Top 10 Pre-Med Competitions for High Schoolers in 2026

If you’re a high schooler aiming for a career in healthcare, pre-med competitions are a great way to show your passion for medicine. They connect you with like-minded students, and winning a prestigious one can strengthen your college applications. This post covers ten of the top pre-med competitions for high school students, including overviews, key dates, and eligibility.

Bonus online competition: check out the International Research Olympiad (IRO), a premier competition for high school researchers. Because research is such a crucial part of the pre-med path, showing an aptitude for it reflects well on your college applications to top pre-med schools.

Rishab Jain, a Harvard student and winner of ISEF, RSI, Coca-Cola Scholars, and Presidential Scholars, has made his STEM Student Guide public, with a list of 50+ more opportunities and competitions. It’s worth a look next.

1. USA Biology Olympiad (USABO)

• About: one of the oldest and most prestigious biology competitions in the U.S., the USABO feeds directly into the International Biology Olympiad (IBO). It has two main exams, the Open Exam and the semifinal exam, covering all areas of biology, including cell biology, plant and animal anatomy and physiology, and biosystematics. Both theoretical and practical questions appear, and the exams are very difficult.
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents in grades 9-12.
• Awards: different distinctions at each level. Students who do well on the Open Exam advance and are named semifinalists; others may receive honorable mention certificates. The top 20 on the semifinal exam are invited to a training camp, from which 4 are chosen to represent the U.S. at the IBO.
• Dates: the Open Exam is in early February, the semifinal exam in March. Registration opens in August and closes in November.
• Cost: free.

2. HOSA-Future Health Professionals

• Description: recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, HOSA is a highly regarded national competition with events at various levels. Students in HOSA chapters compete in one of six event categories: health science, health professions, emergency preparedness, leadership, recognition, and teamwork.
• Eligibility: a HOSA member (through a local/school chapter), in middle school, high school, or a postsecondary institution.
• Awards: various awards at different competition levels.
• Dates: the season spans the academic year, from November to the International Leadership Conference in June.
• Cost: varies; club fees may apply.

3. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

• Description: sponsored by the Society for Science, Regeneron ISEF is the world’s premier pre-college STEM competition. Students worldwide qualify by winning affiliated regional science fairs, often through several rounds of selection. To enter, students prepare an original science project, enter one of 22 project categories, and pitch to judges.
• Eligibility: students in grades 9-12 or equivalent.
• Awards: scholarship awards up to $75,000 (top award).
• Dates: regional and state science fairs have varying deadlines. Check the Society for Science website to find your affiliated fair.
• Cost: fees for participating in fairs vary; some fairs reimburse expenses.

4. US Medicine & Disease Olympiad (USMDO)

• About: the US Medicine & Disease Olympiad is a newer competition consisting of one online exam. Like the USABO, it feeds directly into an international-level competition. The exam focuses on three areas of medicine-related biology: cell biology and genetics, human physiology, and human disease.
• Eligibility: all high school students in the U.S.
• Awards: finalist recognition (top 20); the top 8 scorers advance to the International Medicine & Disease Olympiad.
• Dates: usually held around July.
• Cost: $10 fee.

5. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)

• About: like ISEF, the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is a prestigious high school STEM competition. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, JSHS holds regional and national symposia where students compete for scholarships and opportunities, advancing through regionals before competing nationally.
• Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9-12.
• Awards: scholarships of up to $12,000.
• Dates: symposia usually occur in the second half of the U.S. academic year.
• Cost: free.

6. American Academy of Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize

• About: the American Academy of Neurology hosts the annual Neuroscience Research Prize to encourage high school students to explore neuroscience through research. Students submit independent, original neuroscience research, judged by physicians and scientists on relevance, creativity, data interpretation, and report quality.
• Eligibility: enrolled in grades 9-12 in the U.S.
• Awards: a $1,000 prize and an all-expenses-paid opportunity to present at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting.
• Dates: the application period runs from June to November.
• Cost: free.

7. Science Olympiad

• About: Science Olympiad is a popular team-based STEM program for middle and high schoolers. Teams compete in test-based and build-based events across many categories, from cell biology to astronomy, at the regional, state, and national levels.
• Eligibility: middle or high school students affiliated with a Science Olympiad chapter at their school.
• Awards: typically 1st to 3rd place medals for each event at each level.
• Dates: competitions run through the academic year, usually from October to the national competition in May.
• Cost: club fees vary.

8. Vision Global Health

• About: hosted by the Global Health and Leadership Conference at Harvard, Vision Global Health aims to build interest in global health education and develop leadership skills in high school students. Participants create proposals to solve health-related issues, write reports, and present at a conference, which is often held in a hybrid format (in person and online).
• Eligibility: high school students.
• Awards: announced each cycle.
• Dates: the conference is held annually; check the current year’s dates and application window.
• Cost: free.

9. National Science Bowl (NSB)

• About: sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the NSB is a prestigious, highly competitive national contest for students interested in STEM. It tests six main areas: chemistry, energy, Earth science, physics, biology, and math. Teams qualify by winning regional rounds.
• Eligibility: all high school students in the U.S.
• Awards: cash prizes and scholarships.
• Dates: regional competitions run from January to March; the national event is in late April.
• Cost: registration fees apply for regional competitions.

10. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)

• Description: also sponsored by the Society for Science, Regeneron STS is one of the most prestigious STEM awards in the U.S. Nearly 2,000 students submit research entries each year, from which 40 become finalists. It’s extremely competitive, with a lengthy application including essays, research materials, and letters of recommendation.
• Eligibility: high school seniors based in the U.S.
• Awards: cash prizes up to $250,000. Finalists are invited to Washington, D.C. to present their research.
• Dates: the deadline usually falls around November.
• Cost: free.

Conclusion

That’s ten of the top pre-med competitions for high schoolers. Competing brings real benefits: prestigious accolades, supportive communities, and deeper knowledge. As a high schooler, winning one is a strong way to show your passion for medicine and add substance to your college application.

Don’t stop at these ten, though. Check out 50+ more STEM opportunities in this curated guide. High school competitions aren’t just good for college applications, they also give you valuable experience and room to grow. Best of luck.

Image Credit: Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology