20 Best STEM Competitions for US High School Students (2026): Ranked by Admissions Value

TL;DR: This list covers the 20 best STEM competitions for US high school students in 2026, ranked by admissions value, tangible output, and selectivity. It includes free and paid options across science, engineering, math, and computing. If your goal is a published research paper rather than a competition trophy, RISE Research belongs at the top of your shortlist. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable before your application deadlines.

Why STEM Competitions Matter for College Admissions in 2026

The 20 best STEM competitions for US high school students in 2026 represent one of the most powerful categories of extracurricular activity available. But not all STEM competitions carry equal weight with admissions officers at selective universities. A club membership and a national science award both appear in the Common App Activities section. They do not read the same way.

The challenge is not finding a competition to enter. There are hundreds. The challenge is identifying which ones produce something an admissions officer at MIT, Stanford, or Harvard will actually notice: a tangible, externally validated output that signals genuine intellectual initiative. This list was built on that criterion. Every entry was verified as active in the 2025-2026 cycle, ranked by admissions value, and assessed for what students actually produce at the end.

How We Ranked These STEM Competitions

Each competition and activity on this list was evaluated against four criteria:

1. Admissions value at selective universities: How do admissions officers at Ivy League, MIT, and comparable institutions view this competition or activity? Where possible, this is sourced to admissions guidance data or officer commentary.

2. Tangible output: Does the student produce something externally validated, such as a published paper, a scored project, or a nationally ranked placement? Participation alone scores lower.

3. Selectivity: Does winning or placing signal something meaningful? Open competitions with thousands of winners carry less signal than highly selective ones.

4. Time commitment relative to output value: A competition requiring 200 hours that produces a nationally recognised result ranks higher than one requiring the same time for a certificate.

For students who want to explore research competitions by subject area, see our guides on best engineering competitions for high school students and best economics competitions for high school students.

The 20 Best STEM Competitions for US High School Students in 2026

1. Regeneron Science Talent Search

Society for Science | Grades 11-12 | Up to $250,000 scholarship | Deadline: November 2025

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is widely considered the most prestigious pre-college science competition in the United States. Students submit an original research report and application. Finalists travel to Washington, D.C. for judging. Roughly 1,800 students enter annually; 40 become finalists. A Regeneron STS finalist placement is one of the most recognised signals in selective admissions.

Admissions value: High
Why: Admissions officers at MIT and Caltech specifically cite Regeneron STS as a top-tier indicator of research ability.
Output: Original research report, finalist designation
Official website

2. RISE Research

RISE Global Education | Online, 1-on-1 | Paid (check official website for current pricing) | Rolling admissions, Summer 2026 cohort open now

RISE Research is a selective 1-on-1 mentorship program where high school students in Grades 9-12 conduct original, university-level research under PhD mentors from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions. The program runs for 10 weeks, producing a peer-reviewed paper submitted to one of 40+ indexed academic journals. The publication rate is 90%, which is the only verified figure of its kind among programs on this list. RISE scholars have achieved an 18% acceptance rate to Stanford (versus 8.7% for the general applicant pool) and a 32% acceptance rate to UPenn (versus 3.8%). The mentor network includes 500+ researchers published across 40+ academic journals. RISE is selective and paid, but it is the only option on this list where the output is a peer-reviewed paper in an independent journal rather than a programme certificate, project portfolio, or competition placement. For a full view of what RISE scholars produce, see the RISE publications page and admissions results.

Why it beats a programme certificate: A RISE paper is reviewed and accepted by an independent academic journal with no connection to RISE. That external validation is what admissions officers at MIT, Stanford, and Harvard are looking for when they talk about genuine intellectual initiative.

Admissions value: High
Why: A peer-reviewed publication in an indexed journal is categorically different from a competition entry or programme certificate. It demonstrates sustained original thinking evaluated by independent experts.
Output: Peer-reviewed published paper in an indexed academic journal
Best for: Students whose primary goal is a published paper before their college application deadlines.
Official website

3. Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

Society for Science | Grades 9-12 | Up to $75,000 in prizes | Deadline: Qualify through local/regional fair, typically January-March 2026

ISEF is the world's largest pre-college science fair, with over 1,700 finalists from 49 countries. Students must qualify through a local or regional affiliate fair before competing at the international level. Projects span all STEM disciplines. A top placement at ISEF is a globally recognised achievement that carries strong admissions weight at research-focused universities.

Admissions value: High
Why: International scope and independent judging make ISEF placements credible signals of research ability.
Output: Research project, scored presentation, potential award placement
Official website

4. MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science)

MIT | Online and in-person | Free | Application deadline: December 2025

MIT PRIMES pairs high school students with MIT researchers for year-long research projects in math and computer science. Admission is extremely competitive; most applicants are not accepted. Students who complete the program often produce papers submitted to peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings. This is one of the few free programs on this list with a genuine publication pathway.

