Welcome to the Smarter Travel Student Awards. On this webpage you will find information about the Student Awards, how to enter, the main Categories, and more. For any further questions on the Smarter Travel Student Awards, please email info@smartertravelcampus.ie
Turn Your Ideas Into Real Change
The Smarter Travel Student Awards challenge students to develop innovative projects that encourage sustainable and active travel on campus and in communities across Ireland.
Whether you’re studying engineering, business, marketing, design, science, technology, communications or another discipline, this is an opportunity to apply your skills to a real-world challenge while enhancing your CV and professional portfolio.
Projects are evaluated by a panel of industry experts, giving participants valuable exposure and recognition. Finalists will be invited to the National Student Awards Ceremony, where their work will be showcased and category winners announced.
My advice to anyone thinking about taking part is to just go for it, I have had the most amazing experience and feel so valued for my ideas working towards a more sustainable Ireland, go TU Dublin!
-Winning Student 2026
↠Who can enter?
The Smarter Travel Student Awards are open to all students of the TFI Smarter Travel Campus Partners. To see if your Campus is a Partner, please visit TFI Smarter Travel Campus.
- Postgraduate
- Undergraduate
↠Why take part?
- Gain valuable project experience
- Showcase your work to industry professionals
- Develop skills relevant to your career
- Build your CV and professional portfolio
- Become eligible to apply for our summer internship programme
- Compete for national recognition
Key Dates for 2026-2027↴
| Semester 1 Entry Deadline | Semester 2 Entry Deadline | National Student Awards Ceremony |
| Thursday December 17th 2026 | Thursday April 1st 2027 | Thursday May 6th 2027 (Provisional) |
How to Enter
What are the Categories for the Student Awards
The Categories are designed to link with a broad range of college courses and modules around the country, so students can develop practical project experience relevant to their coursework. Students who have a keen interest in the area of sustainable travel and who would like to design or develop projects as an extracurricular activity are encouraged to enter a project outside of their coursework. The main Categories are:
Category 1: Engineering & Innovation
The Engineering & Innovation Category covers projects in the areas of design, technology, social innovation & entrepreneurship.
Who should enter this Category?
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students who would like to create a project with:
- A physical prototype
- A social enterprise
- A software solution
- Transport planning solution
Category 2: Social Marketing
The Social Marketing Category covers projects in the areas of marketing, digital marketing, event management, communications, sport, and health promotion.
Who should enter this Category?
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students who would like to create a project with:
- A digital or physical marketing campaign
- A behavioural change campaign
- A community based approach to promoting sustainable travel
Category 3: Media
The Media Category covers projects in the areas of animation, audio, graphic design, illustration, and video.
Who should enter this Category?
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students who would like to create a project with:
- An originally created graphic
- A radio ad/audio clip
- A social media video or PSA
- An animated production
Judging Panel
You can view the 2025/2026 Judging Panel in the table below and view the Judges Biography by clicking on their name and organisation.
Student Awards Resources
Below you can find resources for the Smarter Travel Student Awards:
- Logos and Image Bank
- Student Guidebook
- Smarter Travel Student Awards Marking Rubric
- Entry Checklist
- Terms and Conditions
Poster Templates
Summer Internship Programme
The Smarter Travel Student Awards invites students to apply for the Smarter Travel Student Awards Summer Internship at the National Transport Authority. Students are selected through:
- Project Scoring
- CV and Statement of Interest
- Final Interviews
Why Apply?
- Gain valuable work experience in the field of sustainability and active travel
- Gain recognition for your commitment in the Student Awards programme
- Gain the opportunity to network with industry professionals
Internship placements are open in February 2027, and finalists will be shortlisted for interview in May 2027.