Re:Paris Prize: US Open Call

About this call

Van Alen Institute has relaunched its Paris Prize in Architecture (1904 to 1997) as the Re:Paris Prize, focused on reparative and regenerative urbanism in cities and communities across the global post-colonial landscape, in partnership with the Pan-African Biennale. Two Africa-based winners were selected from the 2026 Pan-African Biennale; this open call selects one designer based in the United States. Each winner receives $35,000 to research how design plays a transformative role in Africa and the Black diaspora. Proposals should require international travel for field research, move a new concept or existing project to its next phase, engage communities impacted by historical and ongoing harm, help ideas scale up to achieve greater impact or reach a wider audience, and address one or more of five themes: land use, planning and regenerative development; materials, making and resilient design; data, algorithms and the public realm; interdependent ecosystems; cultural hybridity. The three winners collaborate for 12 months and present their work at Van Alen Institute in Brooklyn, United States, in Fall 2027 and at the second Pan-African Biennale in 2028. The US-based winner will be selected in December 2026 and announced in January 2027.

Who can apply

• United States only
• Medium: Mixed Media
• Entry fee: See official site
• Open to designers based in the United States: practitioners who through their background, expertise or experience contribute to how cities and public spaces are formed and inhabited. Most applicants are expected to hold an accredited design degree, but designers with relevant work experience are encouraged to apply. Relevant disciplines may include, but are not limited to, architecture, city planning, engineering, environmental graphic design, experience and interaction design, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, lighting design, placemaking, service design, systems design, transportation and connectivity, and urban design. The project must be completed within 12 months of the award, some research must take place outside the United States, and the prize is for independent study only. Current Van Alen Institute staff and board members are not eligible. Teams may apply (a CV for each member). Submit a project title, a description of up to 200 words, a cover image, themes, travel destinations, a video statement of up to 5 minutes, a portfolio of up to 15 examples, two professional references and two desired mentors; a CV and written work are optional. Winners convene three times: kickoff and closing at Van Alen's Brooklyn office and a midpoint event in a city to be announced.