Create Your Own Museum – IE School of Humanities Competition 2026

Bring your ideas to life in the 2026 Humanities Competition by imagining a museum that reflects your vision of culture, society, and innovation. Use your creativity and humanistic perspective to stand out — the winner will receive an award that covers 20% of tuition fees for future studies in the Bachelor in Humanities (single degree) or the Dual Degree in Business Administration & Humanities in September 2026 or September 2027.

Scroll down to discover the challenge and how to take part:

You have received a substantial endowment bequeathed to you by a philanthropist, with the sole condition that it must be used to create a museum. The museum can be a physical, virtual, or hybrid space.

You are free to choose the theme, the time period, and the geographical focus of your museum. Your challenge is to:

• Develop a compelling narrative for the museum
• Explain the social impact it would have
• Describe how you would reach potential visitors
• Propose the types of activities and programs you would organize to raise awareness
• Design a viability plan for the museum’s long-term maintenance

The funds received may also be used for:

• Acquiring or borrowing pieces
• Covering expenses such as venue costs, digital development, and personnel

Task:

Submit your museum proposal in the format of your choice — it can be a written document (Word, PDF), a visual presentation (PowerPoint, Canva, etc.), or a combination of formats.

We recommend a length of 4–8 pages or slides as a general guideline. However, creativity, originality, and clarity of expression will be valued more than strict adherence to format or length.

Feel free to include visuals, sketches, mock-ups, or storytelling elements that help bring your museum concept to life.

Evaluation Criteria

• Humanistic Insight: You connect technology with deeper human questions.
• Original Thinking: You show creativity, imagination, and innovation.
• Clarity: Your message is well-structured, engaging, and easy to understand.
• Ethical Reflection: You consider both the opportunities and risks of using AI.

Deadline

• Registration Deadline –  Wednesday, March 11^th On-demand/Asynchronous
  All participants will receive the necessary instructions in an on-demand format to be able to compete.
• Assignment submission Deadline – Wednesday, April 8th
• Closing Ceremony and Award winners announcement – Saturday, April 18th  Zoom Live virtual session from 15:00 till 15:45 (Madrid Time)

Who can compete?

Open to high school students who are considering starting either the Bachelor in Humanities (single degree) or the Dual Degree in Business Administration & Humanities in September 2026 or September 2027.

Prize

An award that covers 20% of tuition fees for the Bachelor in Humanities or the Dual Degree in Business Administration & Humanities at IE University.

*Please note:

• The Humanities Competition award is granted upon successfully completing the IE University admission process and receiving an offer to begin studies in September 2026 or September 2027 in either the Bachelor in Humanities or the Dual Degree in Business Administration & Humanities.
• The award applies to all 4 or 5 years of the selected program, provided that the recipient continues to meet IE University’s annual scholarship renewal requirements.
• This award is compatible with other IE scholarships or awards, with a maximum cumulative total of 100%.