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Stellantis has officially announced the return of its Drive for Design contest for 2026, and this year the program is expanding in a big way. Originally focused on high school students, the contest is now opening the door to a much younger audience with the introduction of a brand-new Drive for Design Junior competition, allowing students from kindergarten through 9th grade to participate. 
The competition, hosted by Stellantis’ North America design team, challenges students to imagine the next generation of high-performance vehicles. This year’s theme, “Design the Future of Fast,” asks participants to create a next-generation SRT (Street and Racing Technology) vehicle using one of Stellantis’ core brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, or Ram. 
A key part of the contest is encouraging creativity and forward-thinking design, especially as the automotive industry continues to evolve with electrification and new technologies. Students are asked to push boundaries and rethink what performance could look like in the future—whether through new materials, advanced aerodynamics, or entirely new interpretations of speed and power. 
The new junior competition is split into three age groups (K–3, 4–6, and 7–9), with one winner selected from each group. Meanwhile, the traditional contest for grades 10–12 will continue, awarding a grand prize winner along with two finalists. 
Prizes go beyond just recognition, offering real opportunities for aspiring designers. The top high school winner earns eligibility for a summer internship with the Ram and SRT design team, while finalists receive mentorship opportunities, scholarships, and design-related prizes. 
The contest is led once again by Mark Trostle, head of Ram, Mopar, and SRT exterior design—who himself was once a student winner of the program, highlighting how the competition can serve as a true pathway into the automotive industry. 
Students must submit their designs by April 23, 2026, and entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and how well they capture the essence of performance design. 
Overall, the expanded 2026 Drive for Design contest shows Stellantis’ continued focus on developing the next generation of automotive talent while keeping performance design and SRT culture alive for the future.
Complete details can be found here: