15 Research Competitions for High School Students
Research competitions can be a strong way to push your academic interests beyond the classroom while giving you a clearer sense of how inquiry works in practice. Whether you’re writing a research essay, designing an experiment, building a technical proposal, or presenting original findings, these competitions often ask you to think more deeply, work more independently, and defend your ideas with evidence. That process can be academically rewarding on its own, but it can also strengthen your CV by showing initiative, subject-specific interest, and the ability to follow through on a demanding project. Many of these programs are run by reputable universities, scientific organizations, and established educational institutions, which adds credibility to the experience.
Why should you participate in research competitions in high school?
Research competitions can help you build practical academic skills that are useful well beyond the contest itself, including analysis, writing, problem-solving, time management, and clear communication. They are also one of the more accessible ways to gain experience in a subject area, especially if you want a structured goal to work toward without needing a formal internship or lab placement first. Since most competitions run on fixed deadlines, you also learn how to manage a project under a tight timeline, revise your work efficiently, and make decisions under pressure. Some competitions additionally create opportunities to meet mentors, judges, or like-minded students, which can broaden your understanding of the field and expose you to different ways of thinking.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down our list to 15 research competitions for high school students you can explore.
If you’re looking for AI competitions, check out our blog here.
1. ExploraVision
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Prizes: First Prize (4 teams): U.S. EE Savings Bond worth $10,000 at maturity for each student, and many other prizes
Dates: Regional winners are announced on March 12, national winners on April 28, Explora Awards Weekend on June 3–6
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: High school students from the U.S. and Canada
ExploraVision asks you to work in a team to rethink an existing technology and imagine what it could look like 20 years from now. You’ll research how the technology works today, study its history and current limitations, and then map out the scientific advances needed to make its future version possible. The competition blends STEM research with forecasting, design thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. You’ll need to explain both the technical aspects of your idea and its broader impact on everyday life. The project is team-based and helps build skills in communication, planning, and effective research division.
2. Horizon Academic Essay Prize
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Prizes: Top entries will receive cash prizes of up to $ 1,000 and full scholarships to the Horizon Academic Research Program. Selected essays will be published and featured on Horizon’s website.
Dates: Winners announced on March 1
Application deadline: February 1.
Eligibility: Students from any country enrolled in high school can apply. More details on eligibilityhere
The Horizon Academic Essay Prize is a selective essay contest for high school students from around the world. Each essay will be evaluated by Horizon’s Academic Advisory Board, composed of faculty from top institutions like Yale, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge. Last year, ~2,000 students from around the world entered, andwinners were awarded $474.5K in cash prizes and scholarships.Submissions must take the form of a formal academic essay, written in English, and should include a clear thesis, structured argumentation, engagement with relevant sources, and critical analysis of competing viewpoints. The competition encourages depth over breadth, and will reward essays that pursue a well-defined line of inquiry with originality and nuance. Entries are judged on five criteria: originality, depth of analysis, use of evidence, structure and coherence, and clarity of language.
3. Davidson Fellows
Location: Virtual; Awards reception and recognition events are held in Washington, DC
Cost: None
Prizes: Scholarships of $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000
Dates: Not applicable
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 or younger as of the application deadline, and a U.S. citizen residing in the United States, or a Permanent Resident, or be stationed overseas due to active U. S. military duty
Davidson Fellows recognizes students who have completed a major piece of original work, whether in science, engineering, mathematics, literature, music, philosophy, or another high-level field. For research-oriented students, that usually means submitting an advanced project that shows unusual depth, originality, and clear intellectual ownership. The application goes beyond a summary, so you need to explain what you created, why it matters, and how substantial the work really is. It is best suited to students who already have a polished, independent body of work rather than those looking for a prompt-based competition. Strong entries usually combine technical ability with the ability to communicate significance clearly and thoughtfully.
4. Lumiere Scholars Essay Award
Location: Virtual
Prizes: Winners will receive $11,000 in cash and scholarships.
Dates: Submissions open March 9, winners announced on May 17.
Submission deadline: April 26
Eligibility: Students from any country enrolled in high school (as of December 31) can apply. More details on eligibilityhere
TheLumiere Scholars Essay Award is an international essay competition open to high school students (grades 9 to 12) worldwide. 6 winners (1 Gold, 2 Silvers, 3 Bronzes) will share more than $11,000 in cash prizes and scholarships. Prompts are contributed by professors from Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia, Brown, and Dartmouth. As a participant, you will chooseone of the five prompts and submit an argumentative essay on the chosen question. Submissions should be formal academic essays, in English, featuring a clear central argument, well-organized reasoning, use of relevant sources, and thoughtful analysis of opposing perspectives. Entries are judged on five criteria: originality, analysis, evidence, structure, and presentation.
