16 Online Competitions for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Nov 29, 2023
- 11 min read
Updated: May 5
Participating in competitions as a high school student strengthens your extracurricular profile, boosts your chances for college scholarships, and opens doors to future opportunities. In this blog, we’ve curated 16 remote competitions for ambitious high school students. Our list spans a range of subjects from chemistry to poetry, so there’s something for everyone!
If you’re looking to find competitions for just one field, here are some great opportunities for high schoolers in engineering, biology, art and design, entrepreneurship, writing, and more.
What should I look for in a remote competition?
Credibility: Opt for remote competitions with an established reputation. We have detailed the organizing entity, past winners, and the competition’s standing within the relevant industry or academic community.
Cost: Consider the finances, including registration fees or any other costs associated with participation. This list includes remote competitions that offer affordable pricing or are free to enter.
Judging Criteria: Well-defined judging criteria clarify how submissions will be assessed. We have detailed this information to help you tailor your entries to meet the judges' expectations.
Networking Opportunities: Yes, remote competitions can offer participants networking avenues. Most of the opportunities in this list help you to connect with professionals, peers, and experts in the field through virtual events, forums, or mentorship programs.
Recognition: Recognition not only validates your efforts but can also open doors to further opportunities, such as internships, scholarships, or career advancement. This can include awards, certificates, or mentions in industry publications.
With that said, take a look at our list of 15 standout remote high school competitions that can strengthen your academic profile before college applications. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
The Horizon Academic Essay Prize is a selective essay contest for high school students from around the world. Each essay will be evaluated by Horizon’s Academic Advisory Board—composed of faculty from top institutions like Yale, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge. The theme is “Horizons of Knowledge”, and requires participants to submit a well-researched essay.
As a contestant, you will choose one of three guiding questions below, and submit a critical essay on the chosen question.
In an increasingly AI-driven world, how is our ability to think for ourselves changing?
In today's digital age, is privacy still a relevant concern?
Should governments regulate what is shared on social media to prevent the spread of fake news?
Submissions must take the form of a formal academic essay, written in English, and should include a clear thesis, structured argumentation, engagement with relevant sources, and critical analysis of competing viewpoints. The competition encourages depth over breadth, and will reward essays that pursue a well-defined line of inquiry with originality and nuance. Entries are judged on five criteria: originality, depth of analysis, use of evidence, structure and coherence, and clarity of language.
Eligibility: Students from any country enrolled in high school (as on July 13) can apply. More details on eligibility here!
Application deadline: July 13. Apply here!
Contest dates: Submissions open May 1, winners announced on August 26.
Prizes: Top entries will receive cash prizes up to $1000 and full scholarships to the Horizon Academic Research Program. Select essays will be published and featured on Horizon’s website.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
For Biology enthusiasts, the USA Biolympiad offers a compelling challenge, attracting over 10,000 participants annually. Engaging in activities and quizzes across diverse topics, participants progress through two timed online exam rounds. The top 20 finalists undergo advanced training at Marymount University, with four finalists representing the USA at the International Biology Olympiad in Kazakhstan. We’ve broken down how to prepare for USABO here.
Eligibility: Open to all US high school students.
Application Deadline: November 10 (school registration).
Competition Dates: February 1- Online Open Exam (OE), April 4- Semifinal Exam, May 24- National Finals Begin, July 7 to 14- International Biology Olympiad (Astana, Kazakhstan).
Other important dates are available here.
Cost: No cost for students if the school registers for USABO. National exam transportation is the student’s responsibility. Students must pay country visa costs for the country in which the IBO will be held. Room and board are available for both in-person exams. Financial aid is available.
Prizes: Medals, awards.
Location: Virtual for open exams and semi-finals. National finals are in person at a host university. The International Biology Olympiad is in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 7–14
Doodle for Google is an art contest where you have the chance to design a Google logo based on an annual theme. Using any art material, submit your doodle and a write-up explaining its significance. The theme was previously “Express Your Gratitude Through Imagination." Entries are judged on creativity and theme communication at the State and National levels. This contest is competitive, as thousands of applicants send entries each year. US states and territories vote for their favorite entries to determine 5 national finalists. A panel of employees from Google selects 1 national winner out of the 5 finalists. Learn more about this art contest in our guide here.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students worldwide.
Application Deadline: TBA.
Prizes: Win a $30,000 college scholarship, a $50,000 technology package for your school, Google hardware, and a 24-hour feature of your artwork on Google’s homepage.
