If you’ve worked on a project in science, math, computer science, or even social science, there are competitions where you can submit your work, present it, and see how it stacks up. These include school-level fairs and national and international contests, giving you plenty of options to get involved. Having a research award on your academic profile can also make a difference when you’re applying to colleges, since it shows that you’ve gone beyond regular coursework and explored a subject in depth. It can also lead to other opportunities like mentorships, internships, or advanced programs in your area of interest.
Why should you conduct research in high school?
Doing research in high school helps you build skills you don’t always get from regular classes. You’ll learn how to come up with your own questions, plan a project, and figure things out when the answers aren’t obvious. If you take part in competitions, you’ll also get practice explaining your work clearly, both in writing and presentations. You might use tools like coding platforms, data analysis software, or lab methods, depending on your project. Over time, you’ll also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills.
Here are 15 research awards for high school students worth exploring.
If you’re looking for research programs, you can find them here. You can also find STEM research topics for high school students here.
1. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
Location: Virtual; Finals take place in Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Prize: $250,000 for first place (more details here)
Dates: Regeneron STS Finals Week: March 5 – 11
Registration Deadline: June 1 – November 6
Eligibility: High school seniors in the U.S. or its territories; U.S. citizens living abroad
Regeneron STS is a science competition that allows you to present original research in science, math, or engineering. You’ll complete an independent project, write a report with data and results, and submit it along with project details, a research paper of up to 20 pages, essays, recommendations, transcripts, and optional test scores. You can use projects from any high school year if your data is clearly collected and explained. You may work with university faculty or industry experts and learn about real STEM methods and careers. All entrants get small rewards, and about 300 scholars each receive $2,000, with matching funds for their schools; 40 finalists get to compete in Washington, D.C. for awards up to $250,000.
2. U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)
Location: Various locations within each region/state; the National Competition location changes every year
Cost: Free
Prize: National: $10,000 scholarship; International: $15,000
Dates: Regional competitions: Winter; State competitions: Spring; Online judging round: First two weeks of May; National competition: June 8 – 10
Registration Deadline: Regional deadlines vary by region; State competition: April 15; National competition: May
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 by August 1 of the competition year and have completed a research project in water science
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize honors high school students who complete strong water research projects. You’ll work individually or in teams of up to two on topics like resource management, water quality, or wastewater treatment at local to global levels and move through regional, state, national, and international rounds. The project report is more important than the poster, and judging is based on research quality, methods, creativity, and presentation. Regional events in winter lead to state competitions in spring, where state winners can earn certificates, medals, and a trip to nationals. At nationals, they compete in a virtual round in early May, with the top 20 advancing to in-person finals. National winners receive a $10,000 scholarship, a certificate, a trophy, and a trip to Stockholm for World Water Week; whereas, the international winner earns $15,000, the Crystal Trophy, and $5,000 for their school.
3. Naval Science Awards Program (NSAP)
Location: Various regional and state science fairs
Cost: Free
Prize: Up to $75
Dates: February – May; Regional and state fairs: January – April
Registration Deadline: The NSAP has no national deadline; Recipient details must be submitted within 30 days after each fair
Eligibility: 6th-12th graders who compete individually at registered regional or state science and engineering fairs where at least two high schools are represented are eligible to receive certificates and awards; Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Naval Science Awards Program, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, supports interest in science and engineering by recognizing student research projects at regional and state fairs, as well as the International Science and Engineering Fair. You can earn awards by presenting an individual project at a registered fair where at least two high schools are represented. Both junior (grades 6-8) and senior (grades 9-12) divisions are included. Awards include a certificate, medallion, letter, and gift cards worth $25, $50, or $75 for educational use. Only individual research projects qualify, and the number of award packets given depends on how many student exhibits are entered at the fair.
4. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Location: The location changes each year
Cost: Free
Prize: $100,000, 2 $75,000 prizes, $50,000, several $10,000 awards
Dates: May 9 – 15
Registration Deadline: The final date to hold a Regeneron ISEF-affiliated fair is April 13; Finalists must submit their registration within 12 calendar days after their regional-affiliated fair (more info here)
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders who have won top awards at regional, state, or national science fairs affiliated with the Society for Science; Must be under age 20 on or before ISEF
Regeneron ISEF is a global science competition for high school students who have won top awards at regional, state, or national science fairs affiliated with the Society for Science. You can present original research in one of 22 categories, like chemistry, plant sciences, materials science, mathematics, physics & astronomy, microbiology, and more. You can submit one project with up to 12 months of continuous research conducted after January, and teams can have up to 3 eligible original members. During Finals Week in May, you’ll take part in judging, seminars, and networking, with winners announced at the end. Finalists compete for nearly $7 million in awards, including category prizes ranging from $600 to $6,000, shared equally in teams. Top awards include $100,000, two $75,000 prizes, $50,000, several $10,000 awards, and additional international science awards.
5. Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Location: Virtual; Awards reception is held in Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Proze: Scholarships of $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000
Dates: Recipients are announced on or before July 15 each year
Registration Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: U.S. students aged 18 or younger by the application deadline; Must have completed a major project in one of the submission categories
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship recognizes strong projects in STEM, humanities, and Outside the Box categories. You’ll start by submitting a short project description to confirm its eligibility. You’ll share your nominators’ details, send their forms, and complete all required materials. Make sure your research or project brings something to the table like a new idea, a better method, a working solution, or something others can build on. Past work has included challenging math conjectures, finding cancer targets, and using AI in drug development. You can earn scholarships of $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 based on the quality and impact of your project.
6. Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grant
Location: Virtual + In-person at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Prize: $7,500 provided up front; Patents awarded
Dates: May 28 – 30 (Open House); Virtual EurekaFest: May 19
Registration Deadline: February – April
Eligibility: High school students; Teachers submit the initial application on behalf of their student teams
The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grant supports high school teams of students, teachers, and mentors by providing $7,500 upfront and year-long guidance to build a real technological invention in STEM fields such as medical, environmental, or safety challenges. Each year, selected teams develop prototypes over an academic year and present them at EurekaFest at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in June. You’ll also take part in an MIT Open House, where projects are presented, followed by activities such as campus exploration and talks by MIT faculty and former InvenTeam students. You’ll also participate in an invention sprint focused on real-world problem-solving. The program emphasizes teamwork, hands-on STEM learning, and collaboration with community partners. Many projects continue beyond the program, with some earning patents.
7. American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Neuroscience Research Prize
Location: Online submissions; Winners present at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, which changes location each year
Cost: None
Prize: $1,000 and certificates
Dates: Judging takes place in November and December, and winners are announced in January
Registration Deadline: August 5 – October 21
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders who attend U.S. high schools
The American Academy of Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize recognizes high school students who have completed original research on the brain and nervous system. You’ll submit an application with a 300-word abstract, a full research report, and a bibliography. The project must be completed individually without requiring a formal lab; your research can focus on brain anatomy, pathology, physiology, or function. Psychology research is accepted only if it connects directly to neurophysiology. A panel of U.S. neuroscientists and physicians reviews entries, and top abstracts move to the final round. Four winners each receive $1,000, a certificate, and the chance to present at the AAN Annual Meeting with hotel, travel, stipend, and registration covered.
8. National History Day (NHD)
Location: Locations vary for regional and affiliate contests; National contest: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Registration fees for regional and affiliate contests vary by location; National Contest student registration fee: $165, teacher registration fee: $65
Prize: Up to $10,000
Dates: NHD regional contests: February – March; Affiliate state contests: Late March – early May; National contest: June 14 – 18
Registration Deadline: Registration for regional and affiliate contests varies by location; Student and teacher registration for the National Contest: April 15 – May 19
Eligibility: Middle and high school students, as well as teachers; 2 entry divisions: Junior (grades 6-8) or Senior (grades 9-12)
The National History Day (NHD) allows you to present historical research, arguments, and interpretations through projects based on a yearly theme. This year’s theme is Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History, where you’ll explore how events connect and influence one another. You’ll choose a focused topic, research its context, and create a project. You can work individually or in groups of two to five in categories such as documentary, exhibit, performance, website, or paper. You start at local contests and can improve your research, analysis, and project as you advance, without changing your topic. You can find your local affiliate here. At nationals, you’ll present or discuss your work with judges across rounds. You’ll compete for $1,000, $500, and $250 prizes, along with special awards up to $10,000 and state-level recognition.
