REIMAGINE WOOL: DIGITAL POSTER CONTEST

New year, new divisions, same innovative contest! Get ready to showcase your bold, creative vision for the future of 25+ micron wool. From innovative products to sustainable solutions, submit your original idea that showcases a new use, twist on a current product, or a new method of processing. Compete for prizes, recognition, and the chance to inspire the industry.

The American Sheep Industry Association and Wool Council is looking for innovative ideas that:

• Find viable, marketable uses for underutilized American wool >25 micron by theorizing new wool products, processes, or tweaks on current products and processes
• Promote American wool by creating awareness of wool properties and uses
• Grow value for American sheep producers

Contest opens September 1, 2026.

Entries due November 15, 2026.

 

Prizes & Awards

Get noticed by the industry! The top 10 posters will be showcased at the American Sheep Industry Convention. Cash prizes will be announced on September 1, 2026.

People’s Choice Award: Will be awarded to one poster with the most votes by ASI Convention attendees.

Prize money is considered taxable income and submission of a W-9 form is required for payment.

 

Rules

• Posters must be in a digital PDF format sized 18″x24″, 300dpi.
• Posters must clearly show:

• 1. Your concept for a new wool use, twist on a current product, or a new method of processing
  2. Why it is innovative or beneficial
  3. Potential market impact
  4. Basic feasibility path (how it could be made, used, or adopted)

• Products or processes must use at least 50% wool by weight.

 

Divisions

Posters must be entered in one division only. Entrants may submit multiple poster ideas.

Academic Division

Posters must include a visual, concise summary designed for conference presentation, typically arranged in 3 to 4 columns.

Judging Criteria:

• Relevant work acknowledged (25%)
  • Clearly states current work in an appropriate scholarly context
  • Acknowledges the conceptual and methodological foundation provided by previous work
  • Identifies the novel contribution of the present work to the field/society
• Significant question or creative objective (25%)
  • Explicitly states the research question or creative objective
  • Explains why the research question is important and timely
  • The research question or creative objective follows logically from the previous work cited
• Appropriate methodologies (25%)
  • Clearly presents results; explicitly interprets results with respect to the research question or creative objective
  • Acknowledges limitations of the methods used
• Effective presentation (25%)
  • Poster display is well-organized and professional; tables and figures present content effectively

 

Open Division

Posters share details of an idea and its impacts on a visually appealing, large-scale poster.

Judging Criteria:

• Innovation and creativity (original or twist on existing idea) 20%

• Feasibility (probability of commercial market application, practical) 50%

• Clarity (clearly explained and presented) 10%

• Design (aesthetically and functionally appealing) 10%

• Use of unwashed wool (embraces less expensive process) 10%

 

Judging

Submissions will be judged by a committee of wool processors, academic personnel, and ASI Wool Council members. Winners in the Open and Academic Divisions as well as the top 10 posters showcased at the American Sheep Industry Convention will be notified by December 15, 2026.

 

Important Dates

September 1, 2026	Contest opens
November 15, 2026	Entries due
December 15, 2026	Academic & Open Division winners plus top 10 poster entrants notified
January 13-16, 2027	Top 10 posters displayed & People’s Choice voting at American Sheep Industry Convention
January 16, 2027	Winners announced

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can enter? Anyone! Students, professionals, organizations, startups, manufacturers, etc. are all welcome.

Do I need a finished product? No. Concepts, ideas, processes and tweaks on current products are all eligible.

Do I need to print the poster for display? No, the American Sheep Industry Association will print the top 10 posters that will be featured at the American Sheep Industry Convention.

When and where will the winners be announced? All winners will be announced on January 16, 2027  at the American Sheep Industry Convention in Charleston, NC, as well as in ASI communications.

Must the finalists be present at the Convention?  No

What are some characteristics of wool? Breathable, biodegradable, flame-resistant, odor resistant, moisture-wicking, durable, temperature-regulating as well as being rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and sulfur. For more, visit www.americanwool.org/wool-101/science-of-wool/

How is wool processed? Wool is usually scoured (washed), carded, combed, and spun into yarn. Wool is then felted, woven, or knitted into fabric before being cut and sewn for apparel and other textiles. For more, visit www.americanwool.org/wool-101/types-wool-processing/

Where can I find wool to experiment? Contact your nearest sheep producer neighbor, county or state extension service, state sheep association, or fiber mill.

Why is wool greater than 25 microns undervalued? Wool that is more than 25 microns is generally unsuitable for clothing but ideal for upholstery and home goods, insulation, soil health, and industrial applications.

Wool products that currently use wool greater than 25 microns:

• Home and Lifestyle — rugs, insulation, acoustic panels, stuffing, cleaning pads,
• Agricultural and Landscaping — erosion mats, mulch discs, pest-repellent products, equine blankets and wraps,
• Industrial and Technical — filtration, oil spill absorbents, protective padding for transport, heavy duty felt pads,
• Artisanal and Fashion Accessories — outerwear, bags and purses, gloves, craft kits, felting kits, slippers, shoes
• Medical — insulation containers for organ transport, bandages, wraps