the 2026 Envision Resilience Challenge is Friday, March 20.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
Participating studios receive a combination of financial, technical and programmatic support designed to enable full participation in challenge programming and deepen engagement with the community. This includes:
Foundational research and resources
A robust speaker series of leading experts
Connection to local partners and stakeholders established through Envision Resilience
Technical and programmatic support
Financial support for student and faculty travel to site for community engagement
Additional support for materials and research to advance studio outcomes
Access to leading practitioners in the field via reviews
Visibility through exhibitions and publications
Inclusion in the Envision Resilience network
WHO SHOULD APPLY
This opportunity is open to fall 2026, faculty-led university studios across a range of disciplines, including architecture, planning, engineering, environmental science, art and related fields. Multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged, particularly those that bring together complementary perspectives and methods. To ensure a diverse cohort, only one studio per university may be selected.
Applications will be reviewed holistically to assess both alignment and feasibility. Priority will be given to studios that:
Exhibit strong alignment with the Envision Resilience mission, challenge goals, guiding principles and understanding of the multiple considerations involved in the complex environmental and social issues around climate change
Articulate a clear and compelling studio approach, including the proposed budget for financial support
Demonstrate experience with community-engaged or interdisciplinary studios
Have the capacity to participate fully in all program phases and activities
Offer meaningful potential impact and relevance to the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine
Graduate-level studios will be prioritized, though advanced undergraduate studios are also encouraged to apply
We encourage those with questions to reach out via email at communications@envisionresilience.org.