Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator
An annual initiative supporting Australian industrial designers working in sustainable design.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator
Supported by a generous bequest from Carl and Judy Nielsen, Powerhouse selects one project designed in Australia that demonstrates outstanding design in sustainability.
This accelerator program is open to industrial designers up to 10 years post-graduation. Each program will be tailored to the recipient and may include industry mentorship, production or research assistance or outreach support up to the value of $25,000. Powerhouse may also seek to acquire the winning project into the Powerhouse Collection.
KEY DATES
- Applications open 12 May 2025
- Applications open until 20 June 2025
Application Process
In assessing applications, the selection panel will consider:
- Evidence of how the project’s design has minimised impact on the environment during design, production, use or end of life
- Innovation in sustainable design or in addressing an issue of environmental and/or social sustainability
- Sustainability credentials such as awards or certifications
- Evidence of the designer’s or organisation’s commitment to sustainable development, through a mission, vision and/or values statement.
Your application must include:
- Cover letter nominating your preferred area of support, addressing the selection criteria and outlining how you would use this opportunity to develop your project (maximum two A4 pages)
- Professional CV
- Project proposal – including high-level timeline, budget and possible partners or collaborators (maximum five A4 pages, pdf, no more than 20MB)
- Two written endorsements from professional referees including their contact details (no more than one A4 page each).
Submit applications by 5pm AEDT, 20 June 2025.
Please see the Information Booklet for more details. If you have further questions contact design.accelerator@powerhouse.com.au.
An annual initiative supporting Australian industrial designers working in sustainable design.
Applications Open
Until 20 June 2025
Industry Advisor
The successful recipient of the 2025 Carl Nielsen Design Accelerator program will be advised by Sydney-based industrial designer and Associate Lecturer, Industrial Design, UNSW Ed Ko, who will work with the recipient to create a bespoke program tailored to the project.
Ko is a multifaceted, award-winning industrial designer, lecturer, communicator, and community builder dedicated to nurturing creative expression and driving positive change through industrial design.
Previous Recipients
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Initiatives
We support and invest in a range of initiatives that sustain industry development and individual creative practice across the applied arts, applied sciences and creative industries.
Opportunities
Careers, volunteer projects, residencies, fellowships, design accelerators and research programs that are currently open.