2015 Call for Proposals
The Buckminster Fuller Institute formally announces the Call for Proposals to the 2015 Fuller Challenge. Recognized as “Socially-Responsible Design’s Highest Award”, the Fuller Challenge invites activists, architects, artists, designers, entrepreneurs, scientists, students and planners from all over the world to submit their innovative solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing problems. A $100,000 prize is awarded to support the development and implementation of one outstanding strategy. Entries will be accepted until March 31, 2015 at 5pm EDT.
WINNING CRITERIA: IMPACTING 100%
Buckminster Fuller called for a design revolution to “make the world work for 100% of humanity, in the shortest possible time, through spontaneous cooperation, without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.”
Answering this call is what the Fuller Challenge is all about.
ABOUT THE FULLER CHALLENGE
Winning entries for the last six years have applied a rare combination of pragmatic, visionary, comprehensive and anticipatory thinking to tackling issues as broad as urban mobility, coastal restoration and innovation in biomaterials packaging. BFI has created an application process for entry to the Fuller Challenge in which global changemakers grapple deeply with a unique set of criteria. Internationally renowned jurors and reviewers look for whole systems strategies that integrate effectively with key social, environmental and economic factors impacting each design solution.
FORWARD ON THE CALL!
Are you or someone you know working on a holistic solution to make the world work for 100%? Read below for more information on what we are looking for, download the full Call for Proposals, and APPLY!
Deadline for entries is Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 5pm EDT.
THE INSPIRATION
Buckminster Fuller led a prolific life of research, invention, writing and teaching. He developed a comprehensive systems approach to understanding complex global problems and a unique set of “design science” principles that embodied a deeply attuned ecological aesthetic. Fuller conceived and prototyped new strategies intended to enable all of humanity to live lives characterized by freedom, comfort and dignity without negatively impacting the earth’s ecosystems or regenerative capacity. He emphasized that the technology and know-how already exist to successfully surmount our global challenges and he advocated “doing more with less” by increasing the overall performance of every resource invested in a system.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Winning the Fuller Challenge requires more than a stand-alone idea or innovation that focuses on one aspect of a system failure. BFI looks for holistic strategies that demonstrate a clear grasp of big-picture dynamics. If a proposal emphasizes a new design, material, process, service, tool or technology, it is essential that it be part of an integrated strategy that simultaneously addresses key social, environmental and economic factors.
BFI seeks initiatives that tackle urgent needs at a range of scales: from macro-strategies that have the potential for widespread impact, to local, community-based initiatives with global relevance and replicability. Proposals at any stage of development will be reviewed; non-profit, for-profit and hybrid initiatives are all eligible.
Entries must meet the following criteria:
Visionary – put forth an original idea or synthesize existing ideas into a new strategy that creatively addresses a critical need
Comprehensive – apply a whole-systems approach to all facets of the design and development process; aim to simultaneously address multiple goals, requirements and conditions
Anticipatory – factor in critical future trends and needs as well as the projected impacts of project implementation in the short and long term
Ecologically Responsible – reflect nature’s underlying principles while enhancing the Earth’s life support systems
Feasible – demonstrate the solution is possible; rely on existing technology; have a solid team capable of implementing the project
Verifiable – able to withstand rigorous empirical testing; claims made must be authentic
Replicable – able to scale and be adapted to similar conditions elsewhere
Winning initiatives integrate these criteria into powerful design solutions that have the potential to play a significant role in the transition to an equitable and sustainable future for all.