10 Great Biology Competitions for High School Students
If you are dreaming of majoring in Biology, you’ll have your work cut out for you because it is one of the most popular majors in college. One way to enhance your skills and strengthen your academic profile is by participating in research programs. Another excellent way to challenge yourself and see how you compare against high-caliber peers is to participate in competitions!
In this blog, we'll explore 12 of the best biology competitions available to high school students. These include research proposal contests, essay competitions, and prestigious Olympiads. These competitions not only provide a platform to showcase your knowledge and skills but also offer a chance to gain recognition and potentially earn scholarships and other accolades.
1. International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
The Regeneron ISEF, organized by the Society of Science, stands as the largest pre-college STEM competition globally, drawing thousands of student entries each year. To participate, students must first qualify through local or regional fairs, from which they may be selected for the highly competitive ISEF program, boasting an acceptance rate of only 2-5%.
Participants present original research conducted within the past 12 months, with newer projects often having a competitive edge. For those focusing on biology, research can be presented in various subcategories, such as cellular and molecular biology, animal sciences, computational biology, bioinformatics, and microbiology.
Being selected to present at ISEF is a prestigious opportunity that allows students to network with other passionate young scientists, offering a significant boost to their academic and professional trajectories.
Tip: For more details on ISEF, check out our comprehensive guide!
Dates: Local and regional events take place throughout the year but usually conclude by April.
Application Deadline: Varies from state to state
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California
Prizes: Special Awards such as tuition scholarships, summer internships, and scientific trips, as well as cash prizes of up to $75,000
Eligibility: All high-school students with a strong passion for research in science, math, and engineering are encouraged to apply
If you have a passion for Biology and are considering studying it in college, the USA Biolympiad (USABO) is a must-try competition. This prestigious and highly competitive olympiad sees over 10,000 participants annually, challenging them through a series of activities and quizzes (you can find a comprehensive list of topics here). To participate, you need to clear the first two rounds, which consist of timed online exams.
Following these rounds, the top 20 finalists are selected for an intensive residential training program at Marymount University, focusing on advanced biological concepts and lab skills. Additionally, four finalists are chosen to represent the USA at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) in the UAE, competing against teams from over 20 countries.
Dates:
February 6, 2025 - Online Open Exam (OE)
April 4, 2025 - Semifinal Exam
May 25 - June 8, 2025 - National Finals
July 7 - 14, 2025 - International Biology Olympiad (Astana, Kazakhstan)
Application Deadline: November 8, 2024
Location: Virtual
Prizes: Medals, awards
Eligibility: All high school students who are US citizens can sign up for the USABO
Tip: Check out a compiled set of biology and STEM resources by the Centre for Excellence in Education here!
3. The Plant the Moon Challenge
Have you ever thought about what astronauts might grow on the Moon to sustain themselves? The Plant the Moon Challenge is a unique competition for biology enthusiasts, judged by a panel of NASA scientists.
Participants in this competition receive a supply of lunar soil simulant and must use their biology and astronomy knowledge to cultivate plants over ten weeks. After the ten weeks, you will present your research and methodology to the judging panel in the end-of-competition symposium!
Note: In addition to high school students, you will compete with undergraduates and graduate students, providing a valuable learning experience. Check out these winning entries from the 2022 edition!
Dates: September 22 - December 22, 2024
Application Deadline: September 15, 2024
Location: Virtual
Prizes: Best in Show Awards
Eligibility: Open to all high-school students, including international students.
4. American Academy of Neurology’s Neuroscience Research Prize
The Neuroscience Research Prize offers a unique platform for students demonstrating scientific aptitude and research skills in neuroscience. If you're a high school student interested in or already conducting neuroscience research, this competition invites you to submit your research reports.
In addition to your research reports, you must include a 300-word abstract summarizing your work. Your entry will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of scientists and physicians. This competition is an excellent opportunity to explore the complexities of the brain and nervous system, with the potential to receive support for further research in the field.
Dates: April 13 - 18, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Submission Deadline: November 2, 2024 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Location: Virtual
Prizes: Winner will receive a $1,000 honorarium, a certificate of recognition, and the opportunity to present their work during a scientific poster session at the 2024 Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting
Eligibility: All high-school students based in the US can apply
The National Science Bowl, organized by the U.S. Department of Energy since 1991, is a prestigious and highly competitive competition designed to motivate students to excel in math and science. Over 1,000 students participate each year, testing their knowledge in chemistry, energy, Earth science, physics, biology, and math.
Participation begins at the regional level, where teams of 4-5 students compete. A team must win their regional competition to advance to the National Finals in Washington, D.C.. You can find information on regional rounds and how to participate here.
If you are interested, you can look at our blog, which covers this competition in detail!
