Project Yellow Light Scholarship 2026: Win Up to $8,000

The Project Yellow Light Scholarship is a unique competition designed to bring about change. It was founded by the family of Hunter Garner, a 16-year-old who lost his life in a car crash caused by a distracted driver in 2007 . His family started this scholarship to honor his memory and to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families.

Here is the core idea behind the scholarship: people know distracted driving is dangerous, but they do it anyway . As an applicant, you have one clear mission—to create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that encourages your peers to avoid distracted driving, specifically using mobile devices while driving.

The competition challenges high school and college students to produce compelling videos, billboard designs, or radio spots focused on safe driving . Winning entries do not just earn scholarship money; they have the potential to be turned into national PSAs distributed across television stations, billboards, and radio networks throughout the United States .

In this post, we will explain everything you need to know about the Project Yellow Light Scholarship for 2026—from the three competition categories and eligibility requirements to submission deadlines and tips for creating a winning entry.

Why Choose Project Yellow Light?

Understanding the origin of this scholarship adds depth to your application. Hunter Garner was a typical teenager with his whole life ahead of him. In 2007, at just 16 years old, he was killed in a car crash involving a distracted driver .

His family refused to let his death be meaningless. They channeled their grief into action by creating Project Yellow Light. The color yellow symbolizes caution—the caution drivers should exercise every time they get behind the wheel. The organization’s mission is to bring about change and encourage young drivers to develop and embrace safe driving habits .

When you apply for this scholarship, you become part of Hunter’s legacy. Your creativity can help save lives by speaking to your peers in a way that adults cannot .

Three Competition Categories for Project Yellow Light 2026

The Project Yellow Light Scholarship features three separate contests. You may enter one, two, or all three categories, and you can submit up to three entries per contest . Each category has its own deadline and award structure.

Video Competition

Award Amount: $8,000 for the first-place winner in both high school and college categories
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026

The video competition is the flagship category of Project Yellow Light. Your task is to create a video that motivates, persuades, and encourages your peers to avoid distracted driving. Here are the technical requirements you must follow:

Video length: Exactly 10 to 25 seconds
Why these lengths matter: If your video wins, the Ad Council will add a five-second end frame to create a 15-second or 30-second PSA for national distribution
Content restrictions: No footage of anyone using a phone while driving
Safety rules: All passengers must properly wear seat belts

The winning video has an extraordinary opportunity. It will be turned into an Ad Council PSA and distributed nationally to approximately 1,800 television stations during a full-year cycle .

Billboard Design Competition

Award Amount: $2,000 for the first-place winner in both high school and college categories
Submission Deadline: March 1, 2026

If you have a talent for graphic design, the billboard competition might be your best fit. You will create a billboard design that delivers a powerful anti-distracted driving message in a single, impactful image.

Important note: Billboard designs were due March 1, 2026. If you are reading this after that date, focus your energy on the video and radio competitions, which have later deadlines.

The winning billboard design may be considered for use as an Out of Home/Outdoor PSA by the Ad Council. Clear Channel Outdoor has partnered with Project Yellow Light to feature winning work on billboards throughout the United States. So this is a great shot worth taking.

Radio Competition

Award Amount: $2,000 for the first-place winner in both high school and college categories
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026

The radio competition challenges you to create an audio PSA that captures attention and delivers its message effectively without visuals. This category is perfect for students with strong writing skills or an interest in audio production.

Technical requirements:

Radio spot length: Exactly 20 seconds
Why this matters: The Ad Council will add a 10-second branding voice-over at the end to create a 30-second spot

The winning radio spot may be broadcast on iHeartRadio stations and other radio networks across the nation .

Who Is Eligible for the Project Yellow Light Scholarship?

Before you invest time in creating your entry, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. The scholarship is open to two distinct groups of students .

High School Students

Must be high school juniors or seniors
Age range: 14 to 20 years old
Must complete graduation requirements by or before July 31, 2026 (or 2027, depending on your graduation year)

College Students

Must be undergraduate college students
Age range: 15 to 25 years old

Team Applications

Here is a unique feature of this scholarship: you can apply in teams! Teams may include no more than four people . If your team wins, the scholarship prize will be evenly distributed among all members.

This team option opens up creative possibilities. You could collaborate with friends who have complementary skills—one person writes the script, another handles filming, and another edits the video.

How to Apply for the Project Yellow Light Scholarship?

Now that you understand the categories and eligibility requirements, let us walk through the application process from start to finish.

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Start by visiting the official Project Yellow Light website at www.projectyellowlight.com. This is your primary source for:

Official rules and guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources, including music you can use in your submissions
The application portal

Step 2: Choose Your Category or Categories

Decide which competition(s) you want to enter. Remember, you can enter all three contests, and you can submit up to three entries per contest . This gives you multiple chances to win.

Step 3: Review the Official Rules Thoroughly

Do not skip this step. The official rules contain critical details about:

Content restrictions (no brand names or logos)
Music usage guidelines
Technical specifications
Submission requirements

Reading the rules carefully can save you from creating an entry that gets disqualified on a technicality.

Step 4: Create Your PSA

This is where your creativity comes to life. Keep these key points in mind as you develop your entry:

Videos:

No footage of anyone using a phone while driving
All passengers must wear seat belts
Avoid brand names or logos in the background
Keep all unused footage—you may need it if you are selected as a winner

Music:

Use music provided on the Project Yellow Light resources page
Use original music written and owned solely by you
Use music for which you have express written permission

For all entries:

No brand names or logos
Focus on the message: encourage peers not to drive distracted

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Once your PSA is complete, submit it through the official website. Ensure you select the correct category and level (high school or college) when filling out your application information .