Cost: No cost
Teams of 1–4 high school students globally can participate in the Harvard Pre-Collegiate Economics Challenge (HPEC). This competition includes individual and team rounds on AP Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, economic news, history, research, and applications in fields like education and the environment. Besides aiding AP Economics exam preparation, the competition allows you to network, attend presentations, and interact with professors and economists. More details about the challenge can be found here, and tips on how to boost your chances of winning are covered here.
Eligibility: All high school students.
Application Deadline: TBA
Prizes: Awards, prizes
Cost: Team registration fee of $125.
As one of the most significant virtual pitch competitions for high school students, the Blue Ocean Competition has attracted more than 2293 participants from 135 countries. Upon registration, participants engage with mentors and peers globally, benefiting from feedback and support through Q&A and brainstorming sessions. The culmination involves presenting a 5-minute pitch individually or as a team. Take a look at the recommended resources before joining the challenge! We’ve also covered this competition in more depth in our review here.
Eligibility: High school students aged between 14 to 18 years at registration, including international students.
Application Deadline: 18 February
Prizes: Cash prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500, respectively, for the top three winners, and an additional $750 for a people’s choice award winner. Certificates for participants and awards for participating schools.
Cost: No cost
Location: Virtual
This contest welcomes entries in diverse genres, from critical essays to short stories, advancing from regional to national levels. Local organizations host regional competitions, and winners progress to the national stage. Students in grades 7 through 12 in the U.S. can participate. Judging criteria include assessing skill, originality, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Learn more about why you should submit to this competition in our deep dive here.
Eligibility: Student in grades 7–12, age 13 years or older as of the date of entry, and residing in the United States, U.S. territories or military bases, or Canada.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by region and can be as early as December 1 until January.
Prizes: Honorable Mentions, Silver or Gold Keys, or American Visions and Voices Medals at the regional level. National award winners attend the ceremony at Carnegie Hall, with sponsored monetary rewards and scholarship opportunities varying by genre and sponsor.
Cost: Entry fees of $10 per individual entry or $30 for a portfolio, with waivers available for eligible applicants.
Location: Virtual
In this challenge, teams conduct a global science experiment using a soil simulant to explore crop growth in lunar or Martian conditions. Along with the 5kg bag of soil simulant, teams receive a pH meter, ten KN95 masks, ten pots, and access to the PTMC guide. Teams can comprise up to 10 students. Following a 10-week period, teams submit project reports, contributing to research on sustainable food sources for space missions. All participants are invited to a virtual symposium with NASA scientists.
Eligibility: High school students from all over the world can participate.
Application Deadline: December 19 (international registration closes), January 14 (normal registration closes)
Prizes: Best in Show Awards
Cost: Team registration fee of $405 covering up to 10 students and one kit. The cost of any supplemental materials used by teams is not covered.
ACSL, in its 46th continuous year, organizes computer programming and science contests for K-12 institutions globally. In the last season, around 8,000 students from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia engaged in competitions. The season comprises four online contests evaluating fundamental computer science concepts. Topics range from Number Systems to Digital Electronics, with upper divisions featuring programming challenges in Python, C++, or Java. Learn more about this competition in our guide here.
Eligibility: Elementary, middle, or high school students can apply. Please ensure your school has registered for the competition.
Application Deadline: December 31
Competition Dates: Contest 1: November 1 to January 14 | Contest 2: January 2 to March 3 | Contest 3: February 5 to April 7 | Contest 4: March 11 to May 12
Prizes: Prizes (undisclosed) and certificates
Cost: Registration cost for the first team in a Division is $150 ($100 for the Elementary Division), while additional teams in a Division are $75 each ($50 each for the Elementary Division). Each team is allowed a maximum of 12 students.
The UN World Wildlife Day Art Contest is a prestigious global competition for high school students interested in wildlife conservation. Participants are encouraged to focus on a species that has thrived due to collaborative efforts. Artwork may explore the contributions of local leaders, scientists, governments, or communities dedicated to conserving biodiversity. Submissions created with markers, crayons, colored pencils, and/or paint are welcome.
Eligibility: High school students from all over the world
Submission Deadline: TBA
Prizes: The winning entry will be presented at the World Wildlife Day Event on March 3rd
Cost: No cost
EngineerGirl’s annual contest focuses on engineering’s impact. The Writing Contest prompts students to explore the lifecycle of an object used daily. Entries, up to 1,200 words, can adopt first or third-person perspectives, emphasizing at least three engineering disciplines. Winners will be announced in the summer. Judging criteria will consider the presentation of engineering, perspectives considered, and the quality of writing. Read more about this competition in this PDF.
