Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge - FAQs
These FAQs will be updated as additional questions are received. Please monitor this page throughout the competition period. Additional questions may be sent to BeautifyTransportation@dot.gov.
Note: All citations to “sections” in this FAQ refer to the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge document.
General Information
What is the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge?
The Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge is part of the United States Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT or Department) commitment to integrating beauty and functionality into future design initiatives while expanding awareness of American architectural traditions. The effort is led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy with coordination from the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Maritime Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration.
What is the purpose of the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge?
This is a design challenge that encourages visual and conceptual renderings that reimagine public transportation assets as symbols of national and community pride. This is not a funding opportunity for physical infrastructure projects and there are no plans to request proposals for such projects.
When does the Challenge open and what is the deadline for entry?
- Challenge Opens: March 13, 2026 @ 12:00 PM ET
- Challenge Closes: May 13, 2026 @ 5:00 PM ET
Is there an entrance fee to participate?
No
Is there a limit on how many proposals a team or individual can submit?
While there is not a stated limit on the number of submissions, each submission should be carefully prepared to receive serious consideration. It is better to focus on quality than quantity.
Where can I find complete, up-to-date information about the Challenge?
The “Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge” challenge statement, available on Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge page, is a comprehensive document containing everything participants need to know, including an overview, submission instructions, prize information, eligibility requirements, rules, and evaluation criteria. Participants are strongly encouraged to read that document alongside this FAQ before submitting.
Where can I find past webinar recordings or other resources?
When available, webinar recordings, presentation slides, and other resources will be posted on Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge page.
Eligibility and Team Composition
Who is eligible to participate in the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge?
The Challenge has 3 tiers open to individuals, entities, and teams as shown below. Specific requirements can be found in the “Eligibility Requirements” section of the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge document.
- Professional Tier: This tier is designed for established organizations and entities with professional expertise in design, planning, and infrastructure. This includes state, territory, city, tribal governments, and local governments; transportation agencies; professional architecture, engineering, and planning firms; universities and academic institutions; and architectural or planning organizations.
- Public Tier: This tier is open to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents that are passionate about civic design. This track is intended for independent designers, artists, and community members who are not submitting on behalf of an entity eligible under the Professional Tier.
- Student Tier: This tier is open to individual students in grades 6–12; teams of students in grades 6–12; and school-affiliated clubs and organizations (e.g., CAD clubs, after-school STEM programs) serving students in grades 6–12. Teams/clubs should exclusively include students in grades 6-12.
What are the rules regarding teachers/advisors/professionals working with students?
- If the design concept is entirely the work of the students and the professionals are serving only as adult advisors or sponsors (e.ge., teachers or mentors), the team may enter the Student Tier.
- If the submission is a partnership where professionals or eligible organizations (like architecture firms or universities) are actively co-authoring or providing technical design work, it must be entered in the Professional Tier.
- If the adults are acting independently of an official organization, but are in an active partnership with the students, it must be entered in the Public Tier.
I am a professional but wish to submit on my own behalf. 1) Is this allowed? 2) Which tier?
If you are applying on behalf of yourself and not your company/organization, use the Public Tier. Even if your company/organization is submitting, you may submit individually as long as you are not a part of the company/organization’s team.
Are non-U.S. entities or individuals eligible to receive a prize?
To be eligible to receive a prize, all individuals or entities submitting a design, acting alone or as part of a team, must meet the criteria described in the “Eligibility Requirements” section:
- A private entity must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States or U.S. territory; and
- An individual, whether participating singly or as a part of a team, must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or U.S. territory.
- Schools represented (including homeschools) must be located in the United States or U.S. territory.
Can individuals coordinate/work with international people regarding their project?
All individuals participating in the submission of a design must meet the requirements above.
Can recent graduate students on OPT/STEM OPT participate in the competition?
STEM OPT is an F-1 visa. These individuals are not lawful permanent residents and therefore would not be eligible.
Are Federal employees or entities eligible to receive a prize?
U.S. DOT employees are not eligible to win a prize, nor are other Federal employees acting within the scope of their employment. All non-U.S. DOT Federal employees must consult with their agency Ethics Official to determine whether Federal ethics rules limit or prohibit the acceptance of a cash prize stemming from a Federally sponsored prize competition.
Is there a maximum number of team members?
No. There is no limit on the number of team members who can contribute to a submission. However, all listed entities or individuals must meet the requirements in the Eligibility Requirements section.
Which member of a team will U.S. DOT communicate with during the Challenge?
