Winning awards in competitions can be a real boost for high school students, but many of the best-known ones are US-focused. This post covers 10 of the best international competitions open to high school students worldwide.
Excelling in these competitions helps you stand out on college applications, showing commitment, passion, and the ability to compete at an international level.
Before we start: Rishab Jain, a Harvard student and ISEF winner, has made his free Student STEM guide public, with a list of 50+ more opportunities and competitions. It’s worth a look after this post.
1. Bretton Woods International Economics Championship
Description: in the Bretton Woods International Economics Championship, teams of 2-4 students test their knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and general economics to win the title of best young economists.
Location: varies annually.
Application deadline: typically early February.
Eligibility: high school students, in teams of 2-4.
Cost: free to a nominal fee, depending on location.
Dates/duration: annually, typically a few days in spring or early summer.
2. International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition
Description: iGEM educates the workforce and future leaders of synthetic biology. The iGEM Foundation is an independent non-profit dedicated to advancing synthetic biology, education, and competition, and to building an open, collaborative community.
Location: varies; often held in Europe or Asia.
Cost: participation fee plus travel expenses.
Eligibility: high school teams with an adult supervisor.
Application deadline: typically in May.
Dates/duration: October or early November.
3. International Young Physicists’ Tournament
Description: the International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT) is a global competition where teams of high school students tackle complex physics problems. Unlike traditional contests, it emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and critical thinking. Teams present their solutions and also defend their findings against criticism from peers. Hosted in a different country each year, it’s a chance to explore physics in depth, build teamwork and communication skills, and connect with young physicists from around the world.
Location: varies by year (Budapest, Hungary in 2024).
Cost: participation fee plus travel expenses.
Eligibility: teams of high school students.
Application deadline: varies, late winter or early spring.
Dates/duration: July.
4. World Robot Olympiad
Description: the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) is an international robotics competition where teams of young people develop, design, and build robots to address challenges. It takes a hands-on approach to learning and gives students a global platform to show their robotics skills and connect with other enthusiasts.
Location: varies; recent events in Asia and Europe.
Cost: registration fees plus travel expenses.
Eligibility: teams of 2-3 students.
5. F1 in Schools STEM Challenge
Description: F1 in Schools introduces students to STEM through the creation of a miniature F1 car. Designed for teachers, informed by engineers, and endorsed by F1, the program sets students on the path to STEM skills while keeping it fun.
Location: the World Finals location varies.
Cost: varies.
Eligibility: students aged 9-19, in teams of 3-6.
6. The Conrad Challenge
Description: in the Conrad Challenge, high school students work through the entrepreneurial process to design an innovation that solves an important problem. The competition has four stages (activation, lean canvas, innovation, and power pitch), through which students gain experience in ideation, implementation, and presentation.
Location: online, with a summit held at various locations.
Cost: $499 for finalists attending the summit.
Eligibility: students aged 13-18 from around the world.
Challenge categories:
- Aerospace & Aviation
- Cyber-technology
- Security
- Energy & Environment
- Health & Nutrition
7. World Scholar’s Cup
Description: the World Scholar’s Cup is a global academic competition that encourages students to explore a broad range of subjects, from science and history to literature and art, all within an annual theme. It’s more than a contest: it fosters global community, teamwork, and the joy of learning through team debates, collaborative writing, and a quiz-style challenge called the Scholar’s Bowl.
Location: rounds held in many countries.
Cost: registration fee.
Eligibility: all high school students.
8. The Diamond Challenge
Description: the Diamond Challenge, run by the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship, invites high school students worldwide to build solutions to problems they care about. Participants develop a viable business concept and present it to a panel of judges. The challenge emphasizes business planning, creativity, and strategic thinking, and offers feedback, mentorship, and the chance to win awards and scholarships.
Location: based at the University of Delaware, with the finals summit in Wilmington, Delaware, plus virtual participation options.
Cost: free to enter.
Eligibility: high school students.
Application deadline: early winter.
9. Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Description: participants create short, imaginative videos that explain complex scientific theories and concepts in an accessible, engaging way. The challenge rewards creativity, clear expression, and storytelling. Winners receive significant educational prizes, including scholarships and a grant for their school’s science lab.
Cost: free to enter.
Eligibility: students aged 13-18 from around the world.
Application deadline: typically in June.
Dates/duration: annually.
10. International Environmental Project Olympiad (INEPO)
Description: the International Environmental Project Olympiad (INEPO) invites high school students from around the world to present innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Projects address issues in areas such as renewable energy, waste management, water conservation, and biodiversity.
Location: various international locations.
Cost: around 499 euros.
Eligibility: high school students aged 14-19.
Application deadline: varies.
Dates/duration: typically spring or early summer.
Want More Competitions?
Rishab Jain, a Harvard student and ISEF winner, has made his free Student STEM guide public, with a list of 50+ more opportunities and competitions. It’s worth a look next.
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