RS is excited to announce that entries are now open for the Formula Student Build Fund 2025, an initiative designed to support university engineering teams worldwide as they take on one of the most prestigious challenges in student engineering. Teams can apply to receive £1,000 worth of RS products, which can be converted to local currency equivalents, to help bring their engineering visions to life.

“Formula Student is more than just a competition; it is a platform for students to experience the real-world challenges of engineering and teamwork,” says Wesley Hood, Education and Social Impact Specialist at RS South Africa. Through the Build Fund, RS is proud to play a part in their journey, providing critical resources that will allow teams to develop innovative designs and practical skills that are essential in today’s engineering landscape.

Formula Student invites university teams to design, build, and race a single-seater car from scratch. However, this challenge goes beyond the race track; teams are also evaluated on elements such as design, cost-efficiency, and presentation. Participating in Formula Student is a hands-on opportunity for students to tackle the technical and practical aspects of engineering, all while honing teamwork and project management skills in a multidisciplinary setting.

Hood stresses the importance of this experience, adding, “Building a Formula Student car is complex and demanding, both technically and financially. Our support through the Build Fund allows students to focus more on innovation and less on resource constraints, making a real impact on their learning experience.”

Applications opened on 1 November 2024 and close on 19 January 2025, with the winners announced on 5 February 2025. To apply, teams need to share details about their goals, team structure, and how they plan to leverage the fund to excel in the competition. Additionally, teams are encouraged to highlight the technical skills they are developing, and how RS’s support will aid in achieving their competition objectives.

Previous recipients of the Build Fund have used the opportunity to make remarkable progress in their builds, gaining invaluable experience. Teams interested in learning more can explore articles from past winners to gain insights into effective development strategies and best practices.