10 Free Online Competitions for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Feb 24
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 4
If you’re a high school student looking to gain competitive experience on a global level, free online competitions are the most accessible way to do so. These competitions offer opportunities to showcase knowledge, critical thinking, and analytical skills while solving real-world problems or exploring creative outlets. Participating in such competitions will allow you to expand your skill set, learn from peers and mentors, and receive recognition on national or international platforms.
Securing a rank in online competitions can also serve as a solid addition to your college applications and resumes. Whether you’re exploring interests in STEM, art, writing, or business, these competitions can demonstrate initiative and a commitment to excellence.
Often, the entry fees for prestigious competitions can serve as a barrier. But this list of 10 free online competitions for high schoolers gives you options that are accessible, prestigious, and great additions to your resume!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free of cost
Program Dates: Winners Announcement: January 30
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: US high school students are eligible to apply.
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is a prestigious competition for high school students with well-researched project proposals in science, technology, or engineering. You will submit research proposals for projects that can be completed within a semester and a $1,000 budget. The program encourages creativity and originality, offering funding and mentorship to help bring these ideas to life. Only six finalists are chosen each year, making the program highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 6% or less. Finalists receive an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT to meet professors, attend classes, and tour research facilities.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No information available
Eligibility: Open to high school students.
Application Deadline: Submission deadlines are typically in December; specific dates vary annually.
The Young Authors Writing Competition is an established competition for high schoolers interested in creative writing. Hosted by Columbia College Chicago's English and Creative Writing Department, it encourages high school students' creativity and storytelling abilities. This annual competition invites submissions in three categories: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Poetry. You can submit up to two pieces per category, each limited to ten pages. Submissions are evaluated on originality, technical ability, and the strength of the writer's voice. Winners receive recognition, and the college may feature select works. This competition fosters literary excellence and encourages you to engage with a community of peers and mentors.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free of cost
Program Dates: Competition: October 5 - 6 | Winner Announcement: January 16
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Open to all ages. Applicants under the age of 18 must be registered and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a global hackathon that invites coders, scientists, designers, and storytellers to solve space-related challenges. Using open data provided by NASA and its Space Agency Partners, you will work in teams of 1-6 members to create innovative solutions. Each year, the hackathon is centered around a specific theme, such as 2023's “Explore Open Science Together.” Winning teams are recognized with invitations to a Winners Celebration at a NASA center, where they engage with NASA leaders, showcase their solutions, and explore advancements in space science. This challenge is a prestigious opportunity to contribute to global scientific innovation.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Semifinals: February - March | World Championship: May
Application Deadline: Optional Idea Submission: October 31 (optional) | Minimum Viable Product Submission: January 22 (compulsory)
Eligibility: Current high school students at least 18 years old as of October 1 are eligible to compete. You can check the additional eligibility criteria here.
The Microsoft Imagine Cup is a premier global technology competition for students to create impactful solutions across categories like Earth, Education, Health, and Lifestyle. You will use Microsoft AI services and the Microsoft Cloud to develop projects that address real-world challenges. Submissions must include a pitch deck, recorded pitch, and demo video. The competition offers prizes, including a $100,000 grand prize, mentorship with Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella, and access to expert coaching and networking opportunities. To learn more about this contest, check out our full guide here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Applications open in the fall and close in February.
Application Deadline: February 12
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 18 or younger are eligible to apply.
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship, sponsored by the Davidson Institute, recognizes high school students who have demonstrated exceptional ability and achievement through a significant project. Categories for submission include Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and an “Outside the Box” category for interdisciplinary work. You must submit a 10-minute video detailing your project, essays explaining its significance, and teacher recommendations. The scholarship awards are among the most prestigious for students, offering $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000 scholarships. To learn more about this competition, check out our complete guide here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Winner to be announced in June
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: US students who are 13 years or older are eligible to apply.
Doodle for Google is an annual art competition open to students across the country, offering them the chance to design a creative Google Doodle. Every year, participants design their doodle based on a specific theme, such as 2024’s prompt: “My wish for the next 25 years.” You can create a submission using any art medium and must include a typed essay explaining the design. The contest is highly competitive, with thousands of entries evaluated first by public votes and then by a panel of Google employees. Awards include a $55,000 college scholarship, a $50,000 technology package for the winner’s school or non-profit of choice, Google hardware, and a 24-hour feature of the winning artwork on Google’s homepage.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free of cost
Program Dates: Varies according to competitions. You can check specific dates here.
Application Deadline: Varies. Check specific deadlines here.
Eligibility: Current middle and high school students are eligible to apply.
The New York Times Student Online Competitions provide creative opportunities for high school students to engage with writing, journalism, and multimedia. From editorials and narrative essays to educational podcasts and photo essays, these contests allow you to express yourself while reflecting on issues that matter to you. Highlights include a Student Conversation Forum on the U.S. Elections, podcast contests, and multimedia competitions. Winners gain recognition by having their work published on The New York Times Learning Network–a platform that can enhance your academic and creative portfolios.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free of cost
Program Dates: September 30 - December 6
Application Deadline: September 13
Eligibility: Current high school students interested in business and finance can participate.
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a global online investment challenge for high school students. Sponsored by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the competition invites teams of 4 to 7 students, guided by a teacher advisor, to strategize and compete using an online stock market simulator. You will gain experience in company and industry analysis, risk assessment, diversification, and investment strategy-building. Global champion team members earn a complimentary spot in Wharton’s online summer programs, “Future of the Business World” or “Essentials of Leadership” (valued at $4,099). Additionally, all finalists receive fee waivers for the Wharton online course “Understanding Your Money” (worth $329).
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free of cost
Program Dates: February 28 - March 3
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge) is a leading international competition for high school juniors and seniors in the U.S. and U.K. This free contest invites students to apply math and data to analyze real-world problems, providing insights or predictions. You will work in teams to develop solution papers judged by an international panel of over 100 mathematicians, with top teams advancing to present their solutions at an all-expenses-paid finals event in New York City. With $100,000 in scholarships awarded annually, the challenge recognizes excellence in problem-solving and innovation. In 2025, the M3 Challenge introduced the “SPARK Awards,” celebrating solutions showcasing Passion, Resourcefulness, and Knowledge, particularly from Title 1 U.S. schools.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Entry fees are $10.00 per individual entry and $30.00 per portfolio entry. These can be fully waived.
Program Dates: Regional Awards announcement: January - March | National Awards announcement: June
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by region and can be as early as December 1. You can check the deadline for your region here.
Eligibility: Teens in grades 7-12 who are at least 13 years old can apply.
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. The competition invites students to showcase their work across 28 categories, including short stories, poetry, painting, film, and animation. Entries are judged at both regional and national levels based on originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal vision or voice. The competition features a tiered awards system, starting with “Gold Keys” at the regional level, which qualifies for the national competition. National awards include Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, alongside special prizes and scholarships of up to $12,500.
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.
Image Source - NASA Logo