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Simulink Student Challenge 2025

MathWorks celebrates the talent, creativity, and innovative spirit of students. We aim to showcase student’s innovative projects with the annual Simulink Student Challenge. In this challenge, you’ll have the opportunity to win up to $1000 (USD) by submitting a short original video that shows what you’ve accomplished using Simulink.

All students, including undergraduate and graduate, are encouraged to participate. Projects from any discipline and level of complexity are also welcome. The key is to show us your creativity and to use Simulink. Find inspiration by checking out the projects in winning videos from recent challenges here.

Don’t have MATLAB installed on your computer? Use Simulink Online to work on your models from your internet browser.

Contact us with questions you may have.

Register for the Challenge Submit Your Entry

Challenge Details

Prizes for Winning Teams

  • First place: $1,000 (USD)
  • Second place: $500 (USD)
  • Third place: $300 (USD)

Important Dates

  • Submission deadline: January 14, 2026 (1 p.m. EST)
  • Judging: January 17 – February 17, 2026
  • Winners announced: March 02, 2026

Join us for an exclusive online session on how to excel in the Simulink Student Challenge. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable tips and insights! Join Session

How to Enter

  1. Create a short original video that includes:
    • An introduction of your problem or application
    • A demonstration of how you used Simulink
  2. Upload your video to YouTube or BiliBili (China only) with the tag “#SimulinkStudentChallenge2025” in the title of your video.
  3. Submit an entry form by January 9, 2026 (1 p.m. ET)

Judging

  • All entries will be judged by MathWorks application support engineers on a 100-point scale using these criteria:
    • Appropriateness of entry to contest theme (30-point maximum)
    • Creativity and originality of the video (40-point maximum)
    • Depth of knowledge demonstrated in the challenge solution (30-point maximum)
  • If two or more videos receive the same winning score, the tie-breaker will be decided first based on the highest score in the appropriateness of entry to contest theme category, then the creativity and originality category, then the depth of product knowledge demonstrated category.
  • The top three winners will be notified via email and announced on this page. Social media posts may also be used to announce the winners.
  • Decisions by the judges are final.

Challenge Rules

  • You must currently be an enrolled student at a degree-granting institution. 
  • MathWorks employees are not eligible. 
  • Video and titles must be in English.
  • Video length should be three to five minutes, but no longer than six minutes.
  • Teams can enter, but each team should designate only one representative per entry who receives the prize should that team win. 
  • Participation is free. 

Find inspiration by checking out the projects in winning videos from past Simulink Student Challenge winners.

Don’t have MATLAB installed on your computer? Use Simulink Online and access Simulink from your web browser. 

MathWorks Challenge Projects Program

Are you looking for a design or research project idea with real industry relevance? The MathWorks Challenge Projects Program describes inspiring projects based on industry trends for your capstone or final-year assignment or master’s thesis. Below are a few of the projects from the list.

Adaptive Palletizing with Simulation Optimization

Create a flexible robotics palletizing system that adapts to varying box sizes and configurations.

Battery Fast Charging Optimization

Optimize lithium-ion battery charging strategies while preserving longevity and safety.

Satellite Collision Avoidance

Develop a fault-tolerant controller for a quadcopter using model-based reinforcement learning.

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