15 Free Competitions for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 15 hours ago
- 13 min read
If you are looking to challenge yourself academically and build a stronger profile for college, competitions are one of the most effective ways to do it in high school! What makes free competitions particularly great is that the barrier to entry is low, but the potential upside is significant. You get access to the same level of academic challenge, recognition, and networking opportunities as paid programs without the financial commitment that often comes with them.
Why should I participate in a free competition in high school?
Competitions develop skills that classroom learning rarely builds directly. You get comfortable working under pressure, applying knowledge to problems without pre-written answers, and communicating your thinking clearly in real evaluative conditions. Those habits carry forward into college and beyond in ways that are genuinely difficult to replicate through coursework alone.
A strong competition result also carries significant weight in college applications. It demonstrates intellectual initiative, subject-specific ability, and a willingness to be evaluated on output rather than participation, which is exactly what admissions committees at competitive universities look for. Many competitions also connect you with peers, mentors, and organizations that open doors well beyond the competition itself.
To make the search easier, we narrowed this list down to 15 free competitions for high school students worth considering!
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These competitions span research (Regeneron STS), writing (Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, John Locke Institute), business (Wharton Investment Competition, Blue Ocean), and STEM problem solving (USA Physics Olympiad, AMC 10/12), covering nearly every academic interest.
Cash prizes vary significantly, from the Profile in Courage Essay Contest's $10,000 top prize to Regeneron STS's $250,000 grand prize, while others like the AMC and National Science Bowl offer recognition and advancement rather than cash.
Most competitions are genuinely free to enter, though some like the International Research Olympiad ($25) and USA Physics Olympiad (school registration fees) involve small costs covered by the school or with fee waivers available.
Team-based competitions, including the National Economics Challenge, National Science Bowl, and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, build collaboration skills alongside subject-specific knowledge, while individual competitions like AMC and the Bennington Young Writers Awards emphasize solo performance.
Submission deadlines span the full school year, with several falling in early fall (Bennington Young Writers, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow) and others in the winter or spring (Regeneron STS, Lumiere Scholars Essay Award), so students should plan their competition calendar early.
Cost/Prizes: Free; top award currently $250,000, with around $1.8 million in total prizes
Location: National Building Museum, Washington, D.C.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 300 scholars selected from 2,500 applicants; 40 finalists
Dates: March 5–11
Submission Deadline: November 6
Eligibility: High school seniors in their final year of secondary school in the U.S.
Regeneron Science Talent Search is centered entirely on a substantial independent research project that you design, execute, and write up as a formal scientific paper. You’ll submit a detailed application that includes a research report (up to 20 pages), essays, and recommendations, all of which are evaluated holistically by PhD-level judges. The process emphasizes not just results, but your role in the work, your scientific reasoning, and how you communicate your findings. If selected as a finalist, you’ll present your research publicly and participate in in-depth interviews that assess both your project and broader STEM knowledge. Finalists also interact with scientists, policymakers, and peers during a week-long event in Washington, D.C., where projects are exhibited and discussed.
Cost/Prizes: Free; prizes include up to $1,000 in cash + $3,190 scholarship to Lumiere Research Program, along with publication of essays in the Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship
Location: Online
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all eligible students
Dates: Submission window: March 9 – April 26; Announcement of shortlist: May 11; Announcement of results: May 17
Submission deadline: April 26
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award invites students like you to submit an original academic essay that demonstrates critical thinking, structured argumentation, and evidence-based reasoning. As a participant, you will choose from interdisciplinary prompts and develop a clear, well-supported essay of under 2,000 words using strong arguments. Your work will be evaluated by a panel of professors and researchers based on originality, analytical depth, and clarity of expression. You will stand a chance to win a scholarship, cash prizes, and publication opportunities, with selected essays featured in an academic journal. The experience can help you refine research-oriented writing and explore formal academic discourse.