9. Explorers Club Rising Explorer Grant
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Prize: $2,000 on average
Dates: Awards are announced in January
Registration Deadline: August – October 8 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students and college undergraduates from around the world
The Explorers Club Rising Explorer Grant helps you conduct real field research in areas such as biology, wildlife conservation, ecology, environmental science, anthropology, archaeology, and marine or freshwater studies. The program allows you to turn research ideas into real fieldwork with clear planning, timelines, budgets, and methods for sharing results through reports or presentations. You’ll receive about $2,000 on average to cover travel, equipment, and data collection costs for projects designed to generate new scientific knowledge rather than simple travel or school trips. To apply, you must submit a project description, expedition plan, budget, two letters of support, and details on permits or ethics. Rising Explorers are also considered for membership in The Explorers Club, which gives you access to networking opportunities with researchers and professionals.
10. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Location: Virtual; In-person finalist pitch event is held each year at different locations across the U.S.
Cost: Free
Prize: Up to $100,000 for 3 national winners + tech prizes
Dates: December 17 – February 11 (Semi-Finalist Phase); March 4 – April 13 (Finalist Phase)
Registration Deadline: September 17 – November 24
Eligibility: Public school students in grades 6-12, with eligibility limited to schools that are at least 50% publicly funded; Applications must be submitted by teachers
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition allows public school students to work in teams with their teachers to use STEM skills to solve real problems in their communities. Themes include environmental sustainability through technology, social change using sports and tech, accessibility through STEM, and open innovation. You’ll go through a problem-based learning process where you’ll first define a local issue, design a science, technology, engineering, or math-based solution, and explain how it stays sustainable. The application starts with five questions, followed by a three-minute video for semi-finalists, and live presentations for finalists. From the entries, 100 semifinalists are chosen, and 10 become finalists who pitch in person. Around 500 schools receive tech prizes, with top awards reaching $100,000 for three national winners.
11. ExploraVision
Location: Virtual; Awards weekend: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Prize: $10,000 and $5,000 savings bonds
Dates: Regional winners are announced on March 9 & national winners on April 27; Awards weekend: June 3 – 6
Registration Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: K-12 students under 21 who are U.S. or Canadian citizens; Must be enrolled full-time in a public, private, virtual, parochial, or homeschool program; 10th-12th graders can compete in the high school level category
ExploraVision is a STEM competition where you work in teams of 2-4 to study an existing technology, understand how it works, and predict how it could evolve in the future. You’ll explore the research behind it, identify the breakthroughs needed to make your idea a reality, and consider its benefits and risks to society. Your team presents this work through a written paper and web pages. If you reach the final round in grades 4-12, you’ll also build a prototype and a full website. Categories are based on the oldest team member and judged separately. This competition helps you build skills in research, communication, and problem-solving across STEAM fields. Top awards include $10,000 and $5,000 savings bonds for first- and second-place winners, a trip to Washington, D.C. for national winners, and Chromebooks for regional winners. You can find more information here.
