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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 open for the Cave Canem Prize 2026. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 28 Apr, 2025
Do you have a fierce idea that can promote national unity and strengthen social cohesion in Nigeria? The 2025 Policy Challenge invites the brightest young minds to propose innovative, practical policy reforms that can help bridge divides and build a stronger, more united nation. Apply now!
Date Posted: 28 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2025. Named in honour of Singapore's founding Prime Minister - who can be said to have developed the country's defining business plan in pitching Singapore into the global spotlight - it was one of the first international business plan competition platforms for the world's best and brightest next-gen innovators to solve global challenges.
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the New Commons Challenge 2025. The New Commons Challenge is an initiative led by Microsoft and the Open Data Policy Lab, in partnership with DirectRelief, the Harvard Institutional Data Initiative, and UNESCO (international observer).
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
The ITET Gem Foundation is committed to empowering Nigerian youth by amplifying their voices and driving change. This year's essay competition invites young Nigerians to propose a transformative policy to unlock youth potential and drive national progress.
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications for the Pulitzer Center Photo Contest 2025 are now open. The Pulitzer Center is thrilled to support AFRISOS African School of Storytelling and the Greenmanjaro Foundation in launching Climate Through Young Eyes, a photography competition designed to showcase the power of youth-led environmental action across Africa.
Date Posted: 26 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists 2025. The Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists was established in 2013. It is a global Prize aimed at rewarding scientists at an early stage of their careers.
Date Posted: 25 Apr, 2025
Nominations are open for the TWAS-Apex Award 2025 in Quantum Science and Technology. The TWAS-Apex Award is one of the most prestigious honours given to scientists from the developing world. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this prestigious award, established to honor exceptional scientific contributions by researchers living and working in developing countries.
Date Posted: 24 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the NextGen Developers Hackathon 2025. The NextGen Developers Hackathon is a bold tech challenge for undergraduates and early-stage developers ready to tackle real-world problems using the power of blockchain, Al, and decentralized innovation.
Date Posted: 24 Apr, 2025
Applications are invited for the GBP Youth Award 2025. The Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) Youth Award seeks to recognize and promote outstanding research in the field of bioenergy conducted by students and early-career researchers. This award focuses on diverse areas including environmental, social and economic sustainability, circular bioeconomy, bioenergy technologies, supply chain logistics, policy development, societal practices and addressing climate change.
Date Posted: 23 Apr, 2025
The Sub-Saharan Africa Digital Democracy Hackathon is part of a global series of regional hackathons celebrated in the framework of the Digital Democracy Initiative. You can now apply for the Digital Democracy Initiative Sub-Saharan Africa Digital Democracy Hackathon 2025.
Date Posted: 23 Apr, 2025
Unleash your astronomy skills and expand your knowledge through diverse problems that explore the universe by entering the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition. This educational science competition is open to students from around the world!
Date Posted: 22 Apr, 2025
The Medical Council of Canada invites nominations for the Dr. M. Ian Bowmer Award for Leadership in Social Accountability 2025. This award recognizes one medical student and one resident who have demonstrated leadership in social accountability within the schools of medicine in Canada.
Date Posted: 22 Apr, 2025
Applications are invited for the WFF Transformative Research Challenge. The WFF Transformative Research Challenge (TRC) is a global competition designed to empower young researchers to develop innovative and impactful solutions to transform agrifood systems
Date Posted: 21 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the OnePlus Photography Contest 2025. OnePlus, a leading smartphone manufacturer, is proud to present the OnePlus Photography Contest 2025, offering photographers of all levels the chance to showcase their skills and win incredible prizes.
Date Posted: 21 Apr, 2025
The Nikkei Asia Award, sponsored by Nikkei Inc., is accepting nominations for its fifth (5th) intake. This award celebrates innovation that originates in Asia. It honors efforts that contribute to transforming Asia and the world while promoting a free and prosperous economic society rooted in Asia’s diverse values and perspectives.
Date Posted: 21 Apr, 2025
Applications for the Global Peace Photo Award 2025 are now open. The Global Peace Photo Award recognizes and promotes photographers from all over the world whose pictures capture human efforts towards a peaceful world and the quest for beauty and goodness in our lives. The award goes to those photographs that best express the idea that our future lies in peaceful coexistence.
Date Posted: 19 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Wiki Loves Africa 2025 Contest. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 19 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the Pierre Castel Prize 2025 for Africans. The Pierre Castel Fund - Acting with Africa and its partners Boissons du Cameroun, Brakina, Bracongo, Brasimba, Castel El Djazaïr, Solibra and Star Madagascar have launched the call for applications for the eighth edition of the Pierre Castel Prize.
Date Posted: 18 Apr, 2025
Applications are open for the BRICS Women's Startups Contest 2025. The BRICS Women's Startups Contest 2025 marks another exciting edition of this prestigious initiative led by the BRICS Women's Business Alliance (BRICS WBA) to empower women entrepreneurs across BRICS nations.
Date Posted: 18 Apr, 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.