# Cheeky Prom-Inspired Contests Duck Brand Hosts Its Annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-03-12 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stuck-at-prom-scholarship References: [duckbrand](https://www.duckbrand.com/stuck-at-prom?utm_campaign=dt-stuck-at-prom-2026&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=release&utm_content=announcement-release&utm_term=pr)  [Duck Brand](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-sprinkle-day-offer) has announced the return of its 26th annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest, a competition that invites high school students across the United States and Canada to [design and create original prom attire](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sidex) entirely from Duck Tape for the chance to win [scholarship money](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/live-ms-scholarships) and other prizes. In essence, the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest provides a platform for young people to showcase their ingenuity and hard work, with the potential to earn significant financial awards that can help fund their future education. Duck Brand is committing a $10,000 grand prize for both the dress and tuxedo categories. Three runner-ups will receive a $1,000 prize. In 2026, the company introduces new award categories, such as the patriotic-themed Red, White & Made By You prize in celebration of America's upcoming semiquincentennial. Image Credit: Duck Brand ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 17% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 68% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Do-it-yourself Upcycled Fashion:** Young creators transforming unconventional materials into wearable art suggests new marketplaces and supply chains centered on sustainable, low-cost couture. - **Brand-led Youth Scholarship Programs:** Corporate-sponsored contests that tie financial aid to creative engagement reveal pathways for brands to become originators of talent pipelines and educational funding models. - **Seasonal and Thematic User-generated Contests:** Time-bound, themed competitions that drive mass participation indicate potential for platforms that monetize timely cultural moments and aggregated creator content. ### Who This Affects Most - **Education and Scholarship Services:** Scholarship ecosystems centered on experiential competitions point to hybrid funding models combining marketing budgets with financial aid distribution. - **Apparel and Fast-fashion Retail:** Retailers sourcing designs from grassroots DIY communities could disrupt traditional design cycles with hyper-localized, trend-responsive micro-collections. - **Marketing and Brand Engagement Platforms:** Platforms that facilitate large-scale creative contests and reward ecosystems suggest new offerings for brands to scale participatory campaigns and owned media. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tattoo-Based Soda Sweepstakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/las-vegas-giveaway.md) - [Fishing-Focused Fundraising Sweepstakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hooked-on-habitat.md) - [Bartering-Focused Frozen Pizza Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-baron.md) - [Skincare Brand Grant Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/face-the-future-initiative.md) - [Playful Childhood-Inspired Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rock-paper-prizes-promotion.md) - [Gen Z Dorm Makeovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dream-dorm-makeover-contest.md) - [Weland Conservation Fundraiseres](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/duck-and-run-2025.md) - [Children-Focused Design Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-artists-design-contest.md) - [Unique Pen-Brand Sweepstakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/songwriting-sweepstakes.md)