U.S. DOT will communicate with the individual listed as the main point of contact on the Official Intake Form. When the entry is from an individual, that individual should be the main point of contact. When the entry is from an entity, the main point of contact should be an employee of that entity. Other teams must designate a primary point of contact from their team members.
Preparing Your Submission
What must be included in the submission?
To be considered a complete entry for the Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge, the following items are required. Note that each tier may have different requirements for each part of the entry. See the “How to Enter” section of the Challenge document for specific file and naming requirements.
- Official Intake Form (Google Form)
- 2D or 3D Rendered Visualization
- Narrative Document
- Slide Deck
Can I include digital links in my submission?
Yes. For the 2D or 3D Rendered Visualization, submissions may include a digital image (JPEG/PNG) or a live link to an online viewer. If submitting a link to a 3D model, animation, or interactive concept, it must not require login credentials, paid access, or proprietary software to view; it must be viewable on standard web browsers without downloads; and the link must remain active and accessible throughout the evaluation period. Note: A static image (JPEG or PNG) must also be included in the submission package to ensure reviewers can evaluate the concept if the link becomes unavailable. Images should be at least 300 DPI, or a minimum of 1920x1080 pixels to ensure clarity.
May we submit videos (such as via YouTube)?
Yes. Videos may be included as part of the 2D or 3D Rendered Visualization. They should not be included in the narrative or slide deck.
For the 2D or 3D Rendered Visualization required, is it only one image of the rendering or visualization?
No, submissions may include multiple images or renderings.
Are traditional watercolor renderings accepted for Professional Tier?
For the Professional Tier, it is recommended that professional tools (e.g., CAD, BIM, 3D modeling) be used so that visuals reflect the expected quality and detail.
Are pencil drawings or digitized hand-drawn illustrations acceptable for the rendering if they meet the quality requirements in the Public Tier?
Since a conceptual visualization rather than a high-fidelity rendering is expected, a digitized version of a hand-drawn illustration may meet the expected level of quality.
Are there page limits or formatting requirements for the Narrative document?
The “How to Enter” section provides specific formatting and submission requirements. The narrative document must be in PDF format with text no smaller than 12-point font and with 1" margins. Page limits vary by tier as follows:
- Professional: 5 pages
- Public: 3 pages
- Student: 2 pages
Note: The title page will NOT count toward the page limit. Submissions that exceed the page limit or exceed 8 MB file size will be ineligible.
Are there limits on the slide deck?
The “How to Enter” section provides specific formatting and submission requirements. The slide deck must be in PDF format. Text in tables or graphics of any font size are acceptable provided they are legible. Limits on the number of slides allowed vary by tier as follows:
- Professional: 8 slides
- Public: 5 slides
- Student: 5 slides
Submissions that exceed the slide limit or exceed 8 MB file size will be ineligible.
Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) be used to develop the designs?
AI may be used subject to some restrictions. Any use of AI tools in the preparation of the design submission must be disclosed. Refer to the “Rules” section of the Challenge document for complete rules related to the use of AI.
Do submissions need to be in English?
To be eligible to win a prize under this Challenge, the materials submitted must be in English. Materials submitted in other languages will not be evaluated
Can Federal funds be used to prepare submissions?
Federal grantees or recipients of Federal cooperative agreements may not use Federal funds to develop submissions for this Challenge unless consistent with the purpose of their grant award or cooperative agreement; and Federal contractors may not use Federal funds from a contract to develop prize competition applications or to fund efforts in support of a prize competition submission.
Does each concept submitted require its own Intake Form?
Yes.
Judging and Awards
How are designs reviewed and judged?
Submissions are reviewed by a multidisciplinary technical review team of DOT experts representing diverse backgrounds in architecture, transportation planning, engineering, and the arts. The design ideas will be judged against the criteria published in the “Judging” section of the Challenge document:
- Design Excellence,
- Context and Fit,
- Artistic Expression,
- Innovation and Creativity,
- User and Community Experience,
- Presentation and Communication, and
- Impact and Applicability.
Note: Each Criterion will be weighed equally for all submission tiers.
Will the submissions be reviewed anonymously for the professional category?
No, the package that reviewers receive will include the submitting organization. All submissions will be reviewed according to the evaluation rubric.
For the different categories (bridges, gateways, streetscape, etc.) are they all being judged together, or will each category be judged separately?
All categories will be judged together within each tier. No priority exists for any category.
Are we able to present our concepts to the judges?
No. The technical review team will rely on the documents submitted.
Does the feasibility of the project affect the scoring?
While we would like you to think outside of the box, concepts should be based in reality with respect to applicability. It is expected that some ideas will represent more future thinking vs some with more near-term applicability and both are welcome.
