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Contests are competitive events for individuals to showcase their talents, ideas, and projects for a chance to win prizes, recognition, and funding. These opportunities are open to a wide range of participants, from high school students to seasoned professionals, and even entrepreneurs who are eager to challenge themselves and gain visibility for their work.
Find a curated list of updated contests and competitions from around the world here.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Tokyo Global Innovation Challenge (TGIC) 2025. Candidates who wish to apply and learn more about this opportunity are encouraged to click here.
Date Posted: 08 Nov, 2025
The 2026 Michael Elliot Award for Excellence in African Storytelling is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 04 Nov, 2025
The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers 2026 is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 04 Nov, 2025
The One Teen Story Teen Writing Contest 2025 is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 03 Nov, 2025
Applications are now being accepted for the 19th SEARCA Photo Contest in 2025. It is recommended that candidates click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 27 Oct, 2025
The Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest 2025 is now accepting entries. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 27 Oct, 2025
Applications for the Global Youth Challenge 2026 are being accepted at this time. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 27 Oct, 2025
The Snowflake Startup Challenge 2026 is presently accepting applications until the deadline. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 24 Oct, 2025
The Science without Borders Challenge International Art Competition 2026, organized by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 24 Oct, 2025
The Illustrations Program 2026 of the Intercontinental Bienal is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 24 Oct, 2025
The Common Ground Award 2026 from the UK Government is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 22 Oct, 2025
Applications for the 2025 FAO Mountain Future Award are being accepted right now. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 22 Oct, 2025
The Bennington College Young Writers Award 2025–2026 is now accepting applications. Candidates are urged to visit here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 22 Oct, 2025
The 13th Continental Essay Competition 2025/2026, organized by the Africa Organization for Standardization (ARSO), is now accepting applications. It is recommended that candidates click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 21 Oct, 2025
The Trust for Sustainable Living (TSL) International Student Competition 2026 is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 21 Oct, 2025
The University of Toronto 2026 Desjardins Startup Prize is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 20 Oct, 2025
Applications for the 2025 Africa Human Rights Spoken Word Contest are now being accepted. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 20 Oct, 2025
The Amazon Research Awards-Fall 2025 are now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 18 Oct, 2025
Black Ideas Grant 3.0 2025, also known as the FFBC B.I.G., is now accepting applications. It is recommended that candidates click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 17 Oct, 2025
The D-Prize Global Competition for Entrepreneurs 2025 is now accepting applications. Interested candidates are urged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply.
Date Posted: 16 Oct, 2025
1. Sony World Photography Awards
• Host: World Photography Organisation
• Field: Photography
•Representation: A leading photography competition that recognizes the best in contemporary photography. Categories include professional, open, youth, and student.
• Prizes: Cash prizes, photography equipment, and international exhibitions. The overall winner (Photographer of the Year) receives a $25,000 prize.
2. The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition
• Host: The Royal Commonwealth Society
• Field: Writing and Literature
• Representation: The world's oldest international writing competition for young people, it encourages creativity and critical thinking on global issues relevant to the Commonwealth.
• Prizes: Winners receive a trip to London for a formal awards ceremony, laptops, and participation in international cultural exchange programs.
3. The Global Citizen Prize
• Host: Global Citizen
• Field: Social Impact
• Representation: Recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to ending extreme poverty and addressing major global challenges like inequality, climate change, and public health.
• Prizes: Winners receive financial support to continue their advocacy work, and there are various subcategories with differing prize amounts and recognition.
4. Imagine Cup
• Host: Microsoft
• Field: Technology and Innovation
• Representation: A technology competition where students create
software applications that tackle a wide variety of challenges. The contest encourages innovation and problem-solving using Microsoft's technology stack.
• Prizes: Cash prizes up to $100,000, mentorship opportunities, and a chance to showcase projects at global tech conferences.
5. One Young World Essay Competition
• Host: One Young World
• Field: Global Leadership and Advocacy
• Representation: This competition targets young leaders who propose solutions to pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and education reform.
Prizes: Winners receive a fully-funded trip to the annual One Young World Summit, where they meet global leaders and network with fellow changemakers.
6. MIT Solve Global Challenges
• Host: MIT Solve Initiative
• Field: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Representation: Solve offers a platform for innovators to present solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, such as healthcare, education, and economic prosperity.
• Prizes: Over $1 million in funding is available, with winning teams receiving support from MIT, mentorship, and networking opportunities with industry experts.
7. World Robotics Olympiad (WRO)
• Host: World Robot Olympiad Association
• Field: Robotics and STEM
• Representation: WRO is an international robotics competition that engages students in building and programming robots to complete specific tasks.
• Prizes: Trophies, medals, and scholarships for top teams, with opportunities to showcase at global tech events.