diff --git a/src/app/(admin)/admin/projects/page.tsx b/src/app/(admin)/admin/projects/page.tsx
index 004a0d8..c151e72 100644
--- a/src/app/(admin)/admin/projects/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(admin)/admin/projects/page.tsx
@@ -622,6 +622,12 @@ export default function ProjectsPage() {
             <Bot className="mr-2 h-4 w-4" />
             AI Tags
           </Button>
+          <Button variant="outline" asChild>
+            <Link href="/admin/projects/pool">
+              <Layers className="mr-2 h-4 w-4" />
+              Assign to Round
+            </Link>
+          </Button>
           <Button variant="outline" asChild>
             <Link href="/admin/projects/bulk-upload">
               <FileUp className="mr-2 h-4 w-4" />
diff --git a/src/app/(admin)/admin/projects/pool/page.tsx b/src/app/(admin)/admin/projects/pool/page.tsx
index b1ffe4c..b9952c1 100644
--- a/src/app/(admin)/admin/projects/pool/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(admin)/admin/projects/pool/page.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 'use client'
 
 import { useState } from 'react'
+import Link from 'next/link'
+import type { Route } from 'next'
 import { trpc } from '@/lib/trpc/client'
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
 import { Checkbox } from '@/components/ui/checkbox'
@@ -24,14 +26,14 @@ import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
 import { Card } from '@/components/ui/card'
 import { Skeleton } from '@/components/ui/skeleton'
 import { toast } from 'sonner'
-import { ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react'
-import Link from 'next/link'
+import { ArrowLeft, ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, Loader2 } from 'lucide-react'
 
 export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
   const [selectedProgramId, setSelectedProgramId] = useState<string>('')
   const [selectedProjects, setSelectedProjects] = useState<string[]>([])
   const [assignDialogOpen, setAssignDialogOpen] = useState(false)
-  const [targetStageId, setTargetStageId] = useState<string>('')
+  const [assignAllDialogOpen, setAssignAllDialogOpen] = useState(false)
+  const [targetRoundId, setTargetRoundId] = useState<string>('')
   const [searchQuery, setSearchQuery] = useState('')
   const [categoryFilter, setCategoryFilter] = useState<'STARTUP' | 'BUSINESS_CONCEPT' | 'all'>('all')
   const [currentPage, setCurrentPage] = useState(1)
@@ -50,34 +52,61 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
     { enabled: !!selectedProgramId }
   )
 
-  // Get stages from the selected program (program.list includes rounds/stages)
-  const { data: selectedProgramData, isLoading: isLoadingStages } = trpc.program.get.useQuery(
+  // Load rounds from program (program.get returns rounds from all competitions)
+  const { data: programData, isLoading: isLoadingRounds } = trpc.program.get.useQuery(
     { id: selectedProgramId },
     { enabled: !!selectedProgramId }
   )
-  const stages = (selectedProgramData?.stages || []) as Array<{ id: string; name: string }>
+  const rounds = (programData?.rounds || []) as Array<{ id: string; name: string; roundType: string; sortOrder: number }>
 
   const utils = trpc.useUtils()
+
   const assignMutation = trpc.projectPool.assignToRound.useMutation({
     onSuccess: (result) => {
       utils.project.list.invalidate()
-      utils.program.get.invalidate()
+      utils.projectPool.listUnassigned.invalidate()
       toast.success(`Assigned ${result.assignedCount} project${result.assignedCount !== 1 ? 's' : ''} to round`)
       setSelectedProjects([])
       setAssignDialogOpen(false)
-      setTargetStageId('')
+      setTargetRoundId('')
       refetch()
     },
-    onError: (error: any) => {
-      toast.error(error.message || 'Failed to assign projects')
+    onError: (error: unknown) => {
+      toast.error((error as { message?: string }).message || 'Failed to assign projects')
     },
   })
 
+  const assignAllMutation = trpc.projectPool.assignAllToRound.useMutation({
+    onSuccess: (result) => {
+      utils.project.list.invalidate()
+      utils.projectPool.listUnassigned.invalidate()
+      toast.success(`Assigned all ${result.assignedCount} projects to round`)
+      setSelectedProjects([])
+      setAssignAllDialogOpen(false)
+      setTargetRoundId('')
+      refetch()
+    },
+    onError: (error: unknown) => {
+      toast.error((error as { message?: string }).message || 'Failed to assign projects')
+    },
+  })
+
+  const isPending = assignMutation.isPending || assignAllMutation.isPending
+
   const handleBulkAssign = () => {
-    if (selectedProjects.length === 0 || !targetStageId) return
+    if (selectedProjects.length === 0 || !targetRoundId) return
     assignMutation.mutate({
       projectIds: selectedProjects,
-      roundId: targetStageId,
+      roundId: targetRoundId,
+    })
+  }
+
+  const handleAssignAll = () => {
+    if (!targetRoundId || !selectedProgramId) return
+    assignAllMutation.mutate({
+      programId: selectedProgramId,
+      roundId: targetRoundId,
+      competitionCategory: categoryFilter === 'all' ? undefined : categoryFilter,
     })
   }
 
@@ -108,14 +137,21 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
   return (
     <div className="space-y-6">
       {/* Header */}
-      <div>
-        <h1 className="text-2xl font-semibold">Project Pool</h1>
-        <p className="text-muted-foreground">
-          Assign unassigned projects to evaluation stages
-        </p>
+      <div className="flex items-start gap-3">
+        <Link href={"/admin/projects" as Route} className="mt-1 shrink-0">
+          <Button variant="ghost" size="icon" className="h-8 w-8">
+            <ArrowLeft className="h-4 w-4" />
+          </Button>
+        </Link>
+        <div>
+          <h1 className="text-2xl font-semibold">Project Pool</h1>
+          <p className="text-muted-foreground">
+            Assign unassigned projects to competition rounds
+          </p>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
-      {/* Program Selector */}
+      {/* Filters */}
       <Card className="p-4">
         <div className="flex flex-col gap-4 md:flex-row md:items-end">
           <div className="flex-1 space-y-2">
@@ -140,8 +176,8 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
 
           <div className="flex-1 space-y-2">
             <label className="text-sm font-medium">Category</label>
-            <Select value={categoryFilter} onValueChange={(value: any) => {
-              setCategoryFilter(value)
+            <Select value={categoryFilter} onValueChange={(value: string) => {
+              setCategoryFilter(value as 'STARTUP' | 'BUSINESS_CONCEPT' | 'all')
               setCurrentPage(1)
             }}>
               <SelectTrigger>
@@ -166,15 +202,32 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
               }}
             />
           </div>
-
-          {selectedProjects.length > 0 && (
-            <Button onClick={() => setAssignDialogOpen(true)} className="whitespace-nowrap">
-              Assign {selectedProjects.length} Project{selectedProjects.length > 1 ? 's' : ''}
-            </Button>
-          )}
         </div>
       </Card>
 
