Registration is now open for the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge Final Competitions. We are actively seeking industry attendees to judge all aspects of the final competitions: the races, final presentations, and vehicle design reviews. Industry attendees also participate in exclusive networking opportunities to recruit the next generation of talented engineers. This is a great opportunity to engage with emerging engineers, provide valuable feedback, and help shape the future of fluid power. If you are interested in serving as a judge, please contact Mary Pluta at mpluta@nfpa.com to sign up!
Sun Hydraulics will host the first event at their facility in Sarasota, FL, from April 8-10, 2026. IFP Motion Solutions, inc. will host the second competition from April 15-17, 2026, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. IMI plc will host the third event at their facility in Rockford, IL, from April 22-24, 2026.
This year, 32 universities are participating, including all twelve NFPA Power Partner Universities: California Polytechnic State University, Cleveland State University, Iowa State University, Kennesaw State University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Murray State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Northern Illinois University, Purdue University, State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, Tennessee State University and University of Houston.
New Schools: We are excited to welcome Bucknell University, Pennsylvania State University, Oakland University, University of Houston, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as five new universities participating this year. We’re looking forward to seeing what these new teams can do!
To learn more about the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, visit our website.
Participation in the Vehicle Challenge is a key benefit of being a Pascal Society donor. If you are interested in engaging with top engineering talent, supporting workforce development, and having the opportunity to judge future competitions, we encourage you to join the Pascal Society. Learn more at on our website.