Admissions value: High
Why: MIT affiliation and year-long mentorship with active researchers signal sustained academic commitment.
Output: Research paper, potential journal or conference submission
Official website

5. Davidson Fellows Scholarship

Davidson Institute | Grades up to 12, under 18 | $10,000-$50,000 scholarship | Deadline: February 2026

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship recognises students who have completed a significant piece of work in science, technology, engineering, math, literature, music, or philosophy. Projects must be original and substantial. Fewer than 20 fellowships are awarded annually, making this one of the most selective recognitions available to US high school students.

Admissions value: High
Why: Extremely low selection rate and substantial prize value signal genuine achievement to admissions committees.
Output: Completed original project or paper, fellowship designation
Official website

6. USA Science and Engineering Festival (Broadcom MASTERS)

Society for Science | Grades 6-8 (middle school) | Up to $25,000 | Deadline: June 2026

Broadcom MASTERS is the premier middle school STEM competition in the United States. While it targets Grades 6-8, it is worth including here as a feeder pathway: students who compete at this level and continue into high school STEM programs arrive with a documented track record. If you are in Grade 9 and competed in Broadcom MASTERS, that history strengthens your narrative for higher-level competitions.

Admissions value: Medium (directly; high as a foundation for a continuing research narrative)
Why: Middle school recognition alone does not carry significant weight at selective universities, but it contextualises a student's sustained STEM engagement.
Output: STEM project, scored presentation
Official website

7. American Mathematics Competition (AMC 10/12) and AIME

Mathematical Association of America | Grades 10-12 (AMC 12), Grades 9-10 (AMC 10) | Free | Deadline: November 2025 (AMC 10A/12A), February 2026 (AMC 10B/12B)

The AMC series is the standard pathway for competitive math in the United States, leading from AMC 10/12 to AIME to USAMO. A high AMC score or AIME qualification is a recognised signal of mathematical ability at selective universities. The competition is free to enter through participating schools. For students interested in mathematical modeling competitions, the AMC pathway is foundational.

Admissions value: High (AIME qualification and above); Medium (AMC score alone)
Why: MIT, Caltech, and Harvard specifically look for AMC/AIME performance in math-focused applicants.
Output: Scored exam, qualification for higher rounds
Official website

8. USA Biology Olympiad (USABO)

Center for Excellence in Education | Grades 9-12, US citizens or permanent residents | Free | Open Exam: February 2026

USABO is the national biology competition that selects the US team for the International Biology Olympiad. Students progress through an open exam, semifinal, and national finals. Top finishers represent the United States internationally. For students interested in life sciences, USABO is the most recognised subject-specific competition available. See also our guide on high school biology competitions.

Admissions value: High (national finalist and above); Medium (semifinalist)
Why: International Olympiad team selection is one of the clearest signals of subject mastery available in biology.
Output: Scored exam, potential international team selection
Official website

9. USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)

USACO | Grades 9-12, open internationally | Free | Contests run December 2025 through March 2026

USACO is the primary competitive programming pathway in the United States, with four divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Reaching Platinum or qualifying for the US team is a strong signal for computer science applicants at MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Stanford. Contests are fully online and free. Progress through divisions is self-paced based on contest performance.

Admissions value: High (Gold and Platinum); Medium (Silver)
Why: CS-focused admissions officers at MIT and CMU specifically reference USACO Platinum as a meaningful indicator.
Output: Division ranking, potential US team selection
Official website

10. Siemens Competition (Discontinued)

Note: The Siemens Competition was discontinued in 2017. Any list referencing it as a current competition is outdated. Do not apply to this competition. It no longer exists.

10. Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS)

US Army, Navy, Air Force | Grades 9-12, US students | Scholarship up to $12,000 | Regional deadlines: November-January 2025-2026

JSHS is a federally sponsored research competition where students present original research in STEM fields. Regional symposia lead to a national competition. The program is free to enter and offers scholarships to top presenters. JSHS is one of the few competitions with direct federal sponsorship, which adds credibility to finalist and winner designations.

Admissions value: Medium to High (national finalist)
Why: Federal sponsorship and original research requirement distinguish JSHS from project-based fairs.
Output: Original research paper, oral presentation, potential scholarship
Official website

11. Regeneron ISEF Affiliated Fairs

Society for Science | Grades 9-12 | Varies by region | Deadlines: January-March 2026

Before reaching ISEF, students must qualify through a local or regional affiliated fair. Competing and placing at an affiliated fair is itself a recognised achievement. Many students who never reach ISEF still list regional science fair placements as meaningful extracurriculars. Check the Society for Science affiliate directory for your nearest qualifying fair.

