The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) is seeking mentors for the 2026 CFSEI Student Competition on cold-formed steel (CFS) design. The competition encourages students to apply their creative thinking skills to solve engineering problems.
Competition Details
- August 2025: Competition launched
- October 3, 2025: Mentor applications due
- November 1, 2025: Students must submit their Intent to Participate documents
- January 31, 2026: Students’ design submissions due
Mentor Qualifications
Professional Experience and Expertise
- Industry Knowledge: Extensive experience in cold-formed steel design, including practical application and theoretical understanding
- Project Experience: Involvement in relevant projects that utilize cold-formed steel in design and construction
Interpersonal Skills
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to explain complex concepts clearly
- Active Listening: Ability to listen to students’ ideas and concerns, providing thoughtful feedback
- Patience and Supportiveness: Patience in guiding students through their learning and project development process
Commitment and Availability
Mentors must be willing to support the competition by dedicating time to preparation, meetings, and review sessions as needed.
Application Process
- Submit application by Friday, October 3, 2025
- By submitting application, you are confirming your commitment to the student competition and adherence to these mentor guidelines
- Mentors will be selected based on proximity to student
- Selected mentors will be notified no later than November 15, 2025
Cold-Formed Steel Engineers InstituteThe Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) comprises hundreds of structural engineers and other design professionals who are finding a better way to produce safe and efficient designs for commercial and residential structures with cold-formed steel.
CFSEI members work together to develop and evolve industry standards and design methods, produce and issue technical bulletins, and provide seminars and online training to improve the knowledge and skills base of engineers and design professionals. For more information, visit www.cfsei.org.
CFSEI is part of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) family.
Additional Resources
- CFSEI Seeks Entries for 2026 Student Competition on CFS Design, Intent to Participate Due by Nov. 1
- Oct. 1: Abstracts Due for 2026 CFSEI Expo, Emerging Technologies Forum, and Future Webinars
- CFSEI Announces Winners of 2025 Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design