Major Research Competitions & Awards
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
- Award Amount: $10,000, $25,000, or $50,000
- Deadline: Mid-February 2025 (typically around February 15)
- Eligibility: Students under 18 who have completed significant research
- Focus: STEM, literature, music, philosophy, or innovative projects
- Link: Davidson Fellows
- Note: Highly prestigious - winners considered scholars on par with college graduates
Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)
- Award Amount: Over $2 million total; first place $250,000
- Application Opens: June 1, 2025
- Deadline: Early November 2025 (for next year)
- Eligibility: High school seniors with original research
- Link: Regeneron STS
- Note: Nation’s oldest and most prestigious science competition
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
- Award Amount: Up to $75,000 for top awards
- Dates: May 11-17, 2025 (Los Angeles)
- Deadline: Varies by regional fair (typically January-March)
- Eligibility: Grades 9-12, must qualify through affiliated fair
- Link: Intel ISEF
Coolidge Scholarship
- Award Amount: Full-ride scholarship (tuition, room, board, expenses)
- Application Period: Junior year of high school
- Eligibility: Any background, any field of study
- Link: Coolidge Scholarship
- Note: Recipients notified before college applications; includes Coolidge Senators program
Technology & Computer Science Awards
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC)
- Award Levels: National Winner, Honorable Mention, Rising Star
- Application Opens: September (typically)
- Deadline: Usually November
- Notification: January 2025
- Eligibility: 9th-12th grade women, genderqueer, and non-binary students
- Prizes: Recognition, scholarships, internship opportunities
- Link: NCWIT AiC
- Note: Over 3,700 applicants in 2025; 40 national winners, 360 honorable mentions
USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
- Competition Dates: Throughout academic year
- Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum
- Link: USACO
Google Science Fair
- Award Amount: Various scholarships and prizes
- Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18
- Focus: Innovative projects making a difference
- Link: Check Google Science Fair website for current status
STEM Olympiads
USA Biology Olympiad (USABO)
- Finals: 20 finalists train at Marymount University
- International: Top 4 represent USA at IBO
- IBO 2025: July 7-14, Astana, Kazakhstan
- Link: USABO
Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO)
- Levels: Local, National, International
- Link: ACS Chemistry Olympiad
USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO)
- Qualification: Through AMC 10/12 and AIME
- Link: MAA Competitions
Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)
- Link: AAPT Physics Olympiad
Project-Based Competitions
ExploraVision
- Award: $10,000 savings bond (at maturity), trip to DC
- Deadline: January 31, 2025
- Team Size: 2-4 students
- Focus: Envision technology 10+ years in future
- Link: ExploraVision
MIT THINK Scholars Program
- Award: Up to $1,000 seed funding + mentorship
- Submission: 10-page project proposal
- Eligibility: US citizens/permanent residents
- Note: No finished project required
- Link: MIT THINK
Conrad Challenge
- Categories: Various innovation challenges
- Finals: Innovation Summit at Space Center Houston
- Prize: Pete Conrad Scholar title + various benefits
- Link: Conrad Challenge
Genes in Space
- Timeline:
- Opens: January 6, 2025
- Deadline: April 14, 2025
- Winners announced: July 31, 2025
- Prize: Experiment conducted on ISS
- Link: Genes in Space
Engineering & Robotics
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)
- Season: January-April
- Championship: Houston, Texas
- Cost: Registration varies by round
- Link: FIRST Robotics
Science Olympiad
- 2025 Rules Release: September 3, 2024
- Levels: Regional, State, National
- Events: 23 team events across disciplines
- Link: Science Olympiad
Specialized STEM Scholarships
National STEM Excellence Scholarship
- Award: $10,000 (up to 100 recipients)
- Deadline: April 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM CT
- GPA: Minimum 3.5/4.0
- Link: Scholarship America
SMART Scholarship (DoD)
- Award: Full tuition + $25,000-$38,000 stipend
- Deadline: December 6, 2024 (for 2025)
- Commitment: Post-grad employment with DoD
- GPA: Minimum 3.0
- Link: SMART Scholarship
Siemens Competition (Note: Check current status)
- Focus: Math, science, technology research
- Format: Individual or team projects
Other Notable Competitions
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
- Levels: Regional and National
- Awards: Scholarships at both levels
- Focus: Original STEM research presentations
- Link: JSHS
National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB)
- Format: Quiz-style competition
- Focus: Ocean sciences
- Finals: National championship
- Link: NOSB
MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge
- Open to: Juniors and Seniors
- Format: 14 continuous hours to solve problem
- Awards: $5,000-$20,000
- Deadline: February 21, 2025
Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge
- Format: 1-2 minute video solution
- Middle School: But worth noting for younger students
Application Tips
- Start Early: Many major competitions open applications in summer/fall for the following year
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your research process
- Get Endorsements: Many require teacher recommendations - ask early
- Multiple Applications: Apply to several compatible competitions with the same research
- Regional First: Many national competitions require qualifying through regional fairs
Important Notes
- Deadlines vary by region for some competitions
- Some competitions have changed or been discontinued - always verify current status
- Financial need is considered for many scholarships
- Most research competitions require significant advance preparation (6-12 months)
Resources for Finding More Opportunities
- Society for Science
- Scholarships.com STEM section
- Bold.org STEM Scholarships
- Your school’s science department and counseling office
- Regional STEM organizations and universities
Last updated: June 2025
