The International Molded Fiber Association (IMFA) invites university student teams to design innovative, sustainable molded fiber packaging for a real-world consumer product.
This annual competition challenges future packaging professionals to combine creativity with technical skill, developing practical, manufacturable, and environmentally responsible molded fiber solutions.
Eligibility:
- Open to students enrolled in accredited packaging or paper science programs.
- Entries must be submitted as teams (up to 3 per university) with a faculty advisor.
Awards:
- 1st Place: $1,000 team prize and sponsored travel for one student and their faculty mentor to present at the IMFA Annual Conference in Barcelona, Spain (April 14–16, 2026).
Key Dates:
- Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026
- Winners Notified: February 20, 2026
All materials must be submitted through this form by the deadline. Incomplete or late entries will not be reviewed.
For complete competition guidelines, visit imfa.org/molded-fiber-student-innovators-competition.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact us directly at info@imfa.org.
Pictured Above: Preston Briggs from the University of Wisconsin-Stout presents his team's winning design at the 2025 IMFA Annual Conference in Miami, FL.