Top 20 Science Competitions for School Students with Prize Money

Checkout Top 20 Science Competitions for School Students with prize money and scholarships. Every year, thousands of high school students across the world gain valuable boost towards prestigious careers in scientific research getting scholarships, internships, summer programs, awards, and prizes from a variety of academic, government, and nonprofit organizations working in scientific research.

Through these Science, Competitions vary in terms of content and experience, each of them supports opportunities to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Students get opportunities to interact with top scientists and professionals which gives them encouragement, inspiration, self-confidence, skills improvement, polishing, and credentials important to colleges,  universities, and future employers. And many young researchers turn their summer experiences into competitive science projects, vying for hundreds of thousands in scholarship dollars offered annually by organizations supporting the goals of STEM education.

Below are 20 Best Science Competitions for School Students that are most prestigious and well-respected in the world:

Top 10 Science Competitions for School Students

1. Regeneron Science Talent Search

   The Regeneron Science Talent Search invites the nation’s best and brightest young scientists to present original research to nationally recognized professional scientists. Open only to high school seniors, 40 finalists are selected to come to Washington DC and compete for the top award of $250000. This year’s competition will open on August 1, 2017. All applications will be due on November 15, 2017.

2. Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF)

   The Intel ISEF is possibly the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, providing an annual forum for over 1800 high school students from countries all over the world who compete for approximately $4 million in awards. Competition begins at the high school level and culminates at the International Science and Engineering Fair, held each year in different cities around the country.

3. Google Science Fair

   Beginning with online submissions, this competition invites young science students from grade 9th-12th from all over the world to compete for up to $50000 in scholarships as well as a trip to the Galapagos Islands sponsored by National Geographic. Finalists are invited to Google Headquarters to present their projects before expert judges. To receive information on future competitions, sign-up on the Google Science Fair website.

4. Davidson Fellows Scholarship

   This prestigious scholarship annually awards up to $50000 to students, aged 18 and under, who have completed a "significant" piece of work in one of eight categories including Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Literature, Music, Technology, Philosophy, and Outside the Box. More than $7.8 million has been awarded to 346 brilliant young people through the Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program.

5. Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology.

   Since 1999, the Siemens Foundation has provided young scientists with opportunities to win scholarships ranging from $1000 to $100000 for original research in the team and individual categories. This year’s competition is now underway and all competition materials must be received by September 19, 2017.

6. National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

   Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers. Regional scholarships as well as eight national top awards of up to $12,000 are among the prizes available. Different regions/states run on different schedules.

7. ExploraVision

   Jointly sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), ExploraVision encourages collaboration by restricting the competition to group projects. Although all participants win gifts and discounts, the top 4 teams receive US Savings Bonds worth $10000 for each student.

8. M3 Challenge

   The Mathworks Math Modeling (M3) Competition is one of the only mathematics competition of its kind. Students have 14 hours to solve an open-ended applied math-modeling problem focused on a real-world issue. 11th and 12th graders students located in the United States can participate in teams of 3–5 students and 1 coach for prizes worth over $100000 in scholarship.

9. AAN Neuroscience Research Prize

   This Neuroscience Research Award by the American Academy of Neurology competition is designed to encourage high school students of 9-12 grade to explore the world of the brain and nervous system. It encourages scientific skills and talent for scientific contributions in the field of neuroscience, and recognize the efforts of science teachers who have demonstrated support for students interested in neuroscience. Prize money of $1000 is paid along with all trip expenses to the AAN Annual Meeting, where the winners present their work at a scientific conference. Registrations open from Aug-Oct every year.

10. International BioGENEius Challenge

    This competition is designed to recognize outstanding research in biotechnology. Finalists showcase their talent and research before a prestigious panel of expert biotech judges and have the opportunity to win cash awards.

11. Microsoft Imagine Cup

    Imagine Cup is a global competition for computer science students who team up to use their creativity, passion, and knowledge of technology to create applications and compete for cash, travel, and prizes.

12. Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament

    The Harvard MIT Mathematics Tournament is one of the few high school science competitions organized by college students. Founded in 1998, HMMT has been around for more than 20 years and has built quite a strong reputation in admissions circles. There are two tournaments held each year - in November (held at Harvard) covering more general topics, and in February (held at MIT), covering Algebra, Geometry and Combinatorics. If you do happen to make it to the Top 10, your name will be listed on the HMMT website for all eternity, so a curious admissions officer may just notice. Registration deadline is early October for both November and February rounds

13. MIT THINK Scholars Program

    The THINK Scholars Program is an initiative that promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by supporting and funding projects developed by high school students. Finalists receive all-expenses-paid trips to MIT to attend XFair (MIT’s spring tech symposium) and winners receive up to $1000 to build their projects. Additional scholarship prizes are also available.

14. International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEMS)

    Initially founded as a class at MIT in 2003, today the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEMS) competition is an opportunity for high school and college students around the world to work on serious global challenges using ‘synthetic biology’. Examples of past projects include environmental bioremediation, medical delivery systems, and alternative energy sources. Successful projects require hard work and dedication, and, unlike the other competitions on this list, participation in iGEMS requires a sizable team (8+ members).

15. Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge

    Participants work in teams of 2 to 5 members to develop solutions to some of the world's most complex problems. Finalist teams compete for seed funding grants, investment opportunities, patent support, business services, and scholarships.

16. Envirothon

    The North American Envirothon is hosted in a different location every year to expose 9th-12th grade students to diverse environmental issues, ecosystems, and topography. Students compete for recognition and scholarships by demonstrating their knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management. Over the course of five days in the summer, students work in teams of five at different training and testing stations.

17. National Science Bowl

    Hosted by the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., the National Science Bowl is a highly publicized competition featuring questions on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, earth, computer, and general science. Teams of 4 (plus one alternate) and their coach have the opportunity to attend cutting-edge science seminars and get their hands dirty with scientific challenges.

18. National Science Olympiad

    Mirroring the structure of track meets, Science Olympiad consists of 23 team events that reflect the current, ever-changing nature of fields from genetics to mechanical engineering. The competition emphasizes hands-on group participation and encourages involvement from a wide cross-section of students.

19. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

    In this competition, students seek to address the current and future water challenges facing the world. Previous winning topics at the state level include “Protecting the Aquatic Environment from Household Microfibers” and “Optimizing Straw Mulch Use in Agriculture.” State winners receive a medal and an all-expenses-paid trip to the national competition at The Ohio State University. The national winner takes home a $10000 scholarship and a free trip to the international competition in Stockholm, Sweden. The international winner is graced with $15,000 and $5,000 for their school.

20. TOPPS Competition for High School Psychology Students

    Students submit a 3000-word essay citing peer-reviewed psychological research on a given topic. The 2019 topic was “non-human animals in psychology research.” A $250 award is at stake, and four winners are selected.

There are several STEM competitions being added each year. Ther are few which take places place online and others requiring in-person presence. Out list includes major science competitions with the potential to brighten your future. If you are looking for Science Project Ideas, checkout our Science Fair Projects Ideas for High School Students


Good Luck STEM! Good Luck Students! Good Luck Humanity!