Cost/Prizes: Free entry; late registration/submission fees apply; prizes include $1,000–$10,000 scholarships
Location: London, UK
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Academic conference: October 2–4; Awards dinner: October 3
Submission Deadline: Registration usually closes in late May, and essays are due in late June
Eligibility: Students under 19 from any country
If you’re interested in developing your ability to argue complex ideas clearly, this competition asks you to respond to one of several open-ended prompts across subjects like philosophy, economics, politics, or science. You’ll submit a single essay (up to 2,000 words) that is evaluated on the strength of your reasoning, use of evidence, originality, and clarity of writing. Entries are reviewed by academics from universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Princeton, and some participants may be invited to discuss their work further during the evaluation process. The structure is entirely individual, with no collaboration allowed, and you’re expected to engage seriously with counterarguments and alternative perspectives. Shortlisted students are invited to present their work and attend an academic conference and awards dinner in London, where they can interact with faculty and peers.
Cost/Prizes: Free; cash prizes up to $1,000 per team member for national winners; $500, $250, and $200 for subsequent ranks.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: National Finals: May 28–29; Online National Semi-Finals: April 20–24
Submission Deadline: Varies by state-level registration (typically during the academic year)
Eligibility: High school students competing in teams of 3–4; division placement depends on economics coursework (intro vs. AP/advanced)
This competition is structured around team-based problem solving in economics, combining individual knowledge with collaborative analysis. You’ll compete in a group of three or four students, first at the state level and then, if you advance through online semifinals and an in-person national finals. Early rounds focus on multiple-choice questions in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics, with each team member answering individually and scores combined. At the final stage, the format shifts: teams analyze a real-world economic issue, prepare a presentation, defend their reasoning before judges, and then compete in a quiz bowl round. Coaches, often teachers or program advisors, guide preparation and help teams navigate the competition structure.
Cost/Prizes: Free; awards and recognition provided
Location: Washington, D.C. (National Finals)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: National Finals: April 30 – May 4; Regionals: January – March
Submission Deadline: Regional registration begins October 6; deadlines vary by region (typically ~3 weeks before event)
Eligibility: Teams of 4 students + 1 alternate from high school, coached by a teacher; must compete through designated regional competitions
This competition is built around a fast-paced quiz bowl format covering multiple STEM disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, math, and energy science. You’ll compete as part of a team, answering rapid-fire questions in timed rounds that test both factual recall and conceptual understanding. The structure begins with regional tournaments, where teams compete locally before advancing to the national finals if they win their region. At the national level, questions are more difficult, and the competition includes multiple rounds, along with opportunities to interact with other high-performing teams and attend related events. Preparation often involves team practice sessions, where you divide subject areas and refine buzzer strategies.
Cost/Prizes: $25 registration fee (fee waivers available); medals and recognition for top performers
Location: Finals typically held in-person (recently Cambridge, MA)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Opens: March 14; Semifinals: April 4; Finals: June 19–21
Submission Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 worldwide
In this competition, you’ll spend most of your time interpreting research rather than memorizing content, especially in the early rounds where scientific papers and datasets form the core of the assessment. The competition progresses through multiple elimination stages, beginning with an online exam and narrowing to a small group of finalists selected from the top performers. As you advance, the format shifts toward open-ended responses, where your ability to explain reasoning becomes more important than arriving at a single correct answer. Judges, often with research backgrounds, evaluate how clearly you articulate ideas and apply scientific thinking across contexts. By the final stage, participants are tested in a more intensive setting that prioritizes depth of analysis and adaptability.
Cost/Prizes: Free; no cash prizes specified (finalists present at Wharton)
Location: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Trading period: September 29 – December 5; Global Finale: April 24–25
Submission Deadline: Final report due December 12; key eligibility trade deadline October 10
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) in teams of 4–6 from the same school, with a teacher advisor
In the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, your work revolves around building and defending an investment strategy rather than simply trying to maximize returns. Over roughly ten weeks, you and your team manage a simulated $500,000 portfolio, making trades while documenting the reasoning behind each decision through required trading notes. Alongside trading, you analyze a client case and develop a long-term strategy aligned with specific financial goals, which becomes the foundation of your final report. Judges evaluate teams primarily on how clearly they justify decisions, assess risk, and structure their overall approach, not just on portfolio performance. If you advance, you’ll present your strategy to a panel of judges in later rounds, adding a communication and presentation component.
Cost/Prizes: Free; prizes range from $1,000 to $100,000 in school resources
Location: United States (final presentations and national event in-person/virtual hybrid)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Finalist presentations: March 4 – April 13; National event livestream: April 14
Submission Deadline: Application window: September 17 – November 24; semifinal video due February 11
Eligibility: Public school students in grades 6–12; teams must apply through a teacher from a school that is at least 50% publicly funded
In this competition, you begin by identifying a problem in your local community and framing it as a challenge that can be addressed using STEM. From there, your team develops a solution over multiple rounds, starting with a short written application and progressing to a video prototype and eventually a live presentation. The competition emphasizes iteration, meaning you refine your idea as you gather feedback, test feasibility, and consider real-world constraints. Teams are expected to think through implementation, who the solution serves, how it works, and how impact would be measured, rather than just proposing abstract ideas. In later stages, selected teams present their work to judges and may interact with mentors, including industry professionals, as they develop their projects.
Cost/Prizes: Initial registration is free. Teams typically pay an innovation‑stage fee (discounts/aid available)
Location: Space Center Houston, Houston, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: April 22 – 25
Submission Deadline: Activation Stage: August 28 – October 30; Innovation Stage ends January 8
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 worldwide; teams of 2–5 allowed (can be from different schools)
Over several months, you move through a structured process that mirrors how startups are actually built, starting with identifying a problem and ending with pitching a solution. Early on, your team defines an idea within one of several categories, such as energy, health, or aerospace, and begins developing it into a viable innovation. As you progress, the focus shifts toward refining your concept, testing feasibility, and preparing materials that explain both the technical and business aspects of your solution. By the final stage, selected teams present their work in person to judges, where evaluation includes not just the idea itself but how clearly it is communicated and justified.
Cost/Prizes: Free; Awards as follows: $10,000 (1st), $3,000 (2nd), $1,000 for finalists
Location: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Boston, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Award Ceremony: May (tentatively)
Submission Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12; must submit an original essay with at least five sources and a nominating teacher
Instead of choosing any broad topic, you are required to focus on a single, specific act of political courage by a U.S. elected official and analyze it in depth in this competition. Your essay (700–1,000 words) must go beyond storytelling by examining the risks, consequences, and broader impact of the decision, supported by multiple sources and clear argumentation. The competition places strong emphasis on originality, meaning commonly written-about figures or well-known cases may be scored less favorably. You’ll work with a nominating teacher who reviews your draft and ensures it meets research and citation requirements before submission. Judging criteria prioritize how effectively you build and defend an argument, rather than just summarizing historical events.
Cost/Prizes: Free; Awards as follows: $1,000 (1st), $500 (2nd), $250 (3rd), plus scholarships
Location: Bennington College, Bennington, VT
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Results announced in spring (tentatively)
Submission Deadline: September 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 worldwide; one submission in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction; must be reviewed by a sponsoring teacher
In this competition, what you submit depends entirely on your strengths. You can choose between poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, but you’re limited to a single category each year. The evaluation focuses on the quality of your writing, including voice, structure, and originality, rather than on adherence to a specific prompt or theme. Before submitting, you’ll work with a sponsoring teacher who reviews your piece and provides feedback, which is a required part of the process. Entries are judged independently within each genre, and top submissions are recognized at multiple levels, not just a single winner. Some selected pieces are later published or featured, giving you a chance to see how your work is received beyond the competition.
Cost/Prizes: School Registration Fee - $75 ($37.50 for AAPT Members) PER SCHOOL plus $15.50 per student; the primary outcome is selection to the national team and the international Olympiad
Location: Exams administered at schools/testing centers; training camp at the University of Maryland
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective
Dates: F=ma Exam: February 12; USAPhO Exam: April 10; Training Camp: May 30 – June 9
Submission Deadline: F=ma registration deadline: January 20
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or students studying in the U.S. for F-1); must take proctored exams within the U.S.
In the USA Physics Olympiad competition, your experience begins with a single qualifying exam, but the structure quickly narrows into one of the most selective academic pathways in high school STEM. The first stage (F=ma) focuses on solving challenging, calculus-based physics problems under time pressure, and only top performers move on to the USAPhO exam. At that level, the format shifts toward free-response problems that require full derivations, clear reasoning, and precise mathematical work. A small group of top scorers is then invited to an intensive training camp, where you work through advanced material and undergo further evaluation. From there, a final team is selected to represent the United States at the International Physics Olympiad.
