Research programs in INTL.
134 local programs run in INTL, 98 of them free or paid, and 27 explicitly prioritize under-resourced or first-generation students. Plus 197 nationwide programs open to anyone in the US.
Local to INTL
- Highly SelectiveAgency for Science, Technology and ResearchA*STAR Scientific Research Programme
Government research placements for pre-university students in Singapore.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveAdobeAdobe Design Achievement Awards (Semi-Pro)
International student creative awards across graphic design, film, animation, and social impact.
📅 June🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateALAAfrican Leadership Academy Summer
Two-week entrepreneurial leadership summer program for youth from around the world.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 9–11 - SelectiveIROSTAl-Khwarizmi International Award (Youth)
International recognition for young researchers in science and tech innovation.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveJapan Cartoonists AssociationAll-Japan Manga Competition (Youth)
Youth-open division of the Japan Cartoonists Association's annual manga award.
📅 Autumn🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmgen FoundationAmgen Scholars — Europe & Asia
Fully funded summer research at host institutions across Europe and Asia for undergraduates in the sciences.
📅 January🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveAustralian National UniversityANU Extension
University-level courses for high-achieving high school students in Canberra.
⏱ 1 year📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveAshokaAshoka Young Changemakers
Global community of young people (10–20) already leading social innovation projects; selected changemakers receive mentorship, storytelling support, and network access.
⏱ Ongoing fellowship📅 Rolling · by country🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAPhOAsian Physics Olympiad
Asia-Pacific regional physics olympiad; selection through each country's national physics olympiad.
📅 Varies by country🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveBBCBBC Young Musician
UK-wide music competition for musicians up to age 18; broadcast internationally.
📅 Autumn🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveCERNBeamline for Schools
CERN physics competition where student teams worldwide propose and run an experiment at a real particle accelerator.
📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveBreakthrough Prize FoundationBreakthrough Junior Challenge
Create a short video explaining a big idea in science or math. Global competition for ages 13–18 with a $250K college scholarship.
📅 June🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveUniversity of OxfordBritish Physics Olympiad
A tiered set of national physics competitions (Junior, Senior, Round 1/2) open to UK secondary students, with international variants schools worldwide can register for.
⏱ Exam📅 Nov (senior) · Mar (junior)🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of CambridgeCambridge Chemistry Challenge
Global chemistry problem-solving competition for Y12 / 11th-grade students; open worldwide.
📅 Late June🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveUniversity of Waterloo (CEMC)Canadian Computing Competition (CCC)
Free competitive programming contest run by Waterloo's CEMC; open worldwide and used as a qualifier for the Canadian Computing Olympiad.
⏱ 3 hours📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveEuropean Space AgencyCanSat Competition (ESA)
Build a satellite the size of a soda can. National rounds in ESA member states; European final each spring.
📅 National rounds fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of Waterloo (CEMC)CEMC Math Contests
Suite of free math contests (Pascal, Cayley, Fermat, Euclid, CSMC) written by Waterloo; open internationally through registered schools.
⏱ 60–150 min📅 School registration by contest🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCERNCERN Summer Student Programme
Paid 8–13 week summer programme at CERN for undergrads worldwide in physics, engineering, or computing.
📅 January🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveCommonwealth FoundationCommonwealth Short Story Prize
Global short-fiction prize open to writers from Commonwealth countries.
📅 November🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveConrad FoundationConrad Challenge
International innovation and entrepreneurship competition addressing global grand challenges.
📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveDAADDAAD RISE Germany
Summer research internships in Germany for undergraduates from North America, UK, and Ireland; monthly stipend + travel.
📅 December🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveDavis United World College ScholarsDavis Projects for Peace
$10,000 grants for undergraduates worldwide to design and implement grassroots peace projects.
📅 January🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveDebate MateDebate Mate
After-school debate mentoring by university student coaches, delivered to state schools across the UK and now internationally; free for participating schools.
⏱ School-year program📅 School enrolment: fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveETH ZurichETH Zurich Studienwoche
One-week research study weeks at ETH Zurich in math, physics, and CS.
📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveEUCYSEuropean Union Contest for Young Scientists
Annual EU-hosted contest showcasing top research projects from young scientists across dozens of countries.
📅 National selection Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateF1 in SchoolsF1 in Schools World Finals
International STEM competition where student teams design, build, and race miniature CO2-powered cars.
📅 National rounds vary🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateFundação Getulio VargasFGV International Summer Program
Business, economics, and public policy courses at one of Brazil's leading institutions.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 May🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveFIRST GlobalFIRST Global Challenge
Annual olympics-style robotics event with one team per country tackling a global grand-challenge theme (energy, oceans, food).
⏱ 1 week (fall)📅 Team applications open winter🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectivePoetry Society (UK)Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award
International poetry prize for writers aged 11–17.
📅 July🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveGates Cambridge TrustGates Cambridge Scholarship
Fully funded postgraduate scholarship at the University of Cambridge.
⏱ 1-4 years📅 December🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateUN FoundationGirl Up Leadership Summit
Annual leadership summit in Washington, DC for girls, women, and non-binary students worldwide, with workshops on advocacy, policy, and organizing.
⏱ 3 days (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateEnvisionGlobal Young Leaders Conference
International youth leadership and diplomacy simulation in Washington DC and New York.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNational Research Foundation SingaporeGlobal Young Scientists Summit
Multidisciplinary summit where young scientists — including a small cohort of high-school participants — engage with Nobel laureates and Turing / Fields medalists.
⏱ 5 days (January)📅 September🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveThe Climate Reality ProjectGlobal Youth Climate Network
International youth climate leadership and action network.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNFTEGlobal Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
International youth pitch competition and entrepreneurship curriculum.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveSociety for ScienceGoogle Science Fair (Alumni Network + Regional Fairs)
Regional science fairs affiliated with ISEF that welcome international student researchers.
📅 Varies by fair🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveGoogleGoogle Summer of Code — Contributor
Paid open-source contribution program. Now open to any newcomer to open source 18+, worldwide.
📅 March🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateHarvard International Relations CouncilHarvard Model United Nations International
Harvard's international MUN conferences (India, China, Latin America, Europe) for high schoolers.
📅 Varies by conference🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of CambridgeHE+ Cambridge
Free supracurricular resources, subject taster videos, and reading lists from Cambridge academics — designed to stretch Year 12/13 students preparing for competitive applications.
⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveIndian Institute of ScienceIISc Summer Fellowship
Research fellowship at India's premier science institute in Bengaluru.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 February🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveIIT BombayIIT Bombay Summer Research Fellowship
Competitive summer research placement at IIT Bombay across engineering fields.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 March🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveImmerse EducationImmerse Education — Medicine Cambridge
Residential medicine track for teens at the University of Cambridge.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveImmerse EducationImmerse Education Essay Competition
Free international essay contest; winners receive 100% scholarships to Immerse summer residencies at Cambridge, Oxford, and elsewhere.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveImperial College LondonImperial College Summer Schools
University-level summer courses in AI, data science, business, and engineering.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveIAOInternational Astronomy Olympiad
Team astronomy olympiad with theoretical, practical, and observational rounds.
📅 National selection Fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveIBOInternational Biology Olympiad (IBO)
International team competition for the four highest-scoring biology students from each participating country.
⏱ 2-day exam + travel📅 National selection: fall🎓 Grades 10–12 - Highly SelectiveIChOInternational Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)
Annual competition for pre-university chemistry students; national teams are selected through country-level olympiads.
⏱ 2-day exam + travel📅 National selection: fall🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateThe Fryderyk Chopin InstituteInternational Chopin Piano Competition for Young Pianists
One of the world's most prestigious international piano competitions; youth divisions available.
📅 Varies🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveIESOInternational Earth Science Olympiad (IESO)
Team and individual tasks covering geology, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy. National selection required.
📅 National selection spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveIEFTAInternational Emerging Film Talent Association
International youth film mentorship and festival access programs.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveiGeoInternational Geography Olympiad
International geography olympiad with written, multimedia, and fieldwork tests.
📅 National selection Spring🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateIHOInternational History Olympiad
Individual and team international history competition.
📅 National rounds Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveIJSOInternational Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO)
International science competition for students aged 15 and under, combining biology, chemistry, and physics in theory and experimental rounds.
⏱ 1 week (December)📅 National selection: spring🎓 Grades 9–10 - SelectiveNACLO/UKLO/OzCLOInternational Linguistics Olympiad — National Rounds
National linguistics olympiads (NACLO, UKLO, OzCLO, etc.) that select for the IOL — many are open worldwide via school registration.
📅 January–February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveIOLInternational Linguistics Olympiad (IOL)
Puzzle-based olympiad in theoretical, mathematical, and computational linguistics — no prior knowledge of the languages required.
⏱ Multi-day contest📅 National selection: winter/spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveIMMCInternational Mathematical Modeling Challenge
International team-based math modeling competition for high schoolers.
📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12 - Highly SelectiveIMO FoundationInternational Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
The oldest and most prestigious pre-university math olympiad; students qualify through their national math olympiad and represent their country at the IMO.
⏱ 2-day exam + travel📅 National selection: fall🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateIMO FederationInternational Medical Olympiad
International team olympiad on medicine, anatomy, and public health for high schoolers.
📅 Fall registration🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveIOIInternational Olympiad in Informatics
Premier international algorithmic programming competition; qualify via national CS olympiad.
📅 National selection Spring🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveIPOInternational Philosophy Olympiad
International philosophical essay competition; students write in a language other than their native tongue.
📅 National selection Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveIPhOInternational Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
Annual international physics competition for secondary students; entry is through the national physics olympiad in your country.
⏱ 2-day exam + travel📅 National selection: fall🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateEdu MithraInternational Space Olympiad
International olympiad on space science, astronomy, and rocketry with online prelims.
📅 Autumn🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectivePerimeter InstituteInternational Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)
Free two-week program for students entering their final year of high school; lectures, mentor sessions, and problem sets from Perimeter researchers on modern theoretical physics.
⏱ 2 weeks (July)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveUniversity of IowaInternational Writing Program Between the Lines
Two-week international creative writing program pairing US and international teen writers.
📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveIYPTInternational Young Physicists' Tournament
International team competition where students research and defend solutions to open-ended physics problems.
📅 January (national selection)🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateIYNCInternational Youth Nuclear Congress
Biennial international conference for young professionals and students in nuclear science.
📅 Biennial🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveIZhOInternational Zhautykov Olympiad
International math, physics, and CS olympiad hosted in Kazakhstan; individual events.
📅 January🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveUniversity of CambridgeIsaac Physics
Free platform of physics and math problem sets with online mentoring, mastery levels, and printable revision sheets used by GCSE, A-level, and international students worldwide.
⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveJohn Locke InstituteJohn Locke Institute Essay Competition
Free essay competition in philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. Open worldwide, ages up to 18.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveJohn Locke InstituteJohn Locke Institute Global Essay Competition
International essay competition across philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law.
📅 Late June🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveJA WorldwideJunior Achievement Company of the Year
International youth business venture competition run in 100+ countries.
📅 Varies by country🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveKaggleKaggle Competitions
Global data-science competition platform with beginner "Getting Started" tracks, community notebooks, and cash-prize challenges accessible from anywhere.
⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateKAISTKAIST International Summer Program
STEM summer program at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
⏱ 4 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveMath Kangaroo InternationalKangaroo Math Competition
Global multiple-choice math competition run in 90+ countries.
📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveKing's College LondonKing's College London Pre-University
Two-week academic summer school across law, medicine, and international relations.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 June🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveLeiden UniversityLeiden University Summer Schools
Broad catalog of summer courses in the Netherlands, from law to astronomy.
⏱ 1-3 weeks📅 July🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveLondon School of EconomicsLSE Pre-University Programme
Two-week academic summer programme at LSE for 15–18 year olds in economics, international relations, law, or business — bursaries available for financial need.
⏱ 2 weeks (July/August)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - Highly SelectiveLondon School of EconomicsLSE Summer School (Pre-Uni)
Pre-university summer courses at LSE in economics, law, business, and international relations.
📅 May🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateLumiere EducationLumiere Research Scholar Program
Independent research program mentored by PhDs; open to high schoolers worldwide.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveMarshall Society (Cambridge)Marshall Society Essay Competition
Global economics essay prize run by the Cambridge Marshall Society.
📅 August🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveMohamed bin Zayed University of AIMBZUAI AI Summer School
Machine learning and AI summer school at the UAE's dedicated AI university.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 April🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveMcGill UniversityMcGill Mini-Med School
Lecture series introducing high school and community members to medical science and clinical topics.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 October🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveMitacs (Canada)Mitacs Globalink Research Internship
Paid 12-week summer research internship in Canada for undergraduates from partner countries.
📅 September🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateTHIMUN FoundationModel United Nations International Conferences
The largest international high school MUN conference network; THIMUN Hague, Singapore, Qatar, and more.
📅 Rolling (multiple conferences)🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNASANASA International Space Apps Challenge
The largest annual global hackathon: 48 hours to solve real challenges using NASA's open data, with local host cities on every continent.
⏱ 48 hours (October)📅 September🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveNuffield FoundationNuffield Research Placements
Fully-funded UK STEM research placements for Year 12 students, prioritized for those from low-income backgrounds; hosted by universities, research institutes, and companies.
