Google just supercharged its annual student art competition with the biggest format overhaul in the contest's 17-year history. The Doodle for Google 2025-26 program now crowns five finalists instead of one, each receiving $10,000 scholarships and homepage features, while shifting from spring to fall timing to better sync with the academic calendar.
Google is betting big on student creativity with a dramatic expansion of its flagship educational program. The company's Doodle for Google contest, now in its 17th year, just got its most significant makeover since launch - multiplying winners from one to five and shifting the entire timeline to better serve schools nationwide.
The changes reflect Google's growing focus on educational technology partnerships. Instead of crowning a single national winner, the revamped contest will now feature five finalists, each receiving a $10,000 college scholarship, a Chromebook, and the coveted honor of seeing their artwork featured on Google's homepage. From those five, judges and national voting will select one National Winner who receives an additional $45,000 scholarship - bringing their total to $55,000 - plus a $50,000 technology package for their school.
"We're kicking off a new approach to Doodle for Google that will bring more student artwork to the Google homepage, allow us to celebrate winners in bigger ways and better align with the academic year," Google announced Wednesday. The timing shift from spring to fall represents a strategic move to increase classroom adoption during peak academic planning periods.
This year's theme, "My superpower is...," invites K-12 students across the US, Puerto Rico, territories, and military families abroad to explore personal strengths through digital art. The contest runs from October 15 through December 10, 2025, giving educators a full semester to integrate the program into curricula.
The judging panel signals Google's broader push into educational partnerships. NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo brings star power to the mix - the nine-time All-Star and 2021 NBA champion has increasingly focused on youth education through his Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation and Antetokounmpo Academy. Joining him is Ashlie Crosson, Pennsylvania's 2025 National Teacher of the Year, who teaches Advanced Placement composition and runs journalism programs at Mifflin County High School.
The contest expansion comes as Google doubles down on educational technology. The company's Chromebook dominance in US classrooms - holding over 40% market share according to recent Futuresource data - provides a natural pipeline for students familiar with Google's ecosystem. By featuring five winners instead of one on its homepage, Google amplifies its educational brand visibility while generating more positive classroom associations.