Dates: April 25 - 29, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Application Deadline: Registrations close 3 weeks prior to the date of the regional event, usually in March.
Location: Varies from state to state; finals are held in Washington, D.C.
Prizes: Cash prizes, scholarships
Eligibility: All high school students can participate
The BioGENEius Challenge, encompassing three main categories—Healthcare, Sustainability, and Environment—invites students to present their biotech research. The program annually attracts thousands of entries, with the top 5% of applicants earning an invitation to present their work at the prestigious BIO International Convention.
Depending on your location, you can apply either directly to a virtual edition of the competition or through various local and regional events. Here are examples of research projects for each category:
Global Healthcare Challenge: Utilizing algae to produce a chemical reactant essential for synthesizing a complex antibiotic.
Global Sustainability Challenge: Employing nutritional lipid-modified algae to decrease fishmeal requirements in aquaculture.
Global Environment Challenge: Developing lipid-optimized algae as an alternative energy source for lightweight hydrocarbon fuels.
We’ve covered this competition in detail which you can check out over here!
Dates: Vary from state to state.
Application Deadline: Vary from state to state, but registrations close by late March.
Location: Local competitions are hosted in California (Bay Area & Southern), Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Note. For international participants, the challenge is virtual, and the top finalist is invited to the BIO symposium in Boston.
Prizes: Cash prizes, awards
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply, including international students
7. The National Ocean Sciences Bowl
The National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) is an annual competition designed for high school students, focusing on their understanding of ocean sciences and marine biology and problem-solving skills related to real-world ocean issues.
To participate, you need to form a team of at least four students and compete in local challenges to advance to the national competition, which takes place every spring. You can expect questions covering various topics such as ocean biology, physics, geology, chemistry, and current events.
Note. High school participants in the NOSB can apply for the National Ocean Scholar Program, which awards scholarships to outstanding students to support their college education as freshmen!
Dates: NOSB dates vary from state to state, usually held around February-March
Application Deadline: Varies from state to state, usually closes in mid-November
Location: Varies state-wise
Prizes: Cash prizes
Eligibility: All high school students can participate
8. The Genes in Space Challenge
Genes in Space is an exhilarating, hands-on challenge aimed at young scientists, promoting innovation in space exploration. Using the GIS Toolkit—which includes advanced tools like the Fluorescence Viewer, PCR thermal cycler, and BioBits cell-free system—you are tasked with designing an experiment to address a problem related to space exploration.
You can delve into questions such as "How does a deep space mission impact our DNA?", "Can we detect new life forms?" or "Can living organisms assist in colonizing new worlds?" The winners of the Genes in Space challenge will see their experiment conducted aboard the International Space Station as part of the Genes in Space-3 mission!
Dates: July 29 - August 1, 2024. You can find the complete timeline here.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2024
Location: 2024 finalists will present their ideas to contest judges at the ISS Research & Development Conference, which will be held July 29 - August 1, 2024, in Boston, MA. The rest of the competition is virtual.
Prizes: Awards, P51 Fluorescence Biotech Kit
Eligibility: School students in Grades 7-12 can apply (only applicable for US citizens)
9. Regeneron Science Talent Search
If you have conducted independent scientific research and seek a platform to hone your research, presentation, and analytical skills, consider applying for the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), where you’ll be able to present your original research.
Each year, the STS receives nearly 1,900 applications and selects around 40 finalists to present their work publicly in Washington, D.C. The Regeneron STS only accepts independent research projects, meaning students must have conducted their scientific investigations independently and have results to report.
If you want to learn more about this competition, you can view this blog here!
Dates: March 6 -11, 2025
Application Deadline: November 7, 2024
Location: Virtual
Prizes: Cash prizes of up to $250,000; all finalists are awarded a trip to Washington D.C. and are taken on scientific field trips, mentorship sessions, and more.
Eligibility: All high school seniors based in the US can apply
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, hosts the prestigious annual iGEM Competition. This global event is a prime opportunity for young innovators eager to apply synthetic biology principles to address real-world issues.
In this competition, you and your team (comprising 8-15 members) will design, build, test, and measure an original system using interchangeable biological parts and standard molecular biology techniques.
A distinctive feature of the iGEM Competition is its encouragement of multidisciplinary teams. This approach fosters more robust and comprehensive design techniques by integrating diverse fields such as law, marine biology, mathematics, and social sciences. The top projects are invited to present their work at the annual iGEM Grand Jamboree, where they showcase their innovations to the global synthetic biology community.
Dates: October 23 - 26, 2024 (Paris Convention Center)
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
Location: Virtual, Jamboree venue to be announced
Prizes: Medals and Special Prizes
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - ISEF Logo