⏱ 4–6 weeks (summer)📅 March (UK Year 12)🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveNational University of SingaporeNUS High School Research
Undergraduate-level research mentorship at NUS for advanced high school students.
⏱ 12 weeks📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveThe New York TimesNYT Learning Network Contests
Free monthly writing, photo, and podcast contests for teens 13–19 worldwide.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveBow Seat Ocean Awareness ProgramsOcean Awareness Contest
International student contest in visual art, film, writing, and music addressing ocean conservation.
📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateOdyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind (International Finals)
International creative problem-solving competition with teams from 25+ countries.
📅 Regional Winter, Worlds May🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateOne Young WorldOne Young World Summit
Global summit for young leaders working on social impact and sustainability.
⏱ 1 week📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateOxbridge AcademicOxbridge Global Scholars Programme
Summer academic residencies at Oxford, Cambridge, Barcelona, Los Angeles. Financial aid for admitted students.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveOxbridge LaunchpadOxbridge Launchpad Essay Competitions
Rolling essay competitions across STEM, humanities, and social sciences for global high school students.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveOxford RoyaleOxford Royale Academy
International summer academic programs held at Oxford and other UK/US universities.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveGoethe-InstitutPASCH-Initiative
German government initiative offering scholarships to attend summer language and STEM courses in Germany for students at partner schools worldwide.
⏱ 3–4 weeks📅 January (school-nominated)🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectivePeace FirstPeace First Mini-Grants
Digital platform and mini-grants (up to $250) for 13–25-year-olds anywhere in the world to design and launch a project responding to injustice in their community.
⏱ Project-based📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModeratePolygencePolygence Research Mentorship
1-on-1 online research mentorship with graduate students across any field; open globally.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveRoyal Commonwealth SocietyThe Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition
The world's oldest international schools' writing competition; open to any student in the Commonwealth aged 18 or under.
📅 June🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveSociety for ScienceRegeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
The world's largest pre-college STEM research competition with affiliated fairs in 60+ countries.
📅 Regional fairs Winter–Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveRhodes TrustRhodes Scholarship
Postgraduate scholarship to study at the University of Oxford (long-term aspirational track for HS students).
⏱ 2-3 years📅 October🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveSchmidt Futures × Rhodes TrustRise
A lifetime program for 15- to 17-year-olds worldwide; the top ~500 finalists receive scholarships, mentorship, and career support to work on problems that matter.
⏱ Ongoing📅 Late January🎓 Grades 10–11 - Highly SelectiveSchwarzman ScholarsSchwarzman Scholars
Fully funded one-year master's at Tsinghua University focused on global leadership.
⏱ 1 year📅 September🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveSciences PoSciences Po Summer University
International summer program in Paris on social sciences, humanities, and public affairs.
📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveThe Smallpeice TrustSmallpeice Trust Engineering Courses
Residential engineering courses at UK universities for Year 10–13 students — many fully funded via bursaries; specialisms include civil, aerospace, chemical, and robotics.
⏱ 2–5 days📅 Rolling · by course🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveSorbonne UniversitéSorbonne Université Summer School
Short summer courses in French language, humanities, and science in Paris.
⏱ 2-3 weeks📅 June🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveSGACSpace Generation Advisory Council
Global network for 18–35 year-olds interested in space policy, engineering, and exploration. Local events and scholarships.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveStockholm International Water InstituteStockholm Junior Water Prize
International youth water-research prize awarded during World Water Week in Stockholm.
📅 National rounds Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveSutton TrustSutton Trust US Programme
Fully-funded programme helping state-school students in the UK apply to US universities — includes a residential week in the US, SAT prep, and application support.
⏱ 1 year📅 January (Year 12)🎓 Grade 11 - Highly SelectiveTec de MonterreyTec de Monterrey Global Leadership Program
Youth leadership and entrepreneurship program at one of Latin America's top universities.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateTechnion — Israel Institute of TechnologyTechnion SciTech International Summer Program
Three-week international summer program in science and engineering research at the Technion.
📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveTechnionTechnion SciTech Summer Program
Pre-university STEM program at Israel's leading engineering institute.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveTED-EdTED-Ed Student Talks
Free, self-run program that helps students discover, develop, and share their own ideas in TED-style talks; open to schools and clubs anywhere in the world.
⏱ Self-paced club📅 Rolling · anytime🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveTel Aviv UniversityTel Aviv University International School
Undergraduate summer courses in the Middle East, humanities, and STEM.