+      {/* Action bar */}
+      {selectedProgramId && poolData && poolData.total > 0 && (
+        <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+          <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
+            <span className="font-medium text-foreground">{poolData.total}</span> unassigned project{poolData.total !== 1 ? 's' : ''}
+          </p>
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
+            {selectedProjects.length > 0 && (
+              <Button onClick={() => setAssignDialogOpen(true)} size="sm">
+                Assign {selectedProjects.length} Selected
+              </Button>
+            )}
+            <Button
+              variant="default"
+              size="sm"
+              onClick={() => setAssignAllDialogOpen(true)}
+            >
+              Assign All {poolData.total} to Round
+            </Button>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
       {/* Projects Table */}
       {selectedProgramId && (
         <>
@@ -195,7 +248,7 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
                       <tr className="text-sm">
                         <th className="p-3 text-left">
                           <Checkbox
-                            checked={selectedProjects.length === poolData.projects.length && poolData.projects.length > 0}
+                            checked={poolData.projects.length > 0 && selectedProjects.length === poolData.projects.length}
                             onCheckedChange={toggleSelectAll}
                           />
                         </th>
@@ -203,7 +256,7 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
                         <th className="p-3 text-left font-medium">Category</th>
                         <th className="p-3 text-left font-medium">Country</th>
                         <th className="p-3 text-left font-medium">Submitted</th>
-                        <th className="p-3 text-left font-medium">Action</th>
+                        <th className="p-3 text-left font-medium">Quick Assign</th>
                       </tr>
                     </thead>
                     <tbody>
@@ -217,7 +270,7 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
                           </td>
                           <td className="p-3">
                             <Link
-                              href={`/admin/projects/${project.id}`}
+                              href={`/admin/projects/${project.id}` as Route}
                               className="hover:underline"
                             >
                               <div className="font-medium">{project.title}</div>
@@ -225,9 +278,11 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
                             </Link>
                           </td>
                           <td className="p-3">
-                            <Badge variant="outline">
-                              {project.competitionCategory === 'STARTUP' ? 'Startup' : 'Business Concept'}
-                            </Badge>
+                            {project.competitionCategory && (
+                              <Badge variant="outline">
+                                {project.competitionCategory === 'STARTUP' ? 'Startup' : 'Business Concept'}
+                              </Badge>
+                            )}
                           </td>
                           <td className="p-3 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
                             {project.country || '-'}
@@ -238,20 +293,20 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
                               : '-'}
                           </td>
                           <td className="p-3">
-                            {isLoadingStages ? (
+                            {isLoadingRounds ? (
                               <Skeleton className="h-9 w-[200px]" />
                             ) : (
                               <Select
                                 onValueChange={(roundId) => handleQuickAssign(project.id, roundId)}
-                                disabled={assignMutation.isPending}
+                                disabled={isPending}
                               >
                                 <SelectTrigger className="w-[200px]">
-                                  <SelectValue placeholder="Assign to stage..." />
+                                  <SelectValue placeholder="Assign to round..." />
                                 </SelectTrigger>
                                 <SelectContent>
-                                  {stages?.map((stage: { id: string; name: string }) => (
-                                    <SelectItem key={stage.id} value={stage.id}>
-                                      {stage.name}
+                                  {rounds.map((round) => (
+                                    <SelectItem key={round.id} value={round.id}>
+                                      {round.name}
                                     </SelectItem>
                                   ))}
                                 </SelectContent>
@@ -269,7 +324,7 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
               {poolData.totalPages > 1 && (
                 <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
                   <p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-                    Showing {((currentPage - 1) * perPage) + 1} to {Math.min(currentPage * perPage, poolData.total)} of {poolData.total} projects
+                    Showing {((currentPage - 1) * perPage) + 1} to {Math.min(currentPage * perPage, poolData.total)} of {poolData.total}
                   </p>
                   <div className="flex gap-2">
                     <Button
@@ -308,24 +363,24 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
         </Card>
       )}
 
