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Olympiads, research programs, competitions and scholarships worth your time — the same database the AI recommends from. Filter by field, format and cost.
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
The most prestigious pre-college math contest. Even a national-round result is a serious signal.
International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
Elite physics olympiad. National-level qualification already reads as exceptional for STEM admits.
International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)
Premier competitive-programming olympiad. Gold-standard evidence of algorithmic ability for CS.
International Biology Olympiad (IBO)
Strong signal for pre-med and life-sciences applicants. Start from your national biology olympiad.
International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)
Theory + lab chemistry at the highest level. National qualification is a major differentiator.
Regeneron ISEF
The world’s largest pre-college science fair. A finalist project is one of the strongest STEM credentials available.
Research Science Institute (RSI)
Free, ultra-selective summer research program at MIT. One of the most respected lines on any STEM application.
European Girls’ Math Olympiad (EGMO)
Premier international math olympiad for girls; national selection mirrors the IMO pipeline.
Int’l Olympiad on Astronomy & Astrophysics
Top astronomy olympiad combining theory, data analysis and observation.
Regeneron Science Talent Search
The oldest and most prestigious US science research competition. Finalist status is exceptional.
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Up to $50k for a genuinely significant piece of work. A top-tier credential for a deep project.
Rise (Schmidt Futures × Rhodes Trust)
A global fellowship for 15–17-year-olds with lifetime benefits. Among the most prestigious programs available.
MIT MITES (Summer)
Free, rigorous MIT STEM program for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds.
PROMYS
Intensive proof-based number theory at Boston University. Beloved by serious young mathematicians.
Ross Mathematics Program
Classic “think deeply about simple things” math immersion — a hallmark for aspiring mathematicians.
USACO (USA Computing Olympiad)
Open to anyone worldwide and fully online. Reaching Gold/Platinum is a concrete, verifiable CS spike.
Pioneer Research Program
Online 1-on-1 research with a university professor, ending in a paper. Open to most fields, including humanities.
International Economics Olympiad (IEO)
Economics, finance and business-case rounds. Ideal spike for prospective economics/business majors.
John Locke Institute Essay Competition
Rigorous open-ended essays judged by Oxford-affiliated academics. Highly regarded for humanities/social-science applicants.
World Schools Debating Championships
Top-tier debate. Even strong national-circuit results demonstrate argument, research and leadership.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Prestigious US leadership scholarship ($20k). Recognition itself is a strong line, beyond the money.
International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL)
Logic puzzles over real languages — no prior linguistics needed. A distinctive spike for CS, languages and cognitive science.
Harvard–MIT Math Tournament (HMMT)
One of the largest and most prestigious student-run math competitions, hosted by Harvard and MIT.
USA Biology Olympiad (USABO)
The US route toward the IBO. Semifinalist/finalist standing is a strong signal for bio and pre-med.
F=ma / USA Physics Olympiad
The F=ma exam feeds USAPhO and the US physics team. Top scores are elite physics credentials.
US National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO)
National chemistry exam and camp selection on the route to the IChO.
iGEM (Synthetic Biology)
Build a real synthetic-biology project as a team and present at the global jamboree. Serious lab/research signal.
Meta Hacker Cup
Global online algorithmic contest run by Meta — open to anyone and fully remote.
Codeforces (rated contests)
The main global platform for competitive programming. A strong rating is concrete, continuous evidence of skill.
Junior Science & Humanities Symposium
Present original research at a regional symposium with scholarships and a path to nationals.
MIT THINK Scholars
Pitch a STEM project you want to build; finalists get funding and MIT mentorship. Great for makers.
National Economics Challenge
The premier US high-school economics competition — strong for prospective econ majors.
The Concord Review
The only journal publishing high-school history research papers — a serious credential for humanities.
YoungArts
The most prestigious US arts recognition for teens; winners join a notable alumni network.
NSDA Speech & Debate Nationals
The flagship US speech and debate circuit; deep results show argument, research and poise.
Stanford University Math Camp (SUMaC)
Deep abstract-math summer program at Stanford — strong for prospective math/CS students.
Summer Science Program (SSP)
Residential research program where teams complete a real scientific project — excellent research signal.
Diamond Challenge
Global high-school entrepreneurship competition. Great for turning a club or side project into a credential.
Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Run by UPenn’s Wharton School. Teams manage a virtual portfolio and pitch a strategy — strong for finance interest.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The most recognised US creative award for teens. A National Medal is meaningful for humanities/arts applicants.
JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
National essay contest with cash prizes. Good for demonstrating writing and civic/political interest.
Launch your own initiative / nonprofit
Not a contest — a self-started project solving a real problem in your community. Measurable impact often beats a generic award.
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
Two-week academic summer program at Yale with strong financial aid. Good for exploring interests and intl exposure.
FIRST Robotics Competition
Teams build a competition robot in six weeks. Tangible engineering + leadership signal, and a feeder for awards and scholarships.
Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Explain a tough science concept in a short video. Accessible worldwide, with a large scholarship and real prestige.
Conrad Challenge
Teams design a product or venture tackling a real-world problem. A good bridge between STEM and entrepreneurship.
DECA / FBLA (business clubs)
Case and role-play business competitions with a clear regional→state→international ladder. Accessible and well-recognised for business majors.
National History Day
Year-long historical research presented as a paper, exhibit, documentary or performance. A strong humanities research credential.
GENIUS Olympiad
Environment-themed projects across science, art, writing and design. A broad entry point for an issue-driven applicant.
AMC 10/12 → AIME
The on-ramp to the US math-olympiad pipeline. Qualifying for AIME is a recognised, verifiable math credential.
International Brain Bee
Neuroscience competition for teens — distinctive for prospective bio/medicine and psychology applicants.
Technovation Girls
Girls build a mobile app to solve a community problem, with mentorship and a global pitch.
DECA
Large business case + role-play competition with a clear path from local to international finals.
Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition
Free, fully online startup pitch competition — low barrier, real prize money and recognition.
New York Times Student Contests
A rotating series of free writing, editorial and multimedia contests with wide recognition.
Congressional Award (Gold Medal)
Congress’s award for young people: log service, personal development and a journey. Self-driven and respected.
LaunchX
Intensive summer program where students launch a real startup. Strong for entrepreneurial spikes.
COSMOS (UC)
University of California STEM summer immersion across many clusters — solid exploratory program.
Model United Nations (e.g. HMUN, THIMUN)
Accessible entry point for leadership and global affairs. Awards at flagship conferences (HMUN) carry weight.
Hackathons (MLH-affiliated)
Build a working project in 24–48 hours, solo or in a team. Low barrier, fully remote, and a great source of portfolio projects.
Math Kangaroo
Accessible global math contest across all grade levels — a good first competitive math experience.
Congressional App Challenge
Build an app and win recognition from your US representative — accessible entry into CS credentials.
FBLA (Future Business Leaders)
Accessible business competition spanning dozens of events — good for demonstrating business interest.
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Creative contest on environmental themes — accessible and good for art/writing portfolios with a cause.