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.

Net Zero Challenge (NOC) is a global climate technology innovation competition with the goal of finding solutions to tackle climate change in Vietnam, organized by Touchstone Partners and Temasek Foundation. NOC aims to identify and support early-stage innovations and teams that have the potential to revolutionize the way we address environmental challenges at scale.
Date Posted: 04 Aug, 2025

Applications are open for the IAEA Infographic Design Contest 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 02 Aug, 2025

Nominations are open for the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development 2025-2026. The UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development was created in 2008 to support the improvement of teaching and learning quality toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education, one of UNESCO's priorities. Awarded every two years, the Prize is generously supported by the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences (Hamdan Foundation).
Date Posted: 01 Aug, 2025

The Africa Earth Observation (AEO) Challenge is an annual open innovation challenge aimed at sourcing novel space technologies since 2016.
Date Posted: 01 Aug, 2025

FONTAGRO, together with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (ICA) and partners of the Latin American Bioeconomy Network, announce the "LATAM Impact Agrobioentrepreneurship 2025" contest.
Date Posted: 31 Jul, 2025

To mark International Youth Day, Udaan Youth Club extends a global invitation: write a message of hope, belief, and encouragement to the youth across the world.
Date Posted: 31 Jul, 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 BRICS Young Innovators Prize Competition. The 8th BRICS Young Innovator Prize will be a part of the 10th BRICS Young Scientist Forum (Forum) that will take place on September 15th – 17th, 2025 in Brasilia, Brazil, under the Brazilian presidency in the BRICS group.
Date Posted: 31 Jul, 2025

The STREETS Global Awards celebrate outstanding early-stage social enterprises and initiatives driving positive social impact through hospitality and tourism.
Date Posted: 29 Jul, 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 World Bank Group GovTech Innovation. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 29 Jul, 2025

The Kokuyo Design Award is an international competition for product design that aims to co-create with talented designers and support their activities.
Date Posted: 28 Jul, 2025

The iF Social Impact Prize supports projects that contribute to improving the society. If you work towards achieving one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, your project is eligible.
Date Posted: 28 Jul, 2025

Nominations are open for the BlackNorth Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award 2025. The purpose of the Lifetime Achievement Award is to honour and celebrate the winner's accomplishments in championing the rights and freedoms of Black Canadians or who has significantly impacted many individuals and organizations.
Date Posted: 28 Jul, 2025

Applications are open for the GCA My Adaptation Solution Video Competition 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 25 Jul, 2025

Applications are open for the One Young World Future of Switzerland Pitch Competition 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 25 Jul, 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 In-Country YouthADAPT Challenge. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 24 Jul, 2025

Come and study vocational training in Quebec thanks to Quebec’s Ministry of Education scholarship and tuition exemption competition!
Date Posted: 23 Jul, 2025

Applications for the Nature Canada Photo Contest 2025 are now open. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 22 Jul, 2025

Applications are open for the ACEP Ethanol Stove Innovation Hackathon 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 22 Jul, 2025

Applications for the Defeat the Odds Pitch Competition 2025 are now open. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 21 Jul, 2025

Applications are open for the Quantum and Photonic Startup Pitch Competition 2025. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Date Posted: 21 Jul, 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.