15 International Online Competitions for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 minutes ago
- 13 min read
As a high school student, international online competitions give you the opportunity to challenge yourself academically, pursue your interests, and connect with students from around the world. Whether you're interested in writing, entrepreneurship, science, technology, finance, or public speaking, these competitions allow you to apply what you know in a structured and competitive environment. Many also offer scholarships, awards, publication opportunities, and recognition from universities, nonprofits, and professional organizations.
Why Participate in an International Online Competition?
Participating in an international competition can help you develop valuable skills such as critical thinking, research, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. Depending on the competition, you may write essays, analyze complex problems, design innovative solutions, conduct research, or present your ideas to judges. These experiences can help you deepen your understanding of a subject while building a portfolio of work that reflects your interests and strengths. International competitions can also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to engage with challenging academic or creative work.
In this blog, you’ll find 15 international online competitions for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These competitions span essay writing and academic argumentation (Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Horizon Academic Essay Prize, Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition), entrepreneurship and innovation (Blue Ocean, Conrad Challenge, Microsoft Imagine Cup), science and biology (USABO, DNA Day Essay Contest, Robotics for Good), and finance and computing (Wharton Investment Competition, ACSL), giving students a wide range of disciplines to engage with.
Most competitions are free to enter, including the Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition, Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition, Horizon Academic Essay Prize, Wharton Investment Competition, DNA Day Essay Contest, Robotics for Good, and Learning to Be Heard, while a few, such as Microsoft Imagine Cup and USABO, involve registration or participation costs.
Several competitions offer substantial prizes or scholarships, including the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award (over $11,000 in total awards), Microsoft Imagine Cup (up to $100,000), Horizon Academic Essay Prize (up to $1,000 cash plus scholarships up to $6,450), and Learning to Be Heard (full or partial scholarships to TED Summer School).
Several competitions culminate in in-person finals or summits in notable locations, including Conrad Challenge (Space Center Houston), STEM Olympiad (Rome), Wharton Investment Competition (Philadelphia), USABO (Harvard University, then an international round abroad), and Robotics for Good (Geneva), rewarding top performers with real-world networking and presentation opportunities.
Students interested in writing-based competitions have multiple strong options at different difficulty levels, including the concise 1,000-word Horizon Academic Essay Prize, the 2,000-word research-driven Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, the letter-format UPU International Letter-Writing Competition, and the science-focused DNA Day Essay Contest.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: February – April
Submission Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students aged 18 or younger who are nationals or residents of Commonwealth countries
Cost/Prizes: Free; regional winners invited to London for a week of cultural events and an awards ceremony
Location: Virtual (international competition)
This competition invites you to respond to a broad, globally-themed prompt with an original piece of writing that can take many forms, such as a story, essay, or poem. You’ll select one topic and develop a response of up to 1,000 words, focusing on how clearly and creatively you express your ideas. Unlike timed contests, you have the flexibility to draft, revise, and refine your work before submission. Entries are judged on originality, voice, and how effectively they engage with the theme, rather than length or complexity alone. Finalists are selected from across the Commonwealth, highlighting diverse perspectives from around the world.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: March 9 – April 26
Submission Deadline: April 26
Eligibility: High school students worldwide enrolled as of December 31
Cost/Prizes: Free; $11,000+ in cash prizes and scholarships; publication opportunities
Location: Online
In this competition, you’ll choose from a set of intellectually demanding prompts, ranging from philosophy and politics to science and AI, and craft a research-based argumentative essay capped at 2,000 words. What makes this award stand out is its emphasis on depth of reasoning: judges expect you to engage seriously with counterarguments, use credible sources, and build a clear, persuasive line of thought. Essays are reviewed in a double-blind process by an academic panel that includes professors from institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Brown, so clarity and rigor matter a great deal. This is best suited for students who want to sharpen analytical writing skills and demonstrate the ability to think independently about complex, interdisciplinary questions.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Registration open year-round; February – May competition cycle
Submission Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students worldwide (ages 14–18), individually or in teams of up to 5
Cost/Prizes: Free; cash prizes up to $1,000 plus regional awards and certificates
Location: Virtual (global)
If you’re interested in entrepreneurship but don’t yet have a startup, this competition gives you a structured way to turn an idea into a full pitch. You’ll identify a real-world problem, design a “blue ocean” business concept (focused on creating new market space), and present it through a short video pitch. Along the way, you’ll use frameworks and templates provided by the competition to refine your idea and make it more viable. Judges evaluate submissions based on innovation, feasibility, market potential, and clarity of communication, with top teams advancing through multiple rounds. You also get exposure to feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and a global community of students working on similar ideas.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Submission period leading up to February 1
Submission Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students worldwide enrolled as of September 1
Cost/Prizes: Free; cash prizes up to $1,000 + scholarships up to $6,450
Location: Online
This essay competition centers on one broad theme — “The Pursuit of Progress” — but gives you flexibility to approach it through topics like mental health, bioethics, migration, or surveillance. You’ll write a concise (under 1,000 words) argument-driven essay, which means every sentence has to carry weight: there’s less room for filler and more pressure to be precise and original. What distinguishes this competition is its focus on intellectual independence; judges explicitly look for essays that engage deeply with opposing viewpoints and demonstrate the ability to reshape a reader’s perspective. Submissions go through a double-blind evaluation by a panel of researchers and academics, with top essays recognized across tiers (Grand prizes, Gold/Silver/Bronze, etc.). This is a strong option if you want to practice making tightly argued, high-impact claims in a shorter format while still competing at a highly selective, research-oriented level.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: August 28 – April 25
Submission Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18 worldwide; teams allowed
Cost/Prizes: There is no information available; prizes include scholarships, funded travel, and innovation awards
Location: Virtual + Space Center Houston (final summit)
If you’re interested in turning ideas into real-world ventures, this competition walks you through that process step by step. You’ll work in a team to identify a global problem, across areas like energy, health, or technology, and develop a solution that has both scientific grounding and entrepreneurial potential. Over several months, participants move through structured phases, refining their concept, building prototypes or plans, and preparing a formal pitch. Finalist teams are invited to present their innovations at an in-person summit, where they interact with industry professionals and receive feedback from judges. The experience emphasizes collaboration, communication, and practical problem-solving rather than just technical knowledge.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: February 18 – June 2
Submission Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Students aged 18+ enrolled in an accredited institution; teams of up to 4 students
Cost/Prizes: Up to $100,000 USD, mentorship with industry leaders, and global exposure opportunities
Location: Virtual + global finals (World Championship)
You’ll work in a small team to develop an AI-driven solution that tackles a real-world problem, integrating Microsoft technologies into your product. The process involves creating a functional prototype or minimum viable product, along with a pitch deck and demo that clearly communicate your idea’s impact and scalability. As you advance, you receive mentorship, technical support, and feedback from industry professionals, helping you refine both the technology and business side of your project. The competition is divided into different tracks depending on how developed your idea is, so you can participate whether you’re still prototyping or already gaining traction.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: January – July (multi-round competition cycle)
Submission Deadline: November 15
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12); must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to advance beyond the first round
Cost/Prizes: $125 per school registration; medals, recognition, and selection to represent the U.S. at the International Biology Olympiad
Location: Online exams; National Finals held in person (e.g., Harvard University); international round abroad
For students serious about biology, this competition offers a structured path from broad participation to elite international recognition. You’ll begin with a nationwide online multiple-choice exam, and if you place highly, move on to a more rigorous semifinal that tests deeper conceptual understanding and written responses. The top performers are invited to an intensive National Finals program, where you’ll spend around two weeks in lab-focused training with professors, researchers, and former Olympiad medalists. During this stage, you’ll engage in advanced topics like genetics, physiology, ecology, and bioinformatics while preparing for both theoretical and practical exams. From there, the highest scorers are selected to represent the United States at the International Biology Olympiad.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: November 23 – July 8
Submission Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students globally (multiple school levels; individual participation in math, science, and technology/engineering tracks)
