NATIONAL STUDENT
MANUFACTURING
INNOVATION CHALLENGE
THE CHALLENGE
[NSMIC.01]COMPETITION
The NSMIC challenges student teams to demonstrate manufacturing innovation, process improvement, and technical excellence at the national level.
OBJECTIVE
Teams solve real-world manufacturing problems, presenting innovative solutions to a panel of industry judges and SME leaders.
TEAM EFFORT
Our Purdue team brings together students from multiple engineering disciplines to collaborate on cutting-edge manufacturing solutions.
ANNUAL EVENT
Held annually as part of SME's national conference, NSMIC draws top engineering programs from across the country.
OUR HISTORY
[NSMIC.02]First Competition
Planning
COMPETITION GUIDELINES
[NSMIC.03]Sign Your SME Student Chapter Up Now
Register your chapter to compete in the National Student Manufacturing Innovation Challenge.
REGISTRATION FEES
$150 base fee + $45 per member
Teams range in size from 4 to 6 members.
Registration fee goes towards meals and activities through the weekend, as well as swag!
SIGN-UPS OPEN: AUGUST 24, 2026
SIGN-UPS CLOSE: NOVEMBER 1, 2026
SPONSOR THE CHALLENGE
[NSMIC.04]WHY SPONSOR?
GET INVOLVED
Interested in sponsoring NSMIC or partnering with the Purdue SME chapter? Reach out to discuss sponsorship tiers, benefits, and opportunities to engage with our students and the broader SME community. To submit sponsorship money to SME, first create a TooCool account and then look up under organizations, SOC Manufacturing. Then select the sponsorship level you would like to submit for.
