Smarter Travel Student Awards application 2026-2027
TU Dublin students are once again invited to participate in the Smarter Travel Student Awards 2026-2027, a national programme that challenges students to develop innovative projects that support sustainable and active travel on campus and within communities across Ireland. The awards provide an opportunity for both undergraduate and postgraduate students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world sustainability challenges while building valuable experience and enhancing their professional portfolio.
In recent years, TU Dublin students have enjoyed considerable success in the programme, with projects recognised nationally for their creativity, impact and innovation. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to take part, whether through coursework, research projects, clubs and societies, or extracurricular activities.
Key Dates
Applications for the 2026-2027 programme open on 15 October 2026. Students can choose to submit projects during either semester:
- Semester 1 Entry Deadline: Thursday, 17 December 2026
- Semester 2 Entry Deadline: Thursday, 1 April 2027
- National Student Awards Ceremony: Thursday, 6 May 2027 (provisional)
Award Categories
Students may enter projects under one of three award categories:
Engineering & Innovation
For projects focused on design, technology, social innovation, entrepreneurship, transport planning, software solutions, or physical prototypes that encourage sustainable travel.
Social Marketing
For projects involving communications, marketing campaigns, behavioural change initiatives, community engagement, sport, health promotion, and digital marketing that promote active and sustainable travel choices.
Media
For creative projects including graphic design, illustration, animation, audio production, video content, social media campaigns and public service announcements focused on sustainable mobility.
New Summer Internship Opportunity
A significant addition to the programme is the new Smarter Travel Student Awards Summer Internship Programme with the National Transport Authority (NTA). Finalists in the awards programme will be eligible to apply for internship opportunities, providing students with practical experience in sustainability and active travel initiatives at a national level. Students will be selected through a combination of project performance, a CV and statement of interest, and a final interview process. Internship applications are scheduled to open in February 2027.
New Resources and Student Supports
To support students throughout the project development process, the 2026-2027 programme includes a range of new resources and guidance materials. These include:
- A Student Awards Guidebook
- Assessment and Marking Rubrics
- Entry Checklists
- Official Logos and Image Banks
- Poster Templates for project submissions
- Terms and Conditions documentation
Students will also have access to updated briefing materials and support resources designed to help them develop high-quality submissions while strengthening communication, creativity and project planning skills.
New AI Policy Introduced
The programme has also introduced a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy to support students using emerging technologies in their projects. The policy has been developed to encourage creativity and innovation while maintaining academic integrity, originality and transparency within submissions. Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the guidance before preparing their entries.
Get Involved
Participating in the Smarter Travel Student Awards offers students the opportunity to gain valuable project experience, showcase their work to industry experts, strengthen their CV, and contribute to a more sustainable future for transport in Ireland. Finalists will present their work at the national awards ceremony and gain exposure to professionals working in sustainability, transport, communications and innovation.
Students and staff who are interested in learning more about the programme, exploring previous TU Dublin projects, or discussing potential project ideas are encouraged to contact TU Dublin's Smarter Travel Coordinator Rebecca Flanagan.