Sponsoring Institution: Breakthrough Initiatives

Type: Science Video Challenge Scholarship

Eligibility: Must be 13-18. Students around the world are eligible. Home-schooled students are eligible as well as students who attend high school/university. Previous winners are not allowed to participate.

Application Deadline: September 15th each year

Highlight: The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a prestigious global science video scholarship that celebrates creativity and communication skills in STEM. Open to students aged 13–18 worldwide, including homeschoolers and university students under 19, this global STEM competition invites participants to submit an original 2-minute video explaining a complex concept in physics, life sciences, or mathematics. Founded in 2015 by Julia and Yuri Milner, with support from Khan Academy and Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, this global STEM competition runs from May to September 15th each year. Winners are typically announced in November, with prize awards distributed in the following academic year. The winner receives a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, while their inspirational teacher is awarded $50,000, and their school receives a $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab designed in partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Applicants of this global STEM competition are encouraged to review the timeline, rules, and FAQs before applying. With its unique judging process, peer review, public voting, and evaluation by Breakthrough Prize laureates, this global STEM competition offers young innovators a chance to gain international recognition and life-changing opportunities.