- Grades9 to 12
- CostFree
- FormatIndividual
- WhereOnline
53 days left
Scholarships and challenges competitions for students under 18
These are competitions where the prize is the point: scholarship funds, cash awards, or paid programmes. Nearly all of them are free to enter. Read the eligibility rules first, since many carry citizenship, residency or grade-level restrictions that are not obvious from the marketing page.
- Grades8 to 12
- CostFree
PreparationDeep understanding of one concept in physics, life sciences or mathematics
FormatIndividual
WhereOnline
Scholarships and challenges
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
A $20,000 achievement-based scholarship for graduating seniors, awarded to 150 students a year.
Scholarships and challenges
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Scholarships of up to $50,000 for a significant piece of work in science, technology, mathematics, literature, music or philosophy.
6 days left
- Grades12 to 12
- CostFree
- FormatIndividual
- WhereOnline
21 days left
- Grades1 to 12
- CostFree
PreparationA completed piece of work at or close to college graduate level
FormatIndividual
WhereOnline
Music
From the Top Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
A scholarship award for outstanding young classical musicians with financial need, including a national radio appearance.
Check site
- Grades3 to 12
- CostFree
PreparationRepertoire ready for broadcast performance, plus demonstrated financial need
FormatIndividual
WhereBoth
Scholarships and challenges
Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program
A five-year, individually advised scholarship for high-achieving students with financial need, applied for in grade 7.
Writing
John Locke Institute Essay Competition
A free global essay prize in seven academic subjects, judged by academics from Oxford and Princeton.
61 days left
- Grades7 to 7
- CostFree
- FormatIndividual
- WhereOnline
218 days left
- Grades7 to 12
- CostUp to $20
StructureDivisions by grade or level
FormatIndividual
WhereOnline
Science
JSHS
Present original research to a live audience of scientists at a regional symposium, with scholarships attached.
Check site
- Grades9 to 12
- CostFree
PreparationOriginal independent research, usually with a mentor
FormatIndividual
WhereIn person
Math
Math Prize for Girls
The largest cash prize in pre-college mathematics, open to girls and non-binary students.
Check site
- Grades1 to 12
- CostFree
PreparationAn AMC 10 or AMC 12 score above the year's cutoff
FormatIndividual
WhereIn person
Scholarships and challenges
National Merit Scholarship Program
The scholarship competition you enter by sitting the PSAT/NMSQT in your junior year, whether you meant to or not.
Writing
Patriot's Pen
A short patriotic essay contest for middle school students, free, with national awards.
Writing
Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Write about an elected official who took a politically courageous stand, for a $10,000 first prize.
Scholarships and challenges
Prudential Emerging Visionaries
Awards for young people using financial or social innovation to solve a problem in their community.
Science
Regeneron Science Talent Search
The oldest and most prestigious science research competition for United States high school seniors.
Civics and social science
Voice of Democracy
Record a three-minute audio essay on a patriotic theme and compete for scholarships from local post to national level.
Check site
- Grades11 to 12
- CostFree to $30
- FormatIndividual
- WhereIn person
52 days left
- Grades6 to 8
- CostFree
- FormatIndividual
- WhereBoth
52 days left
- Grades9 to 12
- CostFree
- FormatIndividual
- WhereOnline
124 days left
- Grades9 to 12
- CostFree
- FormatIndividual
- WhereOnline
Check site
- Grades12 to 12
- CostFree
- FormatIndividual
- WhereBoth
57 days left
- Grades9 to 12
- CostFree
- FormatIndividual
- WhereBoth
52 days left
Keep looking
- Filter the whole directory
- Competitions for first-timers
- Competitions with no entry fee
- Math competitions
- Coding competitions
- Robotics competitions
- Science competitions
- Engineering competitions
- Business competitions
- Writing competitions
- Debate and speech competitions
- Art and design competitions
- Music competitions
- Academic competitions
- Civics and social science competitions
- Environment competitions
- Chess and strategy competitions