The Top Science Competitions for High School Students

The right competition can turn a strong project into real recognition, scholarships, and opportunities. Below are some of the most valuable science and STEM competitions open to students, spanning national and international contests, with what each involves, who's eligible, and what you stand to gain.

A few are open to middle schoolers as feeders into the bigger competitions, and several draw students from dozens of countries. If you're still shaping your project before choosing where to enter it, our step-by-step guide to choosing the perfect science fair topic is a good place to start.

1. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

ISEF is the premier global science fair, showcasing high school research from over 1,800 participants across 75+ countries. Students present original research across a wide range of disciplines for recognition and prestigious awards.

Eligibility: Grades 9–12 (or equivalent), under age 20 on or before May 1 preceding ISEF, with team projects limited to three members. Projects and research must be presented in English (interpreters are available).

Award: Significant scholarships, recognition, and the chance to present research to scientific leaders.

2. MIT THINK Scholars Program

MIT THINK invites high school students to propose science, technology, and engineering projects tackling real-world problems, with mentorship and resources from MIT students to help bring them to life.

Eligibility: Full-time high school students (public, private, or home school) who are U.S. residents during the academic year. There's no strict age limit, but sophomores and juniors are best positioned, having had time to develop solid scientific interests.

Award: Mentorship from MIT researchers, funding for project materials, and a chance to present at MIT.

3. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)

JSHS encourages U.S. high schoolers to conduct original STEM research and present their findings at regional symposiums, competing for scholarships and recognition. Regional winners advance to the national level.

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or a U.S. territory.

Award: Scholarships and recognition at the regional and national levels.

4. Conrad Challenge

The Conrad Challenge inspires students worldwide to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems across fields like Aerospace & Aviation, Cyber-Technology & Security, Energy & Environment, and Health & Nutrition.

Eligibility: Students aged 13–18, competing individually or in teams of 2–5. Every team needs an adult mentor (18 or older) to guide their work.

Award: Mentorship, investment opportunities, and patent support for winning ideas.

5. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)

STS is a prestigious competition recognizing exceptional research by U.S. high school seniors, who present their original investigations to expert judges. Winners gain scholarships and access to a network of leading scientists.

Eligibility: Students in their final year of secondary school, living in and attending school in the U.S. or its territories, regardless of citizenship. U.S. citizens attending American schools abroad may also qualify for Science Talent Search.

Award: Significant scholarships, with top awards up to $250,000, and recognition at a national ceremony.

6. Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC)

The JIC (formerly Broadcom MASTERS) is the premier national STEM competition for U.S. middle schoolers, challenging them to address scientific problems through research and innovation.

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 can participate in JIC. You must first complete a science fair project and compete in a Society-affiliated fair in the U.S. or a U.S. territory. The top 10% of projects are nominated for the national competition, after which nominees complete an online application.

Award: Nominees join the Society alumni network; the top 300 receive cash, an award ribbon, and magazine and software subscriptions; and finalists receive $500 plus an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for further awards, including the $25,000 Thermo Fisher ASCEND Award.

7. American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Neuroscience Research Prize

The AAN Neuroscience Research Prize recognizes outstanding high school contributions to neuroscience, rewarding students whose original research signals real potential in the field.

Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 in the U.S., regardless of age. Work must be original and individual, group projects aren't eligible, and projects don't need to happen in a formal lab.

Award: Recognition at the AAN Annual Meeting and cash awards for top winners.

We have a list of other neuroscience competitions, if you want to focus on this area.

8. eCYBERMISSION

Run by the U.S. Army, eCYBERMISSION invites students in grades 6–9 to address real-world community challenges through scientific inquiry and engineering design, working in teams.

Eligibility: Rising 6th through 9th graders.

Award: First-place state winners each receive a U.S. savings bond worth $1,000 at maturity, and second-place winners $500 at maturity, with top teams at each grade level recognized nationally.