Can you go into more detail by what is meant by “grounded and realistic”?
Submissions should be rooted in the believable, logical constraints of the real world. They can be innovative while still respecting what could realistically be accomplished. Ideas should respect the laws of physics and materials to represent something functionally viable.
What is the prize structure?
Up to 3 winners will be awarded in each tier subject to the quality of submissions received. Up to $650,000 is available for prizes and will be distributed as follows:
- Professional Tier: 1st place = $250,000, 2nd place = $150,000, 3rd place = $100,000
- Public Tier: 1st place = $50,000, 2nd place = $30,000, 3rd place = $20,000
- Student Tier: 1st place = $25,000, 2nd place = $15,000, 3rd place = $10,000
How and when are prizes awarded?
The “Rules” section states: “Cash prizes awarded under this Challenge will be paid to the designated individual or Team Lead directly by U.S. DOT through electronic funds transfer. Winner(s) will be responsible for any applicable local, State, and Federal taxes and reporting that may be required under applicable tax laws. U.S. DOT will comply with Internal Revenue Service withholding and reporting requirements, where applicable. For designs submitted by a team, following payment to the Team Lead, U.S. DOT will not be involved in determining how prize money is divided or distributed amongst the team members.”
Any prizes awarded for submissions led by an entity will be awarded to the entity itself and the entity is responsible for any further distribution of that prize.
What happens after awards are selected?
In addition to the cash prizes, winning designs will be featured on official U.S. DOT communication platforms, serving as exemplars for future infrastructure projects. Planning is also underway for a Showcase Event where winners will be invited to present their concepts in the Summer of 2026. Keep an eye on the Challenge website for updates.
Scope and Other Questions
What infrastructure categories are eligible?
Eligible infrastructure categories include:
- Bridges and overpasses
- Transit and mobility hubs (e.g., train stations, bus stations, etc.)
- Corridors and streetscapes
- Transportation-connected public spaces and plazas (e.g., airports, ports, etc.)
- Gateways and entries
- Rural and small community transportation-related features
- Intermodal or infrastructure connections (e.g. terminals, ports, last-mile connections, etc.)
Are these proposals intended for actual construction?
No, these proposals are not intended for real-world construction efforts. This competition is strictly a design challenge and does not serve as a funding opportunity for building physical infrastructure projects.When you refer to "local context," is that referring to where the project is intended to be, or is some context implied?
What are some illustrative examples of relevant design innovation?
The Department has identified several historic and contemporary examples of infrastructure that successfully blend functional engineering with aesthetic excellence. This video Beautiful Infrastructure that Moves You showcases many of them.
You mentioned "traditional architecture principles" what are some examples?
Classical architecture encompasses such styles as Neoclassical, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Beaux-Arts, and Art Deco.
Since this is supposed to celebrate 250 years, are big ideas encouraged more than smaller interventions? (For example, designing a full terminal compared to just a bridge or gateway.)
Ideas of all sizes are welcome but must be significant enough to demonstrate innovation and impact.
When you refer to "local context," is that referring to where the project is intended to be, or is some context implied?
The submission should be contextually integrated into the proposed location. While broader characteristics from regional or national identity can inform the design, it should be appropriate and contextually relevant to the community it may be located in.
Can projects showcase external uses outside of their primary function (e.g., mixed use development)?
Transportation infrastructure should be emphasized. Incorporating mixed use development could demonstrate how it complements its surrounding environment, but it should not overshadow its transportation function.
Intellectual Property & Confidentiality
Will the Challenge protect intellectual property?
The “Rules” section of the Challenge document states “Intellectual Property of Submissions” states: “Neither the U.S. DOT nor anyone acting on its behalf will obtain any rights in intellectual property developed prior to or during this prize competition without the prior written consent of the Participant. By participating in the prize competition, the Participant is not granting rights in any patents, pending patent applications, or copyrights related to the technology described in their submission. However, by submitting their entry, the Participant is granting the U.S. DOT and any parties acting on its behalf certain limited rights as set forth herein.” Refer to the “Rules” section for additional information on IP considerations for submissions.
What about confidential and business information?
U.S. DOT reserves the right to publish any application information that is not marked as Confidential Business Information. In accordance with the “Rules” section on “Confidential and Business Information,” individual paragraphs or sentences with Confidential Business Information (CBI) included in any submission must be clearly marked and labeled as such. Marking the entire submission as CBI without further delineation is not sufficient. Challenge submissions and communication with U.S. DOT are subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
Additional Information
What if I have additional questions?
Questions related to the Challenge must be submitted to BeautifyTransportation@dot.gov.