12. Genes in Space
Location: Virtual; The location of the in-person final round changes each year
Cost: Free
Prize: 25 awards + additional awards
Dates: Finalists announced: May 22; In-person presentations: July 28 – 30; Winners announced in July
Registration Deadline: January 5 – April 10
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 7-12
The Genes in Space is a national science competition in which you will design a DNA-based experiment for the International Space Station. You’ll choose a space biology topic, explore a molecular or genetic research question, and plan your experiment using the Genes in Space Toolkit by setting a hypothesis and selecting methods. You can use student resources to refine your idea and approach it as real scientists would. There are 25 awards each contest cycle, including 5 Finalist Awards, 5 Junior Scientist Awards, 5 Constellation Awards, and 10 Honorable Mentions. Finalists and winners receive P51 Fluorescence Biotechnology Kits for their schools, which include viewers, micropipettes, and learning materials. Participating schools get 25 chances to win a miniPCR Bio DNA Discovery System, including a miniPCR thermal cycler and a blueGel electrophoresis system. If you win, you also attend Space Biology Camp to prepare your experiment, and once approved, it is conducted in space, with the launch scheduled after winners are announced.
13. Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Prize: $250,000 post-secondary scholarship + additional awards
Dates: September 17 – 30 (Peer-to-Peer Review); October 1 – 3 (Administrative Review); October 4 – 25 (Evaluation Panel Review); October 26 – November 18 (Finalist Verification); November 24 – December 9 (Popular Vote Challenge); Finalists, Popular Vote winners, and Regional Champions are announced on December 10
Registration Deadline: May 11 – September 15
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18, including homeschooled students, students with disabilities, and students from around the world
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual contest in which you will explain a concept in physics, mathematics, or life sciences through a short, original video of up to two minutes. You’ll choose a challenging idea and present it in a clear, engaging, and creative way, using formats such as demonstrations, animations, or documentary-style presentations. Judges look at how engaging, creative, clear, and challenging your work is. After submitting a YouTube link, you’ll also join a peer-review process in which you evaluate other entries. The competition then moves through evaluation of top submissions, finalist verification, and a popular vote phase. The results are announced in December. Winners receive a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, a $50,000 prize for their teacher, and a $100,000 for a science lab.
14. The Biomimicry Institute: Youth Design Challenge
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Prize: Awards offered (not specified)
Dates: Project work and coaching sessions: February and March; Peer review: February 28 – March 15; Projects are due by April 1; Awards, along with the exhibition, are held in May
Registration Deadline: December 18 – January 31
Eligibility: Students in middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12); Only coaches are allowed to register a team
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge is a free, project-based program in which middle and high school students work in teams of 2-8 with an adult coach to design nature-inspired solutions to real-world environmental or social problems. You’ll explore how organisms solve similar challenges in nature and apply those ideas to create an innovation linked to a Sustainable Development Goal. You and your team will develop a researched biomimicry project with guidance from a coach and an aligned curriculum. You’ll submit a video pitch, a project portfolio, a design image, and a team photo. An international panel of biomimicry experts, scientists, and educators reviews the projects, gives feedback, and selects top entries for recognition. Awards recognize strong research, clear problem-solving, and solutions that tackle local or global community challenges.
15. Plant the Moon Challenge
Location: Online
Cost: Registration costs $229 plus shipping per team
Prize: Awards offered (not specified)
Dates: January 21 – May 7 (Spring Season); September 17 – January 14 (Fall Season; tentative); You can check the important dates here
Registration Deadline: October 6 – January 18 (Spring Season); May 6 – September 15 (Fall Season; tentative)
Eligibility: Students participating in the High School Division must be between 13-19 years old by August 1 of the competition year and be in grades 9–12 or the international equivalent
The Plant the Moon Challenge allows you to join a global science project where you’ll design experiments to grow crops in lunar or Martian soil and help research for future Moon and Mars missions. Each team consists of 1–5 students and one adult coach. You’ll pick a crop, set your own growing conditions using the project guide, run an 8-week experiment, and submit your results and a final report. You will register, access resources, and submit tasks through the ICS Portal. You’ll follow a process of research, design, planting, monitoring, analysis, and presentation. This will help you complete multiple checkpoints and a final set of 7 tasks. Awards include Best in Show for Innovation, Experimental Design, Plant Growth, and Evaluation of Results, as well as recognition, expert feedback, and certificates for both students and coaches.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like investigative journalism, media studies, political reporting, data journalism, and the ethics of news and information, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Regeneron Science Talent Search