The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) is now accepting entries for the 2027 CFSEI Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design.
The mission of the Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design is to promote higher education in cold-formed steel (CFS) structural design and to encourage students to use creative thinking skills to solve engineering problems.
Enter the 2027 CFSEI Student Competition
Michael Keagan discusses his award-winning project during a presentation at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Keagan was recognized as a winner of the 2026 CFSEI Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design.
Eligibility
The 2027 CFS Design Competition is open to all full-time students at all levels. Students can work on the project individually or within a team.
Schedule
- November 1, 2026: Intent to Participate deadline — access to CFS Designer software will be provided and mentors assigned as soon as possible (learn how to become a mentor)
- January 31, 2027: Entry Submission deadline
CFS Competition Problem Statement
For decades, a small wood-framed ice shanty served anglers and outdoor enthusiasts on the frozen waters of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. The structure became a familiar landmark during the annual sturgeon spearing season and winter recreation events. Unfortunately, the aging wood structure was recently destroyed by a fire, leaving the community without a gathering shelter on the ice.
To replace this loss, the community is seeking an innovative, durable, and transportable replacement that highlights the advantages of cold-formed steel (CFS) construction. The new ice shanty must provide a safe, weather-resistant shelter while demonstrating the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of CFS framing systems.
Student teams are challenged to design a modern ice shanty for three occupants using CFS that can be transported to and from the lake on a trailer and withstand Wisconsin’s demanding winter environment.
Awards
- 1st place: $2,000 USD, award plaque, 2027 Expo Registration and 2027 CFSEI Expo Stipend
- 2nd place: $1,500 USD, award plaque, 2027 Expo Registration
- 3rd place: $1,000 USD, award plaque, 2027 Expo Registration
The winning designs will be recognized and exhibited on appropriate platforms such as professional conferences, websites and newsletters.
Enter the 2027 CFSEI Student Competition
Click the above button to learn more about the design considerations, obtain an application form and see where to submit your ‘Intent to Participate’ document (the last page of the application form).
CFSEI Student Competition Seeks Mentors
The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) is seeking mentors for the 2027 CFSEI Student Competition on cold-formed steel (CFS) design. Mentors must be willing to support the competition by dedicating time to preparation, meetings, and review sessions as needed.
Applications are due October 2, 2026 – learn more.
Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute
The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) comprises hundreds of structural engineers and other design professionals. Together, they are finding a better way to produce safe and efficient cold-formed steel (CFS) designs for commercial and residential structures. CFSEI members develop industry standards and design methods. CFSEI issues technical bulletins, organizes seminars and provides online training so that engineers and design professionals can improve their knowledge and skills. CFSEI is part of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) family. For more information, visit www.cfsei.org.
Additional Resources
- Abstracts Due for 2027 CFSEI Expo, Emerging Technologies Forum and Future Webinars (Oct. 15)
- CFSEI Announces Winners of 2026 Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design
- CFSEI Announces Winners of 2026 Expo Stipend Program