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20 Competitions & Opportunities for High School Students
November 2025 - January 2026 Deadlines
1Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Focus: Creative writing (poetry, fiction, personal essay, humor, journalism, etc.) and visual art
Eligibility: Grades 7-12
Deadline: Regional deadlines vary, typically December-January (check your region)
Prizes: Scholarships up to $10,000, exhibition opportunities, publication, national recognition
artandwriting.org2Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
Focus: Original poetry (any theme/style)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors only
Deadline: November 30, 2025
Prizes: Full scholarship to Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop + publication
kenyonreview.org/contests/patricia-grodd3Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize
Focus: Original poetry
Eligibility: Grades 11-12
Deadline: November 2025
Prizes: $500-$1,500
Princeton University Poetry Contest4Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Focus: Investment strategy development and articulation
Eligibility: High school students (teams welcome)
Deadline: December 2025
Prizes: Recognition from Wharton School
Wharton Global Youth5National Economics Challenge
Focus: Economic theory knowledge
Eligibility: High school students
Deadline: December 2025
Council for Economic Education6One Teen Story Contest
Focus: Original short fiction
Eligibility: High school students
Deadline: December 2025
Prizes: $500 per category + publication
one-story.com7Louise Louis/Emily F. Bourne Student Poetry Award
Focus: Original poetry (teacher nomination required)
Eligibility: High school students
Deadline: December 2025
Prizes: $250 cash award
Poetry Society of America8Congressional App Challenge
Focus: Computer science and coding - create an app
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Deadline: November 1, 2025
Prizes: Recognition from U.S. Congress, exhibition in Capitol, potential internship opportunities
congressionalappchallenge.us9National History Day
Focus: Historical research project (documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, website)
Eligibility: Grades 6-12
Deadline: Regional deadlines typically November-February (varies by state)
Prizes: Scholarships, special awards, national recognition
nhd.org10TEAMS Competition
Focus: Engineering and applied math/science problem-solving
Eligibility: High school students (teams of 4-8)
Deadline: Registration typically November-December
tsaweb.org/teams11Regeneron Science Talent Search
Focus: Independent research projects in STEM fields
Eligibility: High school seniors
Deadline: Mid-January 2026
Prizes: Scholarships up to $250,000, top 40 finalists invited to Washington D.C.
societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts12John Locke Institute Essay Competition
Focus: Academic essays in philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law
Eligibility: High school students (under 19)
Deadline: Late December-January
Prizes: Publication, certificates, potential summer program invitations
johnlockeinstitute.com13Games for Change Student Challenge
Focus: Video game design and development addressing social issues
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Deadline: January 2026
Prizes: Recognition, showcase opportunities, mentorship
learn.gamesforchange.org/student-challenge14NSHSS Foundation Nobel Academic Scholarships
Focus: Academic achievement and leadership
Eligibility: High school seniors
Deadline: December-January
Prizes: Multiple scholarships ranging from $1,000-$5,000
nshss.org/scholarships15Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Focus: Significant work in STEM, literature, music, philosophy, or outside the box
Eligibility: Students 18 and under
Deadline: Second application window typically January-February
Prizes: $10,000, $25,000, or $50,000 scholarships
davidsongifted.org/fellows-scholarship16NCTE Promising Young Writers Program
Focus: Writing ability across multiple genres
Eligibility: High school juniors (nominated by teachers)
Deadline: January 2026
Prizes: Recognition certificate, publication opportunities
ncte.org/awards/promising-young-writers17Ayn Rand Essay Contests
Focus: Essay analysis of Ayn Rand's novels (Anthem, The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged)
Eligibility: Varies by book (grades 9-12)
Deadline: Anthem: December; Fountainhead & Atlas Shrugged: January
Prizes: Up to $25,000 (Atlas Shrugged), $10,000 (Fountainhead), $2,000 (Anthem)
aynrand.org/students/essay-contests18Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Focus: Essays about political courage inspired by JFK's book
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Deadline: Mid-January 2026
Prizes: $10,000 first place, trip to JFK Library, meeting with Kennedy family member
jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest19NFAA YoungArts
Focus: Emerging artists in visual, literary, design, and performing arts
Eligibility: High school seniors or 15-18 year olds
Deadline: Summer 2026
Prizes: Cash awards up to $10,000, performance opportunities, master classes
youngarts.org20NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing
Focus: Women and gender-expansive students in computing and technology
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12)
Deadline: Typically early January
Prizes: Cash awards, college scholarships, internship opportunities, recognition
aspirations.org