How It Works

The Vehicle Challenge supports the education of next generation engineers by exposing them to the design challenges associated with a fluid powered vehicle, and teaching them the value of fluid power components, circuits, and systems. In addition, the program provides these students with first-hand experience in working as an engineering team on a timeline to design, simulate, build, test, qualify, and compete with their concepts.

Putting Designs to the Test

The months-long design and build portion of the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenges culminates in a competition between schools to test the limits of their creations. The Vehicle Challenge expands each year. Three separate competitive events will be held in the current cycle, ensuring that students from over 25 universities can participate and more NFPA Foundation donors can connect with these students.

Want to get involved? Contact us at workforce@nfpa.com.

Program Timeline

Phase 1 - Kick Off: September-October

Review Overview, Rules, and Awards document
Register team, adviser, and all team members.
Learn about fluid power technology and watch the Fluid Power Safety video.
Become familiar with the program contacts and industry mentors
Attend the Kick-Off Webinar
Work with the Industry Mentors and Technical Liaisons to identify project objectives and make a plan

Phase 2 - Design and Specification Midway Review: October-December

Review the FPVC Assessment Rubric
Watch pre-recorded videos on the Educational Webinars page offered by one of the technical liaisons, component suppliers, and industry supporters
Investigate concepts from previous years' designs on the Meet the Teams page
Create initial design to illustrate the fluid power control circuits
Simulate design and perform dynamic, fluid flow, expected performance, and other analyses
Using the Midway Review Template, present project objectives at the Design and Specification Midway Review Webinar
Choose and order components

Phase 3 - Build and Test: December-March

Activities:

Receive parts and begin to construct vehicle prototypes
Build, test and make adjustments to the vehicle

Phase 4 - Verification Review: December-March

Activities:

Only operational vehicles will be able to compete
Send video of vehicle in operation to Program Managers and Technical Liaisons
Register for the Final Competition
Receive shipping instructions from Program Managers, prepare vehicle
Review travel procedures and make arrangements

Phase 5 - Final Competition: April

Activities:

Using the Presentation Template, prepare and submit the final presentation
Final Presentations will be posted on the Meet the Teams page after the Final Competition
Final Competition will be hosted by donors to the NFPA Foundation’s Pascal Society

Meet Our Final Competition Hosts

Sun_2_5x7 RGB_2-01 (002) Sun Hydraulics, a global leader in hydraulic solutions, has been setting industry standards since 1970 with its innovative screw-in, floating cartridge construction and cavity design offering precise, reliable performance in demanding high-pressure and flow rate applications.

April 8-10, 2026
Sarasota, Florida

ifp_logo-0234_PNG-300x189

IFP Motion Solutions Inc. is a distributor of hydraulic power units and automation systems. They specialize in field service, repairs, engineering and electronic integration. They provide a complete line of industrial and mobile hydraulics and pneumatics.

April 15-17,2026
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

IMI logo w.product brands P

IMI plc, the specialist engineering company, designs, manufactures and services highly engineered products that control the precise movement of fluids. Its innovative technologies, built around valves and actuators, enable vital processes to operate safely, cleanly, efficiently and cost effectively.

April 22-24,2026
Rockford, Illinois

Program Essentials

Meet The Teams

Teams are encouraged to investigate concepts from the previous year’s program. See what universities are competing and review previous submissions.

Meet the Teams Now!

Educational Webinars

There are a series of videos that are available for student teams to download and review to learn more about fluid power as it relates to the Vehicle Challenge program, including the MANDATORY safety video and PowerPoint.

View Now

Stipends and Travel

One team per university will be funded through the program through stipend disbursements and reimbursement for travel to the Final Competition.

Industry Involvement

At least one Industry Mentor is assigned to each team to coach them throughout the year. Industry Judges participate in the assessment and scoring of each team and determine category winners at the Final Competition.

Awards

Over $14,000 can be awarded in prizes to teams that place in several categories! Award funds are issued either directly to students or to the home university to support future program efforts.