The IEEE Technology & Engineering Management Society (TEMS) runs an annual case competition open to student teams anywhere in the world. The 2026 edition is the second; the inaugural round drew 73 active teams from 18 countries across five IEEE regions, with the winning team from Japan, the runner-up from the United States and third place from Nigeria.
Teams work as consultants to an early-career engineering manager who has to build a high-performing, scalable engineering workforce. The 2026 case asks them to weigh investment in artificial intelligence, in emotional intelligence, or in a combination of the two, and to deliver a solution that covers both the technical and the human side of the problem.
The competition runs from February to August across four rounds, starting inside each university and ending in a global final. Entry is free and IEEE or TEMS membership is not required.
Benefits & funding
- Monetary prizes for the top teams. TEMS does not publish the amounts.
- Certificate of participation for every competing team.
- Global exposure through IEEE TEMS platforms and events.
- A detailed case brief, background context and evaluation criteria, released to registered teams.
- Free download of all referenced materials for faculty advisors.
- Feedback from academic and industry judges across the later rounds.
- No entry fee is stated on the competition page.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students anywhere in the world.
- Teams of 3 to 5 students, each team with one faculty advisor.
- Individual submissions are not accepted.
- Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
- IEEE or TEMS membership is not required.
- The competition page states no nationality, residency or age restriction.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
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Application process
- 1Form a team of three to five students and secure one faculty advisor.
- 2Register the team through the official form linked from the competition page before the Round 1 deadline.
- 3Compete in the university round; each institution nominates one team to advance.
- 4Submit a recorded presentation for the regional round; one team from each IEEE region advances.
- 5Present live in the virtual global semi-finals before an international judging panel.
- 6Present in the global final, where the winners are selected.
Program timeline
Competition announced
Feb 20, 2026
Round 1 applications and registration close
Mar 20, 2026
University and regional rounds
April–May 2026
Virtual global semi-finals
June–July 2026
Global final, winners selected
August 2026