Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to enter the design competition?

Any student ages 17–25 (undergrad student or graduate student). The student must be enrolled in studies at an institution for higher education.

What if my design used another PCB design tool?

We will only accept designs submitted utilizing PADS Professional Student Edition.

What is the deadline for entry?

May 7, 2021

What will I receive if I win?

Global recognition of the individual student or student design team through a press release and presentations / webinars. You may also be featured in industry publications. The top three designs will be given awesome technology gear (see competition homepage). Also, the Top-5 ranked student designs will receive a “PCB Design Excellence” certificate signed by the Senior Vice President of the Electronic Board System division of Siemens Digital Industries Software.

When will I be notified if I won?

The winner will be announced on May 28, 2021.

How will I be notified?

You will receive an email to the address you provide on the submission form.

What is the entry process?

Select ‘Enter’ from the Home page to create a profile and then start submitting your design.

Do I have to complete the form at one time or can I finish later?

You may complete the form in stages. Information you enter will be securely stored for your next visit.

What happens if I recognize a mistake after I submit my entry?

You can change your data even after submitting the entry. If there are major issues, contact us for assistance.

Who will review my submissions?

A panel of Siemens experts with over 40 years of combined PCB design expertise will review and rank all entries.  The student name and contact information is not visible during the judging process to prevent any bias.

Who has access to the submitted design information?

The full entry is only made available to Siemens Digital Industries Software employees.  The judges treat the information as confidential.

Can I submit more than one entry?

Yes. You can submit as many entries as you like. Create one profile, then start adding entries.

What design data is required for an entry?

The design database of the design entry created in PADS Professional Student Edition.

To enter the design competition, you will need to supply all of the design files created in PADS Professional Student Edition for your entry. The easiest way to do this is to create a zip file of your entire design directory. This is the directory that contains your *design_name*.prj file as well as a folder named PCB which contains the *design_name*.pcb file.

NOTE: Any additional documentation that shows the intricacies of your design can also be provided (ex. DRC checks, HyperLynx simulations, physical board, etc). These are not required, but can be helpful in assessing your designs.

What is a representative image of my design?

You can supply a screenshot, or perhaps a picture of the physical PCB after fabrication. This image may be used to enhance your design entry, as well as it may be used in social media posts regarding this or future contests.