5. American Academy of Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Prizes: 3 winners will receive $1,000, be presented with a certificate of recognition, and have the opportunity to present their research at the AAN Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. Additionally, one winner will receive the Bhuwan Garg High School Neuroscience Research Prize, along with a $1,000 honorarium, a certificate of recognition, and the chance to present their work at the Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting.
Dates: Not applicable
Application Deadline: October 21
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in grades 9th-12th in the U.S
The American Academy of Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize is awarded to high school students who have completed original research on the brain, nervous system, or neurological conditions. You submit a research report along with supporting materials, so the competition is best for students who already have a project rather than those looking for a prompt to respond to. Topics can range from basic neuroscience and cognition to disease-focused work, as long as the project reflects genuine scientific inquiry. The competition rewards careful methodology, clear communication, and evidence that you understand the significance of your findings. A notable aspect is that selected students may also get the opportunity to present their work in a professional scientific setting.
6. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
Location: Regeneron Science Talent Institute, Washington, DC
Cost: None
Prizes: First-place prize is $250,000; Prizes are awarded at all stages of the competition
Dates: Top 300 announced January 7; Top 40 announced January 21; Finals week March 5–11
Application Deadline: November 6
Eligibility: Students must be high school seniors in the U.S. who have completed individual, independent research
Regeneron STS is one of the most rigorous research competitions in the U.S. for high school seniors who have completed substantial independent research. The application is more involved than a standard science fair submission, since it also asks for essays, recommendations, academic records, and a detailed explanation of your project. That means the competition evaluates not just the research itself, but also how clearly you can communicate your thinking, motivation, and scientific judgment. Projects can come from a wide range of STEM fields, but the strongest entries usually show depth, originality, and a clear understanding of the work’s broader context.
7. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Cost: None
Prizes: First-prize winner gets a $15,000 scholarship, a trophy, and $5000 for their school
Dates: U.S. National competition: May/June | International SJWP competition, World Water Week: August
Application Deadline: Regional winners and self-nominated students must enter the State Competition by April 15
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in grades 9th-12th, have conducted a water-related science project, and be at least 15 years of age by August 1
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize centers on research projects related to water, including water quality, conservation, treatment, management, and public health. To compete, you need a project that identifies a real water-related problem and investigates it using sound scientific methods or engineering design. Strong entries usually combine practical relevance with careful data collection, analysis, and a clear explanation of why the work matters. It is a good match for students whose work falls within environmental science, civil engineering, sustainability, or applied chemistry.
8. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Cost: $25 registration fee
Prizes: Winners receive scholarships up to $75,000, with $9 million in additional prizes
Dates: May 9–15
Application Deadline: Final deadline for abstract rewrites by all finalists: April 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12, under age 20, and winners of an affiliated science fair
Regeneron ISEF is one of the largest international science research competitions for high school students and brings together finalists who qualify through affiliated regional or state fairs. Students present original research or engineering projects across a wide range of categories, from biomedical science and chemistry to computer science and environmental engineering. ISEF tends to draw students who have already developed and defended a strong project at earlier levels of competition. Success depends not only on having a solid idea but also on understanding your methods, results, and limitations well enough to discuss them in depth with judges.
9. Clean Tech Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Prizes: $20,000 in total prizes
Dates: Rolling submissions
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students globally
The Clean Tech Competition invites students to identify an environmental problem and design a technology-based solution that is practical, research-informed, and clearly argued. Projects usually focus on issues such as waste, pollution, energy, water, or other sustainability challenges, with an emphasis on how clean technology could reduce harm or improve outcomes. The competition expects you to research the causes and scale of the issue, explain affected communities, and evaluate the likely effects of your solution. Winning entries typically combine technical thinking with feasibility, systems analysis, and clear written communication.
10. Future Problem Solving World Solutions Challenge
Location: Virtual or in-person through regional affiliates (students without locations near them can participate virtually)
Cost: $100
Prizes: Free registration to the FPS International Conference, individual medals, and travel stipends
Dates: Topic Announcement: March 1; Competition period: Late September to mid-October; International Conference (World Finals): June
Application Deadline: Varies based on regional affiliates
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12; teams of up to 4 members or individuals
The Future Problem Solving World Solutions Challenge asks students to analyze complex future scenarios and develop structured responses using a formal problem-solving process. Depending on the format, you may work individually or in a team to research a topic, identify major challenges, and develop a detailed action plan to address them. The competition emphasizes critical thinking, pattern recognition, and the ability to move from broad global issues to specific, workable solutions. Topics often connect to technology, society, ethics, and sustainability, so it appeals to students who like interdisciplinary analysis. Participants receive rubric-based feedback, so the process can also help you improve your reasoning and organization over time.
11. Genes in Space
Location: miniPCR bio and partners; virtual submission with later camp/mentorship components
Cost: None
Prizes: 5 Finalist Awards, 5 Junior Scientist Awards, Constellation Awards, 10 Honorable Mentions
Dates: Mentoring: June - July; Winners announced: July; Space Biology Camp: Fall
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12 at U.S. public, private, or homeschool institutions, including U.S. territories
Genes in Space asks students to design a DNA-focused experiment that could be carried out in space, with a particular emphasis on molecular biology and genetic analysis. You do not need to have access to a lab to enter, since the competition is centered on the strength of your scientific idea and how clearly you can justify it. To do well, you need to identify a meaningful research question, explain its biological basis, and propose an experiment that makes realistic use of the tools available to astronauts. The competition also develops proposal writing, experimental design, and scientific communication skills. What makes it especially distinctive is that the winning idea can move beyond a student concept and become part of an actual space-based experiment process.
12. Genius Olympiad
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Cost: $60 application fee per project
Prizes: Special awards, plus other awards
Dates: GENIUS Finals: June 8-12
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 (between 13-17 years of age)
GENIUS Olympiad is an international competition built around environmental issues, with categories that extend beyond science to include engineering, business, robotics, and other fields. If you enter through a STEM category, you are typically presenting research, a technical model, or a project that addresses a real environmental challenge. The competition works well for students whose interests combine scientific investigation with sustainability, since projects are expected to be both thoughtful and environmentally relevant. Depending on the category, you may need to show originality, technical understanding, and a clear sense of practical application.
13. iGEM Competition
Location: Paris, France
Cost: None
Prizes: Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to multiple outstanding teams (there is no limit to the number of medals awarded); Grand Prizes are awarded to 2 to 3 winning teams from each category
Dates: November 13–16 (Jamboree).
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school students interested in biological research
iGEM is a synthetic biology competition in which student teams design and test biological systems to solve real-world problems. Projects typically draw from genetics, molecular biology, bioengineering, and computation, so the competition tends to be best suited to students who are comfortable with collaborative, interdisciplinary work. The competition format stands out for combining experimental biology with public documentation, presentation, and systems-level thinking. As part of a team, you do more than just run experiments – you also document your process, explain your design choices, and think about the broader implications of your project.
14. MIT THINK Scholars Program
Location: Virtual and on MIT’s campus, MA
Cost: None
Prizes: Winners receive up to $1000 seed funding and continued mentorship from the MIT THINK team
Dates: Finalists are expected to complete their projects by June
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school students with permanent residence in the United States
MIT THINK is a proposal-based research competition for students with a strong science, technology, or engineering idea who have not yet fully completed the project. Instead of submitting finished results, you apply by writing a detailed proposal that explains your question, background research, methods, and why the project is worth pursuing. That makes it particularly useful for students who are still in the early stages of developing an ambitious idea and need structure, feedback, or seed support to move it forward. The competition values originality and feasibility, so a clear plan matters just as much as a creative concept. Students also gain experience in proposal writing.
15. Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Prizes: $250,000 in educational prizes for the winning student, $50,000 for the teacher who inspired them, and a cutting-edge science lab for their school, valued at $100,000
Dates: To be announced (winner declaration)
Application Deadline: September 15
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a science communication competition in which students create a short video explaining a major idea in physics, mathematics, or the life sciences. It is not a research project competition in the traditional sense, but it is still a strong option for students who understand technical material deeply and can explain it clearly to others. The video can take a range of forms, including animation, demonstrations, or documentary-style storytelling, as long as the scientific explanation remains accurate and engaging. To do well, you need both conceptual clarity and the ability to present difficult ideas in a way that feels understandable without becoming simplistic.
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