IDA launches innovation fund to support Covid-19 projects

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
May 5, 2020

International Design Awards (IDA) and European Product Design Awards (ePDA) have introduced a new $2,000 grant to support the creation of fashionable and reusable PPE.

The fashion competition is part of four special Covid-19 Design Innovation Grants, worth over $14,000 (£11,000).

The grants will be awarded in four categories, including product design, architecture and interior design, graphic design and fashion design.

In the product design category, innovators are invited to design ventilators or other life-saving equipment that can be produced at a cost of less than $1,000. 

Architects and interior designers are encouraged to create an innovative solution for an in-home isolation pod, allowing those with Covid-19 symptoms to safely co-habit without transmitting the virus. 

The winners in the product design and architecture categories will receive $5,000, while a winning graphic designer will be awarded $2,000. Graphic designers are invited to submit their designs for a resource to help the public protect themselves, or deal with the psychological effects of isolation, to participate.

Finally, fashion designers from the UK and abroad can present their ideas for reusable masks or other protective equipment to help stop the spread of the virus. The winner will receive $2,000.

“The global Covid-19 pandemic presents unprecedented challenges for creatives and designers. But it also provides a unique opportunity to come together as a community and use our talents and skills to make a positive impact. To this end we are launching this grant, in collaboration with our sister award, the European Product Design Awards, to support the global fight to stop the spread of this virus and save lives,” said IDA founder and president, Hossein Farmani.

Submissions close on 15 May.