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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.
The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) is launching the twelfth edition of the Francophonie Prize for Young Researchers. This award is open every two years and covers the following two disciplinary fields: Science and Technology and Humanities and Social Sciences.
Date Posted: 31 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Pursuit Award 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 30 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Save the Children's Global Media Awards 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 30 May, 2025
The Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation is the prestigious global award recognizing the exceptional achievements of conservation scientists.
Date Posted: 29 May, 2025
The .ORG Impact Awards is a global awards program to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations that have a connection to a registered .ORG domain for their contributions, achievements and impact they have made in their communities.
Date Posted: 29 May, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 Orange Summer Challenge. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 29 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Future of Capitalism Competition 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 28 May, 2025
Submit proposals for the UbuntuNet Alliance for Research and Education Networking Women Hackathon 2025. The hackathon seeks to address the gap in innovations supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation, and the gender gap in software development in Africa.
Date Posted: 28 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Heirs Insurance Group Teachers' Insurance Awareness Prize. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and submit your entry.
Date Posted: 28 May, 2025
Applications are ongoing for Heirs Insurance Essay Championship 2025. This opportunity is open to school students between JSS1 – JSS3 across Nigeria.
Date Posted: 28 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Pop Up & Pitch Grant Competition at Durag Festival 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 27 May, 2025
In commemoration of International Youth Day (IYD) 2025, UNDP Kenya invites contributions for a special edition focusing on the transformative role of youth in shaping Kenya’s inclusive and sustainable development. The aim is to document success stories, best practices, lessons learned, and innovative initiatives highlighting youth engagement in governance, climate action, and digital transformation.
Date Posted: 26 May, 2025
Submissions are being accepted for the Global Startup Awards - North America 2025. The Global Startup Awards - North America is a platform dedicated to recognising and celebrating the best and brightest startups, founders, and innovators across Northern America.
Date Posted: 26 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Bridgewater × Global Citizen Forecasting the Future: A Modern Economics Challenge 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 23 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Fashion & Design and Fashion & Culture 2026. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 22 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Narratives Against Poverty in Africa Literary Prize 2025. Spearheaded by executive curator Mbizo Chirasha, this multi-genre competition aims to unearth and celebrate talent from across Africa's 52 nations and its diaspora, focusing on the theme "Narratives Against Poverty in Africa.'
Date Posted: 22 May, 2025
The Al for Early Warnings for All Innovation Challenge: Bridging gaps with Al solutions is a global hackathon designed to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (Al) to address critical gaps in early warning systems (EWS) for disasters and extreme weather events.
Date Posted: 21 May, 2025
Applications are open for the SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest 2025. SPIE is inviting you to come help showcase the transformative and awe-inspiring impact of light on our lives, communities, and planet by submitting your eye-catching images.
Date Posted: 21 May, 2025
Applications are invited for the SA Tech Challenge 2025. This challenge is open to formal Micro, Small and Medium (MSME) technology enterprises from South Africa.
Date Posted: 21 May, 2025
With the belief that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, the Startup Canada Equal Slice Program offers pitch competitions, educational support, and tailored business tools to help entrepreneurs grow and scale their ventures.
Date Posted: 21 May, 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.