Cost/Prizes: There is no information available
Location: Online rounds + Rome, Italy (Grand Final)
A good fit for students who enjoy applying concepts across multiple STEM subjects, this Olympiad blends math, science, and engineering into a single multi-stage competition. You’ll begin with online qualification exams, where you can choose between different testing windows, before advancing to timed final rounds that assess your problem-solving across subject areas. As you progress, the structure becomes more selective, culminating in the “Best of the Best” round and an in-person grand final in Rome. This experience emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking, pushing you to connect ideas across fields rather than focus narrowly on one topic. The format also introduces proctored online testing and structured exam schedules, helping you build both accuracy and time management.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 19 – August 23
Submission Deadline: August 10
Eligibility: High school students worldwide (grades 9–12), in teams of 3–4 or assigned teams if applying individually
Cost/Prizes: $120 – $200, depending on registration deadline; winning team receives internship opportunity and certificate
Location: Virtual
You’ll spend this competition stepping into the role of a consultant, working with a small team to tackle a real challenge faced by a startup. After the case is released, you’ll have several weeks to research the company, analyze its problem, and design a solution supported by a written report, slide deck, and prototype. Along the way, you’ll meet regularly with mentors, often university students from top programs, who guide your thinking and help refine your approach. The experience is intentionally hands-on, pushing you to balance creativity with practical business reasoning while collaborating closely with teammates. Finalist teams get the chance to present directly to judges, including startup founders, which adds a real-world stakes element to the process.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: No information available
Submission Deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Students aged 9–15 worldwide (must be 15 or younger by the deadline)
Cost/Prizes: Free; international winners receive medals (gold, silver, bronze), certificates, and potential travel to an awards ceremony
Location: Global (national competitions leading to an international round)
If you enjoy expressing ideas through writing, this competition gives you a chance to turn a simple letter into something globally impactful. You’ll respond to an annual theme: in the most recent edition, it focuses on why human connection matters in a digital world, and you'll craft a thoughtful letter addressed to a friend. Entries are first judged at the national level, where each country selects a top submission before advancing it to the international stage for final evaluation. Along the way, you’re expected to follow traditional letter structure and clearly communicate your perspective within a word limit. The judging emphasizes originality, clarity, and how well you engage with the theme, rather than the complexity of your writing.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: September 29 – April 25
Submission Deadline: December 12
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) in teams of 4–6 with a teacher advisor from the same school
Cost/Prizes: Free to participate; finalists present at Wharton (travel costs not covered)
Location: Virtual + Philadelphia, USA (Global Finale)
If you’re curious about how investing actually works beyond theory, this competition gives you a structured way to try it yourself. You and your team will manage a simulated portfolio using $500,000 in virtual funds, making decisions about stocks, ETFs, and diversification strategies while responding to a real client case. Along the way, you’ll research industries, evaluate companies, and justify each trade through written reasoning. The experience emphasizes collaboration and communication just as much as financial knowledge, since your final ranking depends heavily on how clearly you explain your strategy. As the competition progresses, top teams advance to present their ideas to judges, culminating in a global finale at Wharton.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: January 9 – April 24
Submission Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) worldwide
Cost/Prizes: Free; cash prizes, recognition, and potential equipment grants for teachers
Location: Online
If you’re interested in genetics and enjoy writing, this contest challenges you to explore real scientific questions and form your own perspective. Each year, you’ll respond to a prompt centered on modern developments in genetics, such as evaluating new therapies, by writing a concise, evidence-based essay. Submissions go through multiple rounds of judging by members of the scientific community, who evaluate both your scientific understanding and your ability to construct a clear argument. You’ll need to balance technical accuracy with accessible explanation, while also considering ethical and societal implications of the topic. Essays are limited in length, so strong organization and focused reasoning matter just as much as content knowledge.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: October 1 – July 10
Submission Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students typically ages ~8–18 (Junior and Senior divisions based on birth year ranges)
Cost/Prizes: Free; includes global recognition, exhibition opportunities, and potential participation in the AI for Good Global Summit
Location: Global (local chapters + online submission + final in Geneva)
