igus manus awards 2027
Calling All Design Engineers: igus Opens Applications for the 13th manus Awards
Contestants can win up to $5,000 for designs that use self-lubricating bearings to cut costs and waste
Applicants can submit until February 12, 2027, to enter projects that use igus plastic plain bearings.
East Providence, RI, October 13, 2026 – igus®, a global leader in motion plastics, opened applications for the 2027 manus awards. The contest, now in its 13th round, honors designs that use igus self-lubricating plain bearings. In particular, the jury looks for bearings that cut costs and help the environment. Winners can receive up to $5,000 in prize money.
Many lubricants take a lot of energy to make. They can also end up in the environment and must be disposed of properly. Self-lubricating plastic bearings, however, avoid these problems. In addition, they remove the cost of buying lubricants and greasing parts on a schedule.
In fact, a study with RWTH Aachen University showed big savings on lubricant costs. Depending on the application, polymer bearings can save roughly $7,900 to $15.8 million per year.
Meanwhile, interest in the award keeps growing. The 2025 contest drew a record of more than 600 entries.
“This interest shows just how attractive and relevant the switch from metal to polymer bearings has become,” said Tobias Vogel. Vogel is CEO of Plain Bearings and Linear Technology at igus and also sits on the manus jury.
For example, Prechtl Tech Solutions won in 2025 with a mobile surgical microscope. Its plastic bearings make the microscope tougher and easier to maintain in areas with limited infrastructure. Other winners included a solar power plant, an AI-powered hoe and a bicycle trailer for parcels.
U.S. engineers have also taken top honors. In 2023, Ohio-based J&M Manufacturing won gold for a farm plow with self-lubricating bearings.
How to Enter
The award is open to designs that use plain bearings, linear plain bearings or spherical bearings. These can be made of solid plastic or plastic compounds. However, at least one working version of the device must exist. A jury of experts from universities, industry and the trade press will review each entry. Above all, judges will weigh the technical, environmental and economic benefits of the bearings.
Applications close February 12, 2027. After that, the jury will award four prizes worth up to $5,000 each. These are the gold, silver and bronze manus awards, plus a green manus award for the most sustainable design.
For more information and to apply, visit www.igus.com/company/competitions/manus-award.
