Engineers of Tomorrow: Formula Student

Formula Student challenges university teams to design, build and compete with a single-seater race car. But it is about much more than what happens on the track.

From design and manufacturing to budgeting and presenting, students work together to solve real engineering challenges. It is an opportunity to put learning into practice, develop technical and professional skills, and gain experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

We understand that building a Formula Student car takes time, commitment and access to the right products. That’s why we’re offering selected teams £1,000 worth of RS products, including VAT, to support their 2027 build.

Whether your team needs components, tools or equipment for your workshop, tell us how RS products could help bring your design to life.

What selected teams will receive

Each selected team will receive:

• £1,000 worth of RS products

This includes VAT and can be used to order eligible products from RS to support your Formula Student build.

For successful teams outside the UK, the award will be provided at the equivalent value in local currency.

Product donations are subject to applicable export controls and product availability. These requirements may cause delays or mean that some products cannot be supplied.

Where customs charges apply, these costs may be reimbursed where suitable evidence of payment is provided.

Engineers of Tomorrow: Formula Student Funding is designed to help students learn by doing.

Teams are encouraged to identify their technical requirements, justify their product choices and demonstrate how RS support will contribute to their project and long-term capabilities.

Selected teams will also have opportunities to share their progress, technical learning and product experiences through DesignSpark, helping other students and engineering teams learn from their successes and challenges.

Who can apply?

To apply, your team must:

• Be a registered Formula Student team
• Have team members who are all aged 18 or over at the time of entry
• Have a registered DesignSpark account - Sign up for free here

The application process is straightforward.

We’ll ask you to tell us about:

• Your Formula Student team
• Your project and competition goals
• The technical skills your team is developing
• The challenges you are working to overcome
• How you would use £1,000 worth of RS products
• How the products would help you achieve your competition objectives

Make sure your application is specific. We want to understand what your team is building, what you need and the difference our support could make.

Key dates

Applications open: 5 November 2026

Applications close: 20 January 2027

Selected teams announced: 5 February 2027

We recommend submitting your application early. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

What we ask from selected teams

If your application is successful, your team will be asked to:

• Sign a simple funding agreement
• Create a short social media video
• Share & tag RS in relevant social media content
• Order your products from RS using the guidance provided
• Share updates on your build
• Write a DesignSpark article about your experience

Your article could cover your team’s progress, key learnings, engineering challenges, product reviews or plans for the competition.

Supporting documents:

• Read the Terms & Conditions here
• Social Media Post Guidance
• DesignSpark Article Guidance

Engineers of Tomorrow is our global youth programme, helping young people develop the skills, experience and connections they need to shape the future of engineering.

Through funding, products, competitions, practical experiences and partnerships, we support young people to turn their ideas into reality, develop practical engineering skills and prepare for the world of work.

Engineers of Tomorrow is part of the RS Better World Fund, which brings together our social impact activity to champion future engineers, strengthen communities and support innovative solutions that improve lives.

Engineers of Tomorrow: Formula Student is one of the ways we are bringing this ambition to life, giving university teams access to products that can help them apply their learning, overcome real engineering challenges and take their builds from concept to competition.

Email them to us at YouthCommunity@rs.rsgroup.com