Admissions value: Medium
Why: Regional placement demonstrates initiative but lacks the selectivity signal of national or international recognition.
Output: Research project, scored presentation, potential ISEF qualification
Official website

12. Physics Olympiad (F=ma and USAPhO)

American Association of Physics Teachers | Grades 9-12, US students | Free | F=ma exam: January 2026

The US Physics Olympiad pathway begins with the F=ma exam and progresses to the USAPhO semifinal and team selection. A USAPhO semifinalist or team member designation is a strong signal for physics and engineering applicants at selective universities. The competition is free and administered through participating schools.

Admissions value: High (semifinalist and above); Medium (F=ma qualifier)
Why: Olympiad pathways are internationally recognised and signal subject mastery beyond classroom performance.
Output: Scored exam, potential team selection
Official website

13. Google Science Fair

Google | Grades 13-18 (age), international | Recognition and prizes | Deadline: Check official website for 2026 cycle

The Google Science Fair is an international online science competition open to students aged 13-18. Students submit original projects in any STEM field. Regional and global winners receive recognition, mentorship, and prizes. The competition has strong brand recognition but a large applicant pool, which reduces the selectivity signal compared to Regeneron STS or ISEF.

Admissions value: Medium
Why: Global finalist status carries weight; regional recognition alone has limited differentiation at highly selective schools.
Output: Project submission, potential finalist designation
Official website

14. Conrad Challenge

Conrad Foundation | Grades 9-12, international | $10,000+ in prizes | Deadline: November 2025

The Conrad Challenge is a multi-phase innovation and entrepreneurship competition where student teams develop solutions to real-world problems in categories including energy, environment, health, and aerospace. Teams produce a business plan, prototype, and pitch. The competition is open internationally and free to enter.

Admissions value: Medium
Why: Innovation competitions signal entrepreneurial thinking but are viewed differently from research competitions at STEM-focused universities.
Output: Business plan, prototype, pitch presentation
Official website

15. MIT THINK Scholars Program

MIT students | Grades 9-12, US students | Up to $1,000 in project funding | Deadline: December 2025

MIT THINK is a student-run program that funds and mentors high school students with original science and technology projects. Finalists receive mentorship from MIT students and faculty and up to $1,000 in project funding. The program is free to apply and open to US students in Grades 9-12.

Admissions value: Medium
Why: MIT affiliation and project funding add credibility, but the program is student-run rather than faculty-led.
Output: Original project, potential MIT mentorship and funding
Official website

16. Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad | Grades 9-12, US teams | Free (registration fees apply) | Invitational and regional tournaments: January-March 2026, Nationals: May 2026

Science Olympiad is a team-based competition covering 23 events across biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and engineering. National tournament placement is a recognised achievement. The competition develops breadth of STEM knowledge and teamwork rather than deep original research. It is widely available through US high schools.

Admissions value: Medium
Why: National placement signals STEM breadth and team leadership; it does not signal original research ability the way Regeneron STS or a published paper does.
Output: Team competition results, potential national placement
Official website

17. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

FIRST | Grades 9-12, international | Free to participate (team registration costs apply) | Build season: January 2026, Regional events: March-April 2026

FIRST Robotics is the premier high school robotics competition, with thousands of teams worldwide. Students design, build, and program robots to compete in a game that changes each year. FRC develops engineering, programming, and project management skills. Dean's List and Chairman's Award designations carry the most admissions weight within the competition.

Admissions value: Medium
Why: FRC is widely recognised but very common among engineering applicants; leadership roles and individual awards differentiate candidates.
Output: Functional robot, competition results, potential individual awards
Official website

18. American Chemical Society (ACS) Chemistry Olympiad

American Chemical Society | Grades 9-12, US students | Free | Local section exam: March 2026

The ACS Chemistry Olympiad selects the US team for the International Chemistry Olympiad through a three-stage process: local section exam, national exam, and study camp. National finalist and team member status is a strong signal for chemistry and biochemistry applicants. The competition is free and administered through local ACS sections.

Admissions value: High (national finalist and above); Medium (local section qualifier)
Why: International Olympiad team selection is a clear, internationally recognised signal of chemistry mastery.
Output: Scored exam, potential international team selection
Official website

19. Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam

Lemelson-MIT Program | Grades 9-12, US teams | Up to $10,000 in funding | Application deadline: November 2025

InvenTeam grants high school teams up to $10,000 to invent a technology solution to a real-world problem. Teams present their inventions at EurekaFest at MIT. The program emphasises invention and engineering design rather than scientific research. It is selective and free to apply.

Admissions value: Medium
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