Cost/Prizes: Free; prizes up to $1,000 plus regional awards and recognition
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Final announcements: May 13; Top 30 announced April 22
Submission Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students (ages 14–18) worldwide; can compete individually or in teams of up to 5
Rather than starting with a product, you begin this competition by identifying a gap in the market, something that doesn’t yet exist or hasn’t been approached effectively. From there, you develop a “blue ocean” business idea and turn it into a structured pitch using specific strategy frameworks provided by the competition. Your final submission is a short video presentation in which you explain the problem, your solution, and how it creates a new market space while remaining feasible. Judges evaluate entries across criteria such as innovation, market potential, and clarity of execution, with top teams advancing through multiple elimination rounds. Along the way, you may receive feedback from entrepreneurs and business professionals, especially if you advance to later stages.
Cost/Prizes: Free; recognition for top teams (no major cash prizes specified)
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Competition period: February 2 – April 13
Submission Deadline: Registration closes January 28; Phase 1 due March 2; final presentations April 13
Eligibility: High school students worldwide in teams of 3–5 from the same school, with an advisor; recommended Algebra I background
Instead of starting with theory, you’re given a large real-world dataset in this competition and asked to figure out what matters in it. Teams work through multiple phases in which you analyze sports data, such as ice hockey performance metrics, to build models, generate insights, and predict outcomes. The first phase focuses on exploratory analysis and initial predictions, while later rounds require you to clearly explain your methodology in structured presentations. As the competition progresses, communication becomes just as important as technical work, especially when presenting findings to judges. You’ll collaborate closely with teammates to divide tasks like coding, interpretation, and visualization, often using tools common in data science workflows.
Cost/Prizes: Free for students (schools pay registration fees; awards include qualification to higher-level competitions rather than cash prizes)
Location: Administered through schools, universities, and approved testing centers
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective progression-based
Dates: AMC 10/12 A: November 5; AMC 10/12 B: November 13; AIME: February 5 or February 11; USAMO/USAJMO: March 21–22
Submission Deadline: Registration deadlines vary by school (typically September–October; late registration in late October)
Eligibility: AMC 10: grade 10 and below (under 17.5); AMC 12: grade 12 and below (under 19.5); must be enrolled through a registered school or testing site
This competition series focuses on timed, multiple-choice problem solving rather than long-form projects or essays. You’ll complete a 25-question exam that tests your ability to apply concepts from algebra, geometry, number theory, and probability under time pressure. Strong performance can qualify you for invitational rounds like the AIME and, at the highest level, the USA Mathematical Olympiad, where problems become proof-based and significantly more challenging. The structure is individual, with no collaboration, and emphasizes both speed and accuracy in unfamiliar problem settings. While there is no formal mentorship component within the competition itself, many students prepare through math clubs, coaching programs, or independent study.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free competitions for high school students?
Strong options depend on a student's interests. Students interested in research might consider Regeneron STS or the International Research Olympiad, those drawn to writing might look at the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award or John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize, and those interested in business might consider the Wharton Investment Competition or Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition.
Are these competitions really free to enter?
Most are fully free, including Regeneron STS, the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, National Economics Challenge, and National Science Bowl. A few involve small fees, such as the International Research Olympiad's $25 registration (with fee waivers available) and the USA Physics Olympiad's school-paid registration fee.
Which free competitions offer the largest cash prizes?
Regeneron Science Talent Search offers the largest top prize at $250,000, with around $1.8 million distributed in total. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest offers $10,000 for first place, and Samsung Solve for Tomorrow offers prizes up to $100,000 in school resources.
Do free competitions require a team or can students compete individually?
Both formats exist. Competitions like AMC 10/12, the Bennington Young Writers Awards, and the John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize are individual, while the National Economics Challenge, National Science Bowl, and Wharton Investment Competition require teams, often with a teacher advisor or coach.
Which free competitions focus on writing rather than STEM?
The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize, Profile in Courage Essay Contest, and Bennington College Young Writers Awards are all centered on writing, covering academic essays, political analysis, and creative writing respectively.
When should I apply to free competitions for high school students?
Deadlines are spread throughout the year. Early deadlines include the Bennington Young Writers Awards (September 1 to November 1) and AMC registration (September to October), while others like Regeneron STS (November 6) and the Profile in Courage Essay Contest (January 12) fall later in the school year.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.