The Biomimicry Institute will pose cutting edge design challenges to architects, scientists and engineers from around the world.  This will be a key part of their effort to spread knowledge of design based on biomimicry principles and produce innovative new designs for the built environment.  The objective is to make this an ongoing program.  They will be doing this in partnership with the Ashoka Foundation Changemakers Program, a well established international network of social change innovation.

Blackstone Ranch Institute is providing funding for the first phase of the project, which will bring together 20-25 leading experts in the various domains of green building and design to identify the most important design challenges.  The challenge will then be presented globally through Ashoka's network of 60,000 social change innovators, which the foundation has developed over the past 20 years.  

Biomimicry Institute and the Ashoka Foundation will work with the winners to secure funding for future development of their products or design strategies.