If you want to go beyond school assignments and work on something more structured, research competitions for high school students are worth serious consideration. They give you a clear problem to work on and a process to follow using evidence and reasoning.
Research competitions for high school students help you develop skills like analysis, writing, and critical thinking. You may conduct a study, prepare a report, or present your findings. These are experiences you can include in college applications as clear examples of your work.
These competitions help you build consistency in how you approach problems. You spend time on one idea, test it, and refine your work based on the results. They also give you something concrete to show. A research paper or competition result can strengthen your application by showing what you have done.
Without further ado, here are 15 research competitions for high school students!
15 Research Competitions for High School Students
1. International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
Location: National finals held in Phoenix, Arizona, at Phoenix Convention Center; state and regional fairs held throughout the year
Cost: Participation costs vary by regional fair
Dates: Regional and state fairs occur throughout the academic year; national finals are May 9-15
Application Deadline: Varies by state and regional fair
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12; applications must be submitted through schools with a sponsor aged 21 or older
The International Science and Engineering Fair is a global research competition where you design and conduct an original project in a STEM field. You start by forming a research question, reviewing existing studies, and carrying out experiments or building an engineering solution. You document everything in a structured research paper and create a visual display for presentation. Your work is judged on methodology, data analysis, and clarity of explanation. You first compete at the regional and state levels before reaching the international stage. At the final round, you present your project to scientists and engineers and answer detailed questions about your work.
2. Regeneron Science Talent Search
Location: Finalists travel to the Science Center in Washington, D.C., for finals week
Cost: Top 40 finalists compete for over $1.8 million in awards, with the top prize of $250,000 for first place
Dates: March 5-11
Application Deadline: Applications open June 1 and close November 6
Eligibility: Any student who is living in and attending their last year of secondary school in the US and its territories may apply
The Regeneron Science Talent Search invites you to conduct original scientific research and submit a comprehensive report detailing your investigation. You will work independently or with a mentor on projects in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or related STEM fields, developing mastery in research design and technical analysis. Your research report must demonstrate your ability to frame meaningful scientific questions, employ rigorous methodology, and interpret results within existing scientific literature. As a scholar, you will learn to write technical documentation that meets academic publication standards, including literature review, methodology, results, and discussion of implications. If selected as a finalist, you will travel to Washington, D.C., for an intensive week of interviews, presentations, and networking with leading scientists.
3. NCF-Envirothon
Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville
Cost: Not specified
Dates: July 19-25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
NCF-Envirothon invites you to compete at the international level of one of the most prestigious environmental science competitions for high school students. As a participant, you’ll build deep expertise across five core subject areas like Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils & Land Use, Wildlife, and a rotating Current Environmental Issue, which are tested through hands-on station challenges and a scored oral presentation. This year’s current issue, Non-Point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home, challenges you to investigate how everyday individual actions contribute to water pollution across urban and rural watersheds. You’ll learn to conduct community NPS surveys, analyze mitigation strategies, and evaluate real-world policy tools like the Clean Water Act by developing both scientific literacy and civic awareness. Your five-member team earns its place at the international competition by advancing through local and state-level rounds, making each stage a meaningful benchmark of your environmental knowledge.
4. BioGENEius Challenge
Location: International finals at the BioFuture Conference, CURE Innovation Campus, New York City; regional rounds held virtually or in partner states
Cost: Entry is free; finalist travel and recognition provided by state partners
Dates: Application deadline May 13 (At-Large); International Finals late October
Application Deadline: May 13
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 with original biotechnology research
The BioGENEius Challenge represents the most prestigious global platform for high school students to showcase original research in biotechnology. You can select one of three specialized tracks: Global Healthcare, Global Sustainability, or Global Environment, ensuring your work is evaluated within relevant industry contexts. The competition process involves a project summary, mentor verification, and a double-blind review by a panel of industry and academic experts. Top finalists gain unparalleled exposure to the professional biotech community at the BIO International Convention or the BioFuture Conference, where they compete for $20,000 in international-level cash awards.
5. GENIUS Olympiad
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York; virtual application phase
Cost: $50 non-refundable application fee; $600 participation fee per finalist.
Dates: Submission deadline March 1; On-campus finals June 8–12
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: International secondary students typically aged 13–21
The GENIUS Olympiad focuses on using scientific and interdisciplinary inquiry to address critical environmental challenges. While the competition includes arts and writing tracks, the GENIUS Science and GENIUS AI categories require rigorous experimental data, methodology defenses, and literature reviews centered on sustainability. Beyond the primary medals and trophies, participants have the opportunity to earn annual renewable scholarships of up to $25,000 if they choose to attend RIT for undergraduate study. The program uniquely combines technical competition with cultural exchange, offering optional trips to Washington D.C., NYC, and Boston after the main event.
6. AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
Location: Virtual submission; top winners recognized at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting
Cost: Free to apply
Dates: Submissions typically due by October 31 annually; winners announced in early spring
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 enrolled in a U.S. secondary school
The AAN Neuroscience Research Prize is designed to reward individual excellence in the study of the brain and nervous system. You must submit an original research report that adheres to academic formatting standards, accompanied by a 300-word abstract and mentor verification. The prize specifically encourages independent inquiry that can occur outside of formal university lab settings, prioritizing scientific skill and creativity over access to advanced hardware. Winners receive a $1,000 prize and may be invited to present their findings before leading neurologists at the AAN’s international conference.
7. Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-20The
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize is an international research competition focused on water-related problems. You conduct an original study on topics like water quality, resource management, or wastewater treatment. You submit a detailed research paper supported by data, experiments, or fieldwork. Your project is judged on scientific accuracy, methodology, and real-world relevance. You move through national competitions before representing your country at the international final. At the final stage, you present your work to experts in water science and defend your findings.
8. Singularity: AI Essay Contest
Location: Virtual competition
Cost: Free entry, but cash prizes (up to $500) + scholarships (up to $2,490 tuition reduction)
Dates: Submissions open March 23; submissions close April 26; award ceremony on May 16
Application Deadline: April 26.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 from any country
The Singularity AI Essay Contest challenges you to examine artificial intelligence and its engineering applications through in-depth written analysis. You’ll explore the latest advancements in AI, consider their broader impact on society and engineering, and present your findings in essay form. The competition sharpens your ability to break down complex technical concepts and express informed perspectives on cutting-edge technology. It also builds the technical writing skills that are central to engineering communication. Through your research, you’ll gain exposure to machine learning, neural network design, and real-world applications in areas like robotics and autonomous systems. This contest is an especially strong fit if you have solid analytical and writing abilities.
9. Destination Imagination
Location: Regional and state competitions held at schools and venues throughout the United States; global finals held in Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: $190 per team
Dates: Starts around August
Application Deadline: Typically Mid-July
Eligibility: Elementary, middle, and high school students; teams of 7 members
Destination Imagination is a team-based competition where you solve technical and creative challenges through long-term projects and live problem-solving rounds. You design and build systems or structures that meet specific performance criteria. You also face instant challenges where you must create solutions within strict time limits. Your team plans, tests, and refines your project before presenting it to judges. The competition evaluates both how your solution works and how clearly you explain it. It combines engineering design with a structured presentation.
10. National Science Bowl
Location: Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy; regional competitions nationwide leading to national finals in Washington, D.C
Cost: Free to enter
Dates: April 30 – May 4
Application Deadline: Typically August through November for regional registration
Eligibility: Middle & high school students
The National Science Bowl is a fast-paced academic competition where you compete in teams by answering science and math questions. You study topics across physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and earth science. Matches are timed and require quick recall, buzzer responses, and team coordination. You prepare by learning concepts and practicing problem-solving under pressure. Teams advance from regional rounds to national finals. The competition tests both subject knowledge and your ability to apply it quickly in a competitive setting.
11. SeaPerch Underwater Robotics Program
Location: International SeaPerch Challenge held at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Cost: Program materials and training provided; start as low as $200 per child
Dates: Regional competitions throughout the season; international challenge, May 30
Application Deadline: October 01 – April 05
Eligibility: High school students can apply
SeaPerch is an underwater robotics competition where you design and build a remotely operated vehicle. You construct the robot using materials like PVC pipes, motors, and wiring systems, and learn how to control the vehicle through a tether and operate it underwater to complete tasks. The competition includes challenges such as navigating obstacles or performing specific functions. You test and refine your design through multiple trials. Performance is evaluated based on how effectively your robot completes tasks.
12. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
Location: Multiple regional and national venues across the United States and internationally
Cost: Starts from $6,300 per season
Dates: January 10 – May 2
Application Deadline: Typically closes in December
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; teams must be sponsored by a school or organization.
FIRST Robotics Competition is a robotics competition where you design, build, and program a large-scale robot for a specific game challenge. You work on mechanical systems, electrical wiring, and programming using languages like Java or C++. The robot must perform tasks during both autonomous and driver-controlled phases. You test, refine, and improve your design throughout the season. Teams also document their process and manage project timelines. The competition ends with live matches where robots compete in alliances.
13. FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)
Location: Multiple regional and national venues globally; competitions held at schools and convention centers
Cost: $1,825
Dates: Typically opens around September
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in grades 7-12
FIRST Tech Challenge is a more accessible gateway into competitive robotics, built around smaller robots and tighter build schedules. You’ll work with standardized modular components, which shifts the focus toward programming and strategic design over complex mechanical fabrication. On the software side, you’ll learn Java programming for Android-based robot controllers, work with hardware abstraction layers, and develop autonomous routines. In competition, your team participates in alliance-based matches where smart positioning, fluid movement, and consistent subsystem performance are the keys to winning. The shorter build cycle compared to FRC pushes you to prototype quickly and make decisions under pressure.
14. Science Olympiad Technology and Engineering Events
Location: Regional and state competitions held at various schools and universities
Cost: Registration and competition fees vary by state
Dates: Competition season runs from September through May; nationals run from May 22-23
Application Deadline: School registration typically closes in September
Eligibility: High school students can apply; teams of 15 members
Science Olympiad features a rotating set of technology and engineering events, each targeting specific technical skills aligned with STEM learning standards. The format naturally encourages team members to specialize, letting everyone develop depth in their area of interest. Robot Tour introduces you to autonomous programming, with a focus on path planning and obstacle avoidance. The Electric Vehicle event has you designing battery-powered vehicles while exploring energy management and mechanical efficiency. The CAD event builds hands-on proficiency with industry-standard design software. Altogether, the Science Olympiad gives you a structured way to build broad engineering competencies across mechanical, electrical, and computational disciplines.
15. NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC)
Location: Final competition held at U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Nine-month challenge; final excursion event April 9-11
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school and middle school students in grades 6-12 grades
The NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge is an engineering competition where you design and build a rover to navigate challenging terrain. You go through multiple design stages and improve your system based on testing and feedback. The rover must complete a course with obstacles like rocks and uneven surfaces. You work on mobility systems, suspension, and task mechanisms. The final event tests both performance and design. The competition follows real engineering processes from concept to execution.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, 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: Science Olympiad