The Advantage Testing Foundation Math Prize for Girls is the largest math prize for girls in the world. Each fall at MIT, nearly 300 young female mathematicians compete in the challenging test of mathematical creativity and insight. The goal is to promote gender equity in the STEM professions and to encourage young women with exceptional potential to become mathematical and scientific leaders.
The MATHCOUNTS Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that reaches students in grades 6-8 in all US states and territories with 3 extracurricular math programs. More than a quarter million students participate in their programs or use their resources each year. Mathcounts believes middle school is a critical juncture when a love of math must be encouraged, and a fear of math must be overcome. Their programs build problem solving skills and positive attitudes about math, so students embrace challenges and expand their academic and career opportunities in the future.
Designed to honor the legacy of one of the most original and accomplished poets to debut in recent years—and to reward outstanding poets for years to come—the Max Ritvo Poetry Prize awards $10,000 and publication by Milkweed Editions to the author of a debut collection of poems. Selected by an independent judge, the prizewinning poet will receive a standard royalty contract, simultaneous publication of the collection in cloth and audiobook editions, national distribution, and a comprehensive marketing and publicity campaign.
The Minnesota Academic Excellence Scholarship helps students who have demonstrated outstanding ability, achievement, and potential in one of several subjects: English or creative writing, fine arts, foreign language, math, science, or social science.
MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering and Science) is a free, year-long after-school research program for high school students. Program participants work with MIT researchers on exciting unsolved problems in mathematics, computer science, and computational biology. PRIMES-USA is a distance mentoring math research section for high school juniors from across the United States (outside of Greater Boston). PRIMES Circle is a math enrichment section for high school students from underrepresented groups living within commuting distance from Boston. PRIMES STEP is a math enrichment section for middle school students from Greater Boston.
In 1980, Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) introduced the Mock Trial program, which already had a strong following in Los Angeles County, to all the counties in California. The program was created to help students acquire a working knowledge of the Calfifornia judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of the society. The program currently involves 36 California counties.
Montana’s STEM Scholarship Program is designed to provide an incentive for Montana high school students to prepare for, enter into, and complete degrees in postsecondary fields related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and healthcare. The goal of this program is to increase the number of STEM degree recipients participating in Montana’s workforce.
This national contest is for high school students with a passion for writing songs that could be part of a musical theater production and the wide range of musical styles represented in contemporary musicals. The goal of the program is to engage the musical theater field in nurturing the next generation of songwriters.
During September’s National College Savings Month, my529 and the Utah System of Higher Education sponsor the Make Your Mark bookmark contest. Make Your Mark offers students a chance to win a $1,000 my529 college savings scholarship account through an art contest. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can enter an original bookmark design within their appropriate grade category (K-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12). Eight Utah students will each receive a $1,000 college savings scholarship account for their winning bookmarks.
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a writing event that happens every November where the challenge is to complete an entire novel in just 30 days. Participants begin writing November 1 and finish by November 30. The Young Writers Program supports under-18 writers and K-12 educators as they participate in our flagship event each November, and take part in smaller writing challenges year-round.
Join the Artemis Generation and take on a challenge or help solve a problem. Several challenges include the Human Exploration Rover Challenge, RMC: Lunabotics, Micro-g NExT, Big Idea Challenge, First Nations Launch, Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students, and Student Launch. Each challenge requires a team in order to participate.
Since its inception, NABA, Inc. has provided more than $11 million in scholarship funds to deserving students preparing to enter various accounting, finance and business professions. Through the generous contributions of individuals, groups, and organizations that share NABA’s desire to break through the economic barriers students of color often experience, NABA offers an average of 50 national scholarships annually ranging from $1,000 – $5,000.
The National Economics Challenge (NEC) is the nation’s only high school economics competition. Each year, over 11,000 students across the U.S. participate in the competition. The Challenge recognizes exceptional high school students for their knowledge of economic principles and their ability to apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to real-world events.
The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) offers more than $750,000 in competition and award prizes on the local, state and national level. The Biennial Young Artist and Ellis Duo-Pianists competitions award a total of $92,000 in awards and two years of performance bookings. Additional competitions are sponsored by the Federation in a wide range of categories, including voice, instrumental music, composition, dance, conducting, handicapped and visually impaired, and music therapy. NFMC also sponsors more than 38 annual and biennial awards for students desiring to attend the 20 sponsored Summer Music Centers.
The National Geographic GeoBee is an annual competition designed to inspire and reward students’ curiosity about the world. Registered schools receive a suite of curated study resources to prepare students and 400+ GeoBee questions covering geography, civilizations, cultures, physical features, and more to hold a school GeoBee. Prizes to celebrate participants will also be included. The academic competition is open to students in grades four through eight, in public schools, private schools, and home schools in the United States and its territories, as well as the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS).
The National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year is looking for photos that showcase the awe-inspiring and diverse natural world around us. That could be a powerful wildlife shot, a stunning landscape, or a look at a complicated environmental issue—whatever nature means to you.