-      {/* Bulk Assignment Dialog */}
+      {/* Bulk Assignment Dialog (selected projects) */}
       <Dialog open={assignDialogOpen} onOpenChange={setAssignDialogOpen}>
         <DialogContent>
           <DialogHeader>
-            <DialogTitle>Assign Projects to Stage</DialogTitle>
+            <DialogTitle>Assign Selected Projects</DialogTitle>
             <DialogDescription>
-              Assign {selectedProjects.length} selected project{selectedProjects.length > 1 ? 's' : ''} to:
+              Assign {selectedProjects.length} selected project{selectedProjects.length > 1 ? 's' : ''} to a round:
             </DialogDescription>
           </DialogHeader>
           <div className="space-y-4 py-4">
-            <Select value={targetStageId} onValueChange={setTargetStageId}>
+            <Select value={targetRoundId} onValueChange={setTargetRoundId}>
               <SelectTrigger>
-                <SelectValue placeholder="Select stage..." />
+                <SelectValue placeholder="Select round..." />
               </SelectTrigger>
               <SelectContent>
-                {stages?.map((stage: { id: string; name: string }) => (
-                  <SelectItem key={stage.id} value={stage.id}>
-                    {stage.name}
+                {rounds.map((round) => (
+                  <SelectItem key={round.id} value={round.id}>
+                    {round.name}
                   </SelectItem>
                 ))}
               </SelectContent>
@@ -337,10 +392,48 @@ export default function ProjectPoolPage() {
             </Button>
             <Button
               onClick={handleBulkAssign}
-              disabled={!targetStageId || assignMutation.isPending}
+              disabled={!targetRoundId || isPending}
             >
               {assignMutation.isPending && <Loader2 className="mr-2 h-4 w-4 animate-spin" />}
-              Assign
+              Assign {selectedProjects.length} Projects
+            </Button>
+          </DialogFooter>
+        </DialogContent>
+      </Dialog>
+
+      {/* Assign ALL Dialog */}
+      <Dialog open={assignAllDialogOpen} onOpenChange={setAssignAllDialogOpen}>
+        <DialogContent>
+          <DialogHeader>
+            <DialogTitle>Assign All Unassigned Projects</DialogTitle>
+            <DialogDescription>
+              This will assign all {poolData?.total || 0}{categoryFilter !== 'all' ? ` ${categoryFilter === 'STARTUP' ? 'Startup' : 'Business Concept'}` : ''} unassigned projects to a round in one operation.
+            </DialogDescription>
+          </DialogHeader>
+          <div className="space-y-4 py-4">
+            <Select value={targetRoundId} onValueChange={setTargetRoundId}>
+              <SelectTrigger>
+                <SelectValue placeholder="Select round..." />
+              </SelectTrigger>
+              <SelectContent>
+                {rounds.map((round) => (
+                  <SelectItem key={round.id} value={round.id}>
+                    {round.name}
+                  </SelectItem>
+                ))}
+              </SelectContent>
+            </Select>
+          </div>
+          <DialogFooter>
+            <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => setAssignAllDialogOpen(false)}>
+              Cancel
+            </Button>
+            <Button
+              onClick={handleAssignAll}
+              disabled={!targetRoundId || isPending}
+            >
+              {assignAllMutation.isPending && <Loader2 className="mr-2 h-4 w-4 animate-spin" />}
+              Assign All {poolData?.total || 0} Projects
             </Button>
           </DialogFooter>
         </DialogContent>
diff --git a/src/server/routers/project-pool.ts b/src/server/routers/project-pool.ts
index c1ebf09..62c8805 100644
--- a/src/server/routers/project-pool.ts
+++ b/src/server/routers/project-pool.ts
@@ -198,4 +198,84 @@ export const projectPoolRouter = router({
         roundId,
       }
     }),
+
+  /**
+   * Assign ALL unassigned projects in a program to a round (server-side, no ID limit)
+   */
+  assignAllToRound: adminProcedure
+    .input(
+      z.object({
+        programId: z.string(),
+        roundId: z.string(),
+        competitionCategory: z.enum(['STARTUP', 'BUSINESS_CONCEPT']).optional(),
+      })
+    )
+    .mutation(async ({ ctx, input }) => {
+      const { programId, roundId, competitionCategory } = input
+
+      // Verify round exists
+      await ctx.prisma.round.findUniqueOrThrow({
+        where: { id: roundId },
+        select: { id: true },
+      })
+
+      // Find all unassigned projects
+      const where: Record<string, unknown> = {
+        programId,
+        projectRoundStates: { none: {} },
+      }
+      if (competitionCategory) {
+        where.competitionCategory = competitionCategory
+      }
+
+      const projects = await ctx.prisma.project.findMany({
+        where,
+        select: { id: true },
+      })
+
+      if (projects.length === 0) {
+        return { success: true, assignedCount: 0, roundId }
+      }
+
+      const projectIds = projects.map((p) => p.id)
+
+      const result = await ctx.prisma.$transaction(async (tx) => {
+        await tx.projectRoundState.createMany({
+          data: projectIds.map((projectId) => ({ projectId, roundId })),
+          skipDuplicates: true,
+        })
+
+        const updated = await tx.project.updateMany({
+          where: { id: { in: projectIds } },
+          data: { status: 'ASSIGNED' },
+        })
+
+        await tx.projectStatusHistory.createMany({
+          data: projectIds.map((projectId) => ({
+            projectId,
+            status: 'ASSIGNED',
+            changedBy: ctx.user?.id,
+          })),
+        })
+
+        await logAudit({
+          prisma: tx,
+          userId: ctx.user?.id,
+          action: 'BULK_ASSIGN_ALL_TO_ROUND',
+          entityType: 'Project',
+          detailsJson: {
+            roundId,
+            programId,
+            competitionCategory: competitionCategory || 'ALL',
+            projectCount: projectIds.length,
+          },
+          ipAddress: ctx.ip,
+          userAgent: ctx.userAgent,
+        })
+
+        return updated
+      })
+
+      return { success: true, assignedCount: result.count, roundId }
+    }),
 })