Step 6: Track Your Submission

After submitting, keep a record of your entry and monitor your email for any communications from the scholarship organizers.

Deadlines for Project Yellow Light Scholarship 2026

Mark these dates on your calendar. Missing a deadline means missing your opportunity.

Competition Category	Submission Deadline	Award Amount
Billboard Design	March 1, 2026	$2,000
Video	April 1, 2026	$8,000
Radio	April 1, 2026	$2,000

Note: The billboard deadline has already passed for 2026, but you still have time to prepare and submit video and radio entries before the April 1 deadline.

Tips for Creating a Winning Entry

Competition for these scholarships can be intense, but these tips will help your entry stand out.

Understand Your Audience

Your mission is to speak to your peers . Adults cannot deliver this message the same way you can. Use language, imagery, and concepts that resonate with young drivers. Show that you understand the temptations and pressures they face.

Focus on the Core Message

The central message is simple: do not use your phone while driving . Whether it is sending a text, commenting on a photo, or messaging friends in your favorite app, it is never okay to message while driving . Keep your PSA focused on this core idea.

Follow Technical Requirements Precisely

Videos must be exactly 10 or 25 seconds. Radio spots must be exactly 20 seconds . Entries that do not meet these requirements will likely be disqualified, no matter how creative they are.

Avoid Brand Names and Logos

This is a common reason for disqualification. Do not capture footage at Starbucks or Target. Do not show phone logos or service provider names . If your entry has visible branding, it cannot be selected as a winner because the PSA needs to run in donated media without commercial conflicts.

Be Safe While Creating

Project Yellow Light takes safety seriously. They do not accept footage of anyone using a phone while driving, and they require all passengers to wear seat belts . Follow these rules not just for the competition, but because they reinforce the very message you are trying to spread.

Use Approved Music

If you are using music, stick to the tracks provided on the Project Yellow Light website or use original music you created yourself. If you must use other music, get written permission and have it approved .

Tell a Story

The most memorable PSAs tell a story. They create an emotional connection with the viewer. Whether your story is happy, sad, shocking, or thought-provoking, make sure it leaves a lasting impression.

What Happens If You Win the Project Yellow Light Scholarship?

Winning the Project Yellow Light Scholarship brings rewards beyond the monetary award.

Scholarship Money

Video winners receive $8,000. Billboard and radio winners receive $2,000 . These funds can be used at the college, university, junior college, trade school, or technical college you plan to attend .

National Recognition

Your work could be seen or heard by millions of people across the country. The winning video may be distributed to approximately 1,800 television stations, and the winning billboard may appear on billboards nationwide through Clear Channel Outdoor . Equally, the winning radio spot may air on iHeartRadio stations across the nation .

Making a Difference

Most importantly, your PSA could save lives. By encouraging young drivers to put down their phones and focus on the road, you become part of the solution to distracted driving. You honor Hunter Garner’s memory by helping prevent other families from experiencing the same loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter more than one category?

Yes, absolutely. You are welcome to enter all three contests: video, billboard, and radio . You can submit up to three entries to each contest, giving you multiple opportunities to win.

Can I apply with a team?

Yes, you can apply in teams of no more than four people . If your team wins, the scholarship prize will be evenly distributed among all members.

What are the age requirements?

High school applicants must be between 14 and 20 years old. College applicants must be between 15 and 25 years old .

Why can’t I show someone using a phone while driving in my video?

This whole campaign is about anti-distractions. The last thing the organizers want is for you or someone in your film to be using a phone while driving a car . You can work around this by, for example, panning down to someone in the driver’s seat on their phone as long as they are not actually driving—the car could be parked, just don’t show outside the window.

What about music rights?

If you are using music, use tracks provided on the Project Yellow Light resources page, original music you created, or music for which you have express written permission . All such permissions must be approved by Project Yellow Light.

Why can’t I include brand names or logos?

If your footage has branding or logos, your entry may not be selected as a winner . Since the winning entry could run as a national PSA in donated media, the organizers cannot use any logos or brand names that do not belong to them or for which they lack permission.

When are the deadlines for 2026?

Billboard designs were due March 1, 2026. Video and radio submissions are due April 1, 2026 .

How much are the scholarships?

Video winners receive $8,000. Billboard and radio winners receive $2,000 .

Where can I find the official rules?

Visit the official Project Yellow Light website at www.projectyellowlight.com and navigate to their FAQ or Official Rules section .

Who can I contact with questions?

You can contact Julie Garner at jgarner@adcouncil.org or by mail at One Shockoe Plaza, Richmond, Virginia 23219 .

You may also like: Scholarships for Hispanic Students 2026

Make Your Voice Heard

The Project Yellow Light Scholarship offers you a unique opportunity to combine creativity with a life-saving message. You have the chance to win scholarship money, gain national recognition, and make a real difference in the world.

The video and radio deadlines are approaching on April 1, 2026. Do not wait until the last week to start creating. Begin brainstorming your ideas today, gather your team if you are working with others, and visit the official website to review all requirements.

Remember Hunter Garner’s story. Let it inspire you to create something powerful. Your PSA could be the one that makes a young driver think twice before picking up their phone.

At Opportunity Hook, we believe that every student has a voice worth hearing. Use yours to spread this critical message. Apply now and become part of the movement for safer roads.

Have you created a PSA for Project Yellow Light before? Share your experience in the comments below! Subscribe to our newsletter for more scholarship opportunities, creative contest updates, and educational resources.