Eligibility: Elementary, middle school, and high school students can register.
Submission Deadline: February 1
Prizes: For each age group, first-place winners will be awarded $1,000, second-place entries will be awarded $750, and third-place entries will be awarded $500
Cost: No cost
The AAN Neuroscience Research Prize encourages high school students to explore neuroscience through research, recognizing scientific talent and potential contributions to the field. Entries undergo two rounds of review by a panel of neuroscience professionals. The application includes an abstract (300 words max), research report, bibliography, and confirmation from a parent/guardian, teacher, and mentor. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about this research prize.
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in secondary school (grades 9–12) in the United States.
Submission Deadline: TBA
Prizes: Winners will receive a $1,000 prize, a certificate of recognition, and the opportunity to present their work during a scientific poster session at AAN’s Annual Meeting.
Cost: Each winner and their parent or mentor will receive coach airfare, two nights hotel, $100 per diem for expenses (up to two days), and complimentary meeting registration.
12. ChemiCo
ChemiCo is an international Olympiad-style Chemistry competition. Covering subjects like stoichiometry calculations, reactions, the periodic table, atomic structure, chemical bonding, and experimental chemistry, the competition spans languages such as English, Russian, French, Portuguese, and Romanian. With over 5,000 entries from 40+ countries, ChemiCo offers global participation. Check out sample questions to help you prepare for the competition as well as school tests!
Eligibility: Students from 7–12 grade, regardless of age.
Registration Deadline: TBA
Competition Dates: Not disclosed. 5 competitions run virtually throughout the year in Spring and Fall.
Prizes: Cash prizes, certificates, awards
The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize by The Kenyon Review is a prestigious competition for high school sophomores and juniors worldwide. Named after former editor Patricia Grodd, it provides a platform for emerging poets to showcase their talent and gain recognition from a renowned literary magazine. The contest offers valuable support and serves as a launching pad for young writers to pursue their creative aspirations in literature.
Eligibility: Must be high school sophomores and juniors.
Submission Deadline: November 30.
Prizes: Winning and runners-up poems will be published in The Kenyon Review, and the winner will receive a full scholarship to the Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop.
Cost: No cost
The World Historian Student Essay Competition is open internationally to students in grades K–12. Each participant must submit a 1,000-word essay on one of the provided topics, delving into its personal significance and its connection to world history. Papers will be judged on a clear thesis, well-supported with specific examples, critical thinking, effective organization, and the student’s ability to convey a personal connection to the study of world history. Learn more about this essay competition in our dedicated blog.
Eligibility: Students from kindergarten to grade 12 can participate.
Submission Deadline: May 1
Prizes: $500 prize to winners in addition to a one-year membership in the WHA.
Cost: No cost
Location: Virtual. Submissions can be via email or post.
AMC is one of the largest and most prestigious math competitions globally, attracting over 300,000 students annually. The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are 25-question, 75-minute multiple-choice exams in high school mathematics aimed at fostering problem-solving skills. The AMC 10 is for students in 10th grade and below, covering the high school curriculum up to the 10th grade. The AMC 12 includes the entire high school curriculum, excluding calculus. We’ve covered more on how the AMC 10/12 is structured and scored and how to study for it in our guide here.
Eligibility: Students in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years old on the contest day can participate in AMC 10. Students in grade 12 or below under 19.5 years old can participate in AMC 12.
Application Deadline: TBA
Competition Dates: TBA
Prizes: Certificates and award pins
Cost: $128 registration fee for schools
If you are interested in doing university-level research to pair with your competitive experience, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
16. Davidson Fellows
The Davidson Institute annually organizes its Fellows program to support students in engineering. Successful teams receive prizes reaching up to $50,000, providing crucial support for future research or academic endeavors. Participants must form teams of no more than 2 students and present work that matches or closely approaches a college graduate level in terms of depth, subject understanding, and presentation quality. An entry, for instance, could involve the creation of the world’s inaugural ultra-low-cost, mind-controlled prosthetic arm. Learn more about this program in our guide. The program invites applications across various subjects.
Eligibility: All high school students under the age of 18 who reside in the US can apply
Application Deadline: February 14
Cost: No cost.
Prizes: Scholarships worth $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000, and the title of a ‘Davidson Fellow’
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.
Image Source: MAA AMC logo