Announcing the 2026 MathWorks Simulation Award for SAE Aero Design Teams

The 2026 MathWorks Simulation Award is now open for submissions. This award recognizes teams that demonstrate innovative and effective use of MATLAB and Simulink in designing their aircraft for the SAE Aero Design competitions at both the East and West events.

The top three submissions at each competition will receive cash prizes and recognition during the SAE Aero Design awards ceremony:

• First place: $500
• Second place: $300
• Third place: $200

Winning teams will also be invited to collaborate with MathWorks on a feature blog for the Student Lounge Blog and will be spotlighted across MathWorks social media.

To enter, teams must submit a three-minute video showing how they used MATLAB or Simulink to solve a specific design challenge during their project. Videos should be creative, visually engaging, and presented in a vertical format optimized for Instagram Reels. Submissions must include a clear explanation of the problem addressed, how MathWorks tools were used, and key lessons learned.

Submission Deadlines:

• Aero Design East: March 1, 2026
• Aero Design West: March 16, 2026

Teams can view the full award details, scoring rubric, and submission process in the official document here:

2026 MathWorks Simulation Award Criteria Overview

Note: This file can also be found in the MathWorks Simulation Award folder within Series Resources.

For questions, contact [email protected].