The International Concrete Design Competition for Students is a biennial ideas and design competition for students in architecture, engineering, design and affiliated disciplines. It is organized and funded by a consortium of European cement and concrete associations and open for students registered in an educational institute in one of the participating countries.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students aims at promoting innovative design attitudes related to the use of concrete as a material and a technology. It is characterized by its format: each competition cycle is framed by a theme designating a specific property of concrete. Nationally chosen laureates are invited to participate in an international master class. This master class continues the investigation of the theme.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students is material based. It focuses design attitudes towards material as a design-leading phenomenon. It does not prescribe ‘traditional’ design requirements like programme, location or typology. It asks participants to explore and exploit the potential of the material in a design-led environment. They are invited to approach the material from within its own merits and to push its potential to 'realise' developed ideas. It asks to present these ideas through design proposals. Ideas can only show their merits when they are applied. The choice of a design topic or programme is free. It should be chosen such that it presents the participant’s ideas as accurately as possible and can range from building details to large structures, landscape projects or building complexes.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students is ‘open’ for adaptations. It's character offers a platform for material research and design that can either be approached individually as a complete assignment or it can be incorporated within 'host' design and research assignments and thus becoming part of existing curricula.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students is an initiative by a collaboration of European cement and concrete associations. Their aim is to promote innovative design attitudes related to concrete. They recognise that the use of concrete as an architectural medium shows room for improvements and development. They see the material not only as a means to 'solve' formal design ambitions. Material research and understanding will lead to innovative design and create possibilities for architects, designers and engineers to surpass existing limitations and visions.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students also recognises the abundant energy, enthusiasm and potential of those studying architecture, engineering and design, the future professionals that will work with concrete. The cement and concrete associations are convinced this competition offers additional expertise alongside the regular education on materials students receive. In order to learn about and understand a material one has to experience and explore its properties, preferably in a design-led environment. This competition including its master class for laureates offers a unique opportunity to be part of future developments and to immerse oneself in conditions where materials are at the core of developments and design.