USA Scholarships
BOBS Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship 2026
This guide stays up for reference. Check the official website for the next round, or see what else closes in September.
The BOBS from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship is a national design contest tied to Skechers'' animal-welfare BOBS line. Enrolled U.S. college students create an original cat or dog mosaic repeat print in Vector .ai format, share a shelter-pet story, and compete for one of two $10,000 scholarships for the 2027–2028 academic year. Winners also see their art on BOBS shoes sold nationwide, receive three virtual mentoring sessions, a $200 Skechers gift card, and free footwear. The 2026 contest runs 18 August through 15 September 2026, with potential winners notified 24 October 2026.
What is the BOBS from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship?
The BOBS from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship turns shelter-pet stories into retail-ready shoe art while putting serious tuition money on the table. Skechers has donated millions to animal welfare partners through BOBS, and this contest asks college creatives to join that mission with an original cat or dog mosaic that could land on shelves nationwide. You are not filing a generic essay scholarship; you are uploading production-grade Vector files and defending them with a personal narrative about rescue, foster care, or volunteer work.
Two grand prizes split the spotlight: one cat design winner and one dog design winner. Each receives $10,000 for the 2027–2028 academic year, mentoring from Skechers leaders, product perks, and the bragging rights of seeing classmates buy shoes bearing your print. The trade-off is visibility. Winners must show up for spring and June 2027 events so Skechers can capture content and highlight adoption partners.
The 2026 rules are strict about authenticity. AI-assisted artwork is out, school email addresses are in, and judges weigh whether your pattern actually reads on a shoe sole, not just on a poster. Start from Skechers templates, study past winners like the Hound Huggers and Kitten Kicks collections, and give yourself time to iterate before the 15 September 2026 cutoff.
If you are a freshman or sophomore designer hunting for portfolio fuel, this contest beats a small local stipend on prestige alone. Even finalists gain practice speaking about art direction, repeat patterns, and cause marketing, which transfers to fashion, graphic design, and product jobs beyond footwear.
Eligibility
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✓Age 18+ and U.S. residentYou must be at least eighteen and a full-time resident of the United States or District of Columbia for at least three months before entry. International students studying in the U.S. may enter if they meet residency and enrollment rules.
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✓Enrolled at an accredited U.S. two- or four-year collegeYou must be in good standing in Year 1 of a two-year program or Years 1–3 of a four-year program at an accredited U.S. college or university. Use your school email when the portal requests it.
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✓Available for 2027 in-person eventsWinners must be physically present in the United States and able to attend spring 2027 celebration or adoption content events and a June 2027 donation event. Missing required events can mean forfeiting prizes.
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✓Original human-made design (no AI)Submit your own Vector .ai mosaic pattern at 300 DPI or higher. Designs created wholly or partly with generative AI are void and may lead to disqualification.
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✓One entry per categoryYou may submit up to two entries total: one cat design and one dog design, each submitted separately. Duplicate entries in the same category can be deleted.
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✓Not a Skechers employee or household memberSkechers employees, contest vendors, and their immediate family or household members cannot enter. Review official rules if you interned with a Skechers affiliate.
Benefits
- Scholarship $10,000 for 2027–2028 tuition
- Production credit Winning print on BOBS footwear sold nationally
- Mentoring Three one-hour virtual sessions with Skechers staff
- Skechers product $200 gift card plus free BOBS shoes
- Approximate prize package value About $10,555 ARV per winner
- Room and board or travel stipend Not included; events require your own travel
- Renewable tuition for later years One-time scholarship only
Document checklist
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✓Vector shoe design (.ai)Upload a cat or dog mosaic shoe image using Skechers templates, 10 inch by 10 inch repeat, 300 DPI minimum, 100 MB max per file.
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✓Vector swatch file (.ai)Provide the matching swatch art in Vector .ai format at the same resolution and size limits so judges can evaluate print repeat quality.
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✓Design description and category tagState whether the pattern is cat or dog themed and briefly explain your design experience and artistic choices.
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✓Four short eligibility answersAnswer whether you are a design major, if a shelter pet inspired the work, whether you volunteered with animals, and if you or your family adopted or fostered pets.
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✓Shelter story essay or videoWrite a paragraph or record a video about what a rescued pet meant to your family or why the BOBS mission matters to you. Winning stories may be published by Skechers.
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✓College and advisor contactList your college name and faculty advisor or department head as required on the Reviewr application.
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✓School email and Reviewr accountRegister at my.reviewr.com/s2/site/bobsfromskechersdesignscholarship_2026 and submit through the official portal before the contest clock closes.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the BOBS from Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship?
It is a national contest where two U.S. college students, one cat category and one dog category, win $10,000 scholarships plus production of their footwear print on BOBS from Skechers shoes, mentoring, and Skechers product prizes.
How much is the Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship worth?
Each grand prize includes a $10,000 scholarship for the 2027–2028 school year paid toward tuition, shoe production, three mentoring sessions, a $200 Skechers gift card, and a free pair of BOBS shoes. Skechers lists the approximate retail value at $10,555 per winner.
When is the BOBS Paws for a Cause deadline in 2026?
The contest period runs from 18 August 2026 through 15 September 2026. Potential winners hear from Skechers on 24 October 2026 and must respond by 28 October 2026.
Can I use AI to create my BOBS scholarship design?
No. Official rules void submissions created wholly or partly with artificial intelligence or generative tools. You must handcraft the Vector .ai mosaic yourself.
Who is eligible for the BOBS design scholarship?
U.S. or D.C. residents age eighteen or older who are enrolled in good standing in Year 1 of a two-year college or Years 1–3 of a four-year college. You must be available for required 2027 in-person events and cannot be a Skechers employee or immediate family member.
Can I enter both the cat and dog categories?
Yes. You may submit one cat design and one dog design, but only one entry per category. Duplicate entries in the same category may be removed.
How are BOBS Paws for a Cause designs judged?
Judges score design experience and artistic merit (40%), how well the pattern works on footwear (40%), and the personal animal story (20%). Top entries in each category advance to a leadership panel for final selection.
Where do I apply for the BOBS Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship?
Apply only through the official Reviewr site at my.reviewr.com/s2/site/bobsfromskechersdesignscholarship_2026. Scholarship questions go to [email protected].
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