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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.
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
Applications are invited for the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival Short Fiction Story Contest 2025. The BCLF Short Fiction Story Contest is an annual writing competition geared towards unearthing and encouraging the distinctive voice and story of the Caribbean-descended writer and expanding the creative writing landscape of Caribbean literature.
Date Posted: 20 May, 2025
Applications are invited for the STREETS Global Awards 2025. The STREETS Global Awards celebrate outstanding early-stage social enterprises and initiatives driving positive social impact through hospitality and tourism.
Date Posted: 20 May, 2025
Applications are invited for the Caribbean Creative Tourism Awards 2025. The Creative Tourism Network, in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, is proud to launch the Caribbean Creative Tourism Awards, an initiative that celebrates the dynamic fusion of culture, creativity, and sustainable development across the Caribbean.
Date Posted: 20 May, 2025
The Fraser Institute hosts an annual Student Essay Contest to promote student participation in economic discourse on current events and public policy. This contest affords winning students the opportunity to have their work peer-reviewed and published early on in their academic career. In addition, they offer exciting cash prizes for the top five winning submissions.
Date Posted: 20 May, 2025
The Joe Ushie Poetry Prize is a literary award established to honor the legacy of Professor Joseph Akawu Ushie - a distinguished poet, literary scholar and seasoned educator in the Department of English, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
Date Posted: 20 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Norton Writer's Prize 2025. This opportunity is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia;
Date Posted: 19 May, 2025
Is your news organization making a real difference in your local community through collaboration with young people? Now's your chance to gain global recognition! Apply now for the Global Youth and News Media Journalism Award 2025.
Date Posted: 19 May, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 WIPO National Intellectual Property Essay Competition. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 19 May, 2025
Applications are now open for the Al x City Climate Action Hackathon 2025. Cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis-and you can help them lead the way. The Al x city climate action hackathon 2025 invites innovators, students, researchers, and technologists to co-create solutions that empower cities to reduce emissions, expand energy access, and build resilience.
Date Posted: 19 May, 2025
Nominations are open for the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and nominate an individual for it.
Date Posted: 19 May, 2025
Applications are open for the International Computer Science Competition 2025. The ICSC is a global educational program that empowers students to challenge their logical thinking, deepen their computer science knowledge, jumpstarting their journey into the world of technology.
Date Posted: 17 May, 2025
Afreximbank, through its Creative Africa Nexus programme (CANEX) is excited to announce the 3rd edition of CANEX Shorts. This short film competition for young filmmakers in Africa and the Diaspora. CANEX Shorts has been established in order to further engage with the film community ahead of CANEX at IATF2025.
Date Posted: 17 May, 2025
Are you passionate about photography? Do you have a story to tell through your lens? Whether you're a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic amateur, this is your moment to shine on the global stage! Apply for the International Photography Contest "Educating the Eye" 2025.
Date Posted: 16 May, 2025
The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is pleased to launch the second edition of the Africa Science Journalism Awards (ASJA). These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in health, science, and development reporting across Africa.
Date Posted: 16 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Canada Post Small Business Tales of Triumph Contest 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 15 May, 2025
Applications are now open for the develoPPP Ventures Ideas Competition. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 15 May, 2025
Celebrating its eleventh year, The Global Citizen Waislitz Awards are annual cash prizes totaling $300,000 that recognize the excellence of individuals in their work to end extreme poverty. The grand prize and two additional prizes are $100,000 each, for a total of three prizes. The awards are presented by the Waislitz Foundation and Global Citizen.
Date Posted: 15 May, 2025
Applications are open for the Digital GreenTalents Award 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 15 May, 2025
Applications are open for the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival 2025. PLURAL+ is a youth video festival that encourages and empowers global youth to explore the issues of migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia and to share their creative vision with the world.
Date Posted: 14 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.