9. NASA's Plant the Moon Challenge

The Plant the Moon Challenge invites students to explore lunar agriculture, designing methods to grow plants on the Moon and grappling with the real challenges of space exploration and sustainability.

Eligibility: Open to students (including high schoolers) with a passion for space, science, and sustainability. It runs as a hands-on research challenge over a set growing period.

Award: Recognition and exposure, with specific prizes varying by challenge edition and sponsorship.

10. ExploraVision

Toshiba ExploraVision asks students to envision a technology 10 or more years in the future, combining collaborative brainstorming with research into current science, so it rewards real-world problem-solving and imagination in equal measure.

Eligibility: U.S. or Canadian citizens residing in the U.S., its territories, or Canada, enrolled full-time in a public, private, or home school.

Award: First-prize teams each receive a savings bond worth $10,000 at maturity and second-prize teams $5,000, with additional prizes for national finalists, regional winners, and honorable mentions.

11. S.T. Yau High School Science Award

The S.T. Yau High School Science Award is a research-based competition emphasizing innovation, originality, creativity, and persistence in research. Founded by Professor Shing-Tung Yau, it began in Mainland China in 2008 and has run for more than a decade, with the Asia edition serving students across the region.

Eligibility: All current secondary school students in Hong Kong and the Asian region outside Mainland China.

Format and award: Students submit original research across six subject categories:

• Mathematics,

• Physics,

• Biology,

• Chemistry,

• Computer Science,

• Economic and Financial Modeling.

Each category awards up to one Gold Prize, one Silver Prize, and three Honourable Mentions, with finalists defending their work through an oral defense before expert judges. It's an especially strong fit for students in Asia aiming to compete at a high level in a specific discipline.

12. EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS)

EUCYS is an international competition run by the European Commission that brings together around 150 young scientists from almost 40 countries to present their projects to a jury, the public, and their peers. It highlights the best of European scientific student achievement and encourages young people toward careers in science, research, and innovation.

Eligibility: Students aged 14–20 who have won first prize at their national science competition with a project in any field of science. Projects can be individual or teams of up to three, and each country may submit up to three projects.

Award: Contestants submit a short video, a written project, and a poster for public exhibition, then answer the jury's questions. Core prizes are substantial:

• Four first prizes of €7,000 each,

• Four second prizes of €5,000,

• Four third prizes of €3,500,

• €2,500 Special Jury Prize,

Alongside special donated prizes like study visits to leading scientific organizations. Because entry runs through national contests, it's the natural next step for top competitors in participating European countries.

13. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an international competition for students aged 15–20 who develop innovative research projects addressing major water challenges, drawing tens of thousands of participants from around 40 countries. Held annually since 1997, it's become a highlight of World Water Week, with the award presented by its patron, H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

Eligibility: Students aged 15–20 with a research project focused on a water-related challenge, from water quality and availability to treatment and management.

Award: Finalists are selected from national competitions worldwide and judged by a jury of international water experts at a royal ceremony in Stockholm. Many past projects have grown into real-world innovations, and numerous winners have gone on to careers in the water sector. It's ideal for students whose research connects to water, sustainability, or the environment.

How to Choose the Right Science Competition

With this many options, the best competition is the one that fits your project, your grade, and your goals. Many of these feed into one another, too, a middle school JIC project can build toward ISEF, a strong ISEF project can later become an STS entry, and a national win can open the door to international contests like EUCYS.

If you're not sure how to match your idea to the right competition, our guide on how ScienceFair helps you choose a science fair project idea walks through the decision, and our guide to science fair mentoring for prestigious competitions explains how expert coaching can improve your odds at the toughest ones.

We also have a guide to over 50 STEM competitions that are available for middle and high school students.

Get Expert Guidance from ScienceFair

Choosing a competition is just the start, winning takes a strong project and a confident presentation. That's where ScienceFair comes in. Our mentors have competed in and won the top STEM competitions on this list, and they'll help you refine your idea, strengthen your research, and prepare for the judges' Q&A.

Ready to make your run at a top competition? Schedule a call with our academic advisor.