2026 Trailblazer Awards

For students who experience systemic barriers, the already demanding journey of design school can become that much heavier.

Together with our generous sponsors, we present the Trailblazer Awards to acknowledge and celebrate students from marginalized and underrepresented communities. It’s our hope that these Awards will help to support the winners in covering the costs of their design education and recognize their design skills, hard work and resilience.

How to apply

Students interested in applying for a Trailblazer Award can either include their submission as part of their RGD Student Awards entries or start a separate entry for the Trailblazer Awards through our awards platform.

On the Student Awards submission form, entrants are asked if they wish to identify with any underrepresented or marginalized communities. Entrants who so identify themselves will be asked if they wish to be considered for a Trailblazer Award. Applying for the Trailblazer Awards is voluntary. A student can identify with an underrepresented or marginalized community and opt out of consideration if they are not interested or uncomfortable.

Sponsors

Will be announced soon.

If you are interested in supporting this program, please contact RGD's Executive Director, Hilary Ashworth, by email at hilary@rgd.ca.