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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 National Geographic Society Slingshot Challenge 2025. This is your chance to earn up to USD 10,000 in funding towards an awesome cause. If you're 13-18 years old and passionate about your environment and community, submit a 1-minute video showcasing your innovative solution to a pressing environmental problem. Your ideas have the power to slingshot our planet forward!
Date Posted: 31 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the InsurTech Startup Competition 2025. Contestants will gain access to a prize pool of $200,000 in value, exposure to 10+ early-stage investors and insurance leaders, and have the chance to present in front of 400+ InsurTech influencers live in New York.
Date Posted: 30 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the Unlock Her Future Prize 2025. Join this contest and stand a chance to receive a grant of up to US$100,000,
Date Posted: 30 Jan, 2025
The Rising Star Africa Prize is awarded to early-career research scientists based in Africa who are making an innovative contribution to the physical, mathematical and engineering sciences. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 30 Jan, 2025
Are you committed to advancing gender equality in STEM? Are you devoted to encouraging girls and young women to engage with STEM subjects and pursue careers in science? Apply now for the Inspiring Women in Science Awards 2025.
Date Posted: 30 Jan, 2025
Are you a professional or amateur photographer or simply passionate about camelids? Join the International Year of Camelids (IC) Photo Contest and help spread the word about the importance of these heroes of deserts and highlands! An international professional jury composed of photographers, photo editors, and camelid experts will select an overall winner. The four runners-up will go to a public vote on social media.
Date Posted: 30 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the RestorLife Awards 2025. These awards honor and recognize organizations and businesses that demonstrate exceptional dedication to environmental restoration and safeguarding livelihoods and ecosystems.
Date Posted: 30 Jan, 2025
Are you an organization that supports the circular business model? Are you a non-governmental organization that empowers small businesses and entrepreneurs become sustainable? Are you owning a small business implementing or wanting to scale sustainable innovations? Become a Small Business Champion today!
Date Posted: 29 Jan, 2025
Applications are now open for the Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) Prize for Innovation Competition 4.0. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 29 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the InnocaS.E Case Study Competition 2025. The InnocaS.E Case Study Competition is an amazing opportunity for students to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and creative mindset. Apply now!
Date Posted: 29 Jan, 2025
Nominations are open for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025. This is the leading women's awards program in Canada, elevating women’s important contributions - from economic growth to social change across sectors and industries.
Date Posted: 29 Jan, 2025
Are you ready to step into The Arena? The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary's University is hosting its fifth annual pitch competition, bringing together 64 of Canada's brightest student entrepreneurs for a high-stakes showdown. Apply now!
Date Posted: 28 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the 2025 Equator Initiative and the Equator Prize. The Equator Prize 2025 will honor exceptional Indigenous and community-led initiatives advancing innovative nature-based solutions aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Date Posted: 27 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the 2025 Sharon Begley Science Reporting Award, presented by the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW). This award honors and supports mid-career science journalists who exemplify Sharon Begley’s high standards.
Date Posted: 27 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the Leading Ladies Connect Pitch Competition 2025. The pitch competition aims to provide a platform for aspiring female entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative business ideas on stage in front of investors, corporates, and key players in Business & Innovation.
Date Posted: 27 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the EFFERVESCENCE Start-up Pitch Competition 2025. For its fifth edition, the EFFERVESCENCE Start-up Pitch Competition will fuel the rise of Canadian start-ups whose innovations aim to transform the field of life sciences and health technologies (LSHT). Apply now!
Date Posted: 27 Jan, 2025
Nominations are invited for the Shorenstein Journalism Award 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 27 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the Sigma Awards 2025. The Sigma Awards is a competition to celebrate the best data journalism from around the world. Striding into its fifth year, it's also here to empower, elevate and enlighten the global community of data journalists. Apply now!
Date Posted: 24 Jan, 2025
Applications for the Georgia Tech Entrepreneurial Impact Competition 2025 are now open. The Entrepreneurial Impact Competition provides students with a hands-on opportunity to apply their civil and environmental engineering knowledge outside the classroom by creating innovative concepts to improve the human condition-and potentially win a $5,000 prize. Apply now!
Date Posted: 24 Jan, 2025
Applications are open for the University of Toronto School of Cities Story & Image Competition 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 24 Jan, 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.