This challenge is built around the idea that you learn robotics best by actually designing something that solves a real-world problem. You’ll work in a team to design, build, and program a robot aligned with a global theme, often tied to sustainability or social impact, without being restricted to a specific kit or platform. Depending on where you live, you can compete at a local event or submit your project as a video for judging, making the competition relatively accessible compared to many robotics tournaments. Along the way, you’ll develop technical skills in programming and engineering, but you'll also spend a lot of time on collaboration, project management, and clearly presenting your solution. Top teams advance to an international Grand Finale held during the AI for Good Global Summit, where you can showcase your work and interact with researchers and policymakers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: January 23 – March 20 (results); TED Summer School in July & August
Submission Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 worldwide (English proficiency recommended but not required)
Cost/Prizes: Free; full or partial scholarships to TED Summer School
Location: Virtual
You’ll submit a one-minute video responding to a broad prompt about what message you’d share with the world, which means the focus is much more on clarity of thought and authenticity than polished speaking technique. Unlike traditional debate or speech competitions, there’s no formal structure. You’re evaluated on how original your idea is, how clearly you express it, and how well it connects to your personal perspective. Strong submissions can earn scholarships to the TED Summer School, where you’ll further develop storytelling, communication, and presentation skills in a more immersive setting.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective (finals qualification based on performance)
Dates: Regular season (four contests) throughout the academic year; Finals: May 23
Submission Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: K–12 students participating through a school, team, or organization
Cost/Prizes: ~$175 per team (first team); $35 for Finals; awards based on individual performance
Location: Online
If you’re looking to build consistency in competitive computer science, ACSL offers a structured season of contests spread across the year. You’ll compete in four rounds that test topics such as number systems, Boolean algebra, and algorithms, with higher divisions including a programming component in languages such as Python, Java, or C++. The format blends multiple-choice “short problems” with coding challenges, so you develop both theoretical understanding and practical implementation skills. Performance across the season determines whether you qualify for the final round, where top students compete individually in a timed online contest.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best international online competitions for high school students?
Strong options depend on a student's interests. Students drawn to academic writing might consider the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award or Horizon Academic Essay Prize; those interested in entrepreneurship might look at the Blue Ocean Competition or Conrad Challenge; and those passionate about science might consider USABO or the DNA Day Essay Contest.
Are there free international competitions for high school students?
Yes, many competitions are free, including the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Horizon Academic Essay Prize, Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition, Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition, Wharton Investment Competition, DNA Day Essay Contest, Robotics for Good, and Learning to Be Heard. Competitions like USABO and ACSL involve small registration or team fees.
Which international competitions are open to students outside the United States?
The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition, Lumiere Scholars Essay Award, Horizon Academic Essay Prize, Blue Ocean Competition, Conrad Challenge, STEM Olympiad, CaseCatalyst, UPU International Letter-Writing Competition, Robotics for Good, and Learning to Be Heard all welcome international participants. USABO, by contrast, requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency to advance beyond the first round.
Which competitions focus on entrepreneurship or business rather than academics?
Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition, Conrad Challenge, Microsoft Imagine Cup, CaseCatalyst, and Wharton Global High School Investment Competition all center on entrepreneurship, innovation, or financial strategy, making them strong options for students interested in business-oriented challenges.
Do any international competitions lead to publication or formal academic recognition?
Yes, the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award offers publication opportunities for top essays; DNA Day Essay Contest submissions are reviewed by members of the scientific community and recognized by the American Society of Human Genetics; and USABO recognition includes selection to represent the United States at the International Biology Olympiad.
When should I apply to international online competitions for high school students?
Deadlines are spread throughout the year. Early deadlines include Horizon Academic Essay Prize (February 1), Conrad Challenge (January 8), and DNA Day Essay Contest (March 4), while others, such as the Lumiere Scholars Essay Award (April 26), Wharton Investment Competition (December 12), and ACSL (December 31 registration), fall at different points across the academic year.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. 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.