⏱ 4 weeks📅 May🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveThe Diana AwardThe Diana Award
International charity honoring young people (9–25) for social action or humanitarian work; programmes include mentoring, anti-bullying, and the Legacy Award.
⏱ Varies📅 Nominations open year-round🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveThe Earth FoundationThe Earth Prize
Global environmental sustainability competition with $200k in prizes for student teams.
📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveTrinity College DublinTrinity College Dublin Summer
Undergraduate summer courses across humanities and STEM at Ireland's top research university.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 June🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of TorontoU of T Summer Mentorship Program
Summer research and mentorship program hosted by the University of Toronto for high school students.
⏱ 4 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 10–11 - SelectiveUK Mathematics TrustUKMT Mathematical Challenges
Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Mathematical Challenges run by the UK Mathematics Trust — international schools can register and top scorers progress to Olympiad rounds.
⏱ 1-hour exam📅 Oct–Feb🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUnited NationsUN Youth Opportunities Board
Curated board of fellowships, internships, and youth advisory roles across the UN system.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveUNESCOUNESCO Youth Programmes
Rolling list of UNESCO calls: youth forums, writing prizes, sustainability grants. Open to youth worldwide.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveUniversity of OxfordUNIQ Summer School
Free residential summer school for UK state-school students in Year 12 — subject-specific academic sessions on the Oxford course you'd apply to.
⏱ 1 week (July)📅 January (Year 12)🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveUWC InternationalUnited World Colleges Scholarships
Two-year, needs-blind scholarships to complete the IB Diploma at one of 18 UWC schools worldwide; students selected by their country's national committee.
⏱ 2 years📅 National deadlines: fall/winter🎓 Grades 10–11 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of SydneyUniversity of Sydney Summer School
Intensive university courses over the Australian summer, open to international students.
⏱ 6 weeks📅 November🎓 Grade 12 - Highly SelectiveUniversity of TokyoUniversity of Tokyo Summer Programs
Short summer programs in Japan across science, technology, and Japanese studies.
⏱ 2-4 weeks📅 May🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateWorld Federation of United Nations AssociationsWFUNA International Model UN
Officially UN-endorsed Model UN conferences that use real UN Rules of Procedure, with editions in New York, Geneva, and rotating global cities.
⏱ 3–5 days📅 Rolling · by conference🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveWRO AssociationWorld Robot Olympiad
Global robotics competition with regional, national, and international finals.
📅 National rounds Summer🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateDemidecWorld Scholar's Cup
Team academic tournament — debate, collaborative writing, quiz bowl, and scholar's bowl — with regional, global, and Tournament of Champions rounds at Yale.
⏱ 2–3 days per round📅 Rolling · regional dates🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectivePeking UniversityYenching Academy Scholars Program
Master's fellowship at Peking University in China Studies for outstanding international graduates.
⏱ 1-2 years📅 December🎓 Grade 12 - SelectivePeking UniversityYenching Global Symposium
Annual student-organized symposium bringing global youth together on Asia-facing issues.
⏱ 1 week📅 November🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveYoung Diplomats SocietyYoung Diplomats Forum
Global essay and forum program engaging teens with foreign policy questions.
⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveICCAYoung ICCA Skills Training
International commercial arbitration training and mentorship for students entering law.
⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grade 12 - SelectiveYoung Scientists JournalYoung Scientists Journal
Peer-reviewed journal written, edited, and reviewed by 12–20 year-old scientists worldwide.
📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12 - SelectiveWharton Global YouthYoung Tycoons Business Challenge
Team competition run by Wharton for high schoolers worldwide — investment, comparative marketing, and business tracks.
📅 Varies by track🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveU.S. Department of StateYSEALI Academic Fellows
Fully-funded five-week academic residency in the US for outstanding students from Southeast Asian countries; tracks in civic engagement, environment, and social entrepreneurship.
⏱ 5 weeks📅 Country-specific (fall)🎓 Grades 11–12
Nationwide programs open to INTL students
- SelectiveArmy Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)AEOP High School Apprenticeship Program
Students work alongside Army scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research projects in world-class laboratories.
⏱ 8 weeks📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmerican Foreign Service Association (AFSA)AFSA National High School Essay Contest
An essay contest designed to engage students in thinking about peace and conflict resolution.
📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveCarnegie Mellon UniversityAI Scholars at CMU
Free AI-focused summer program for rising seniors underrepresented in computing.
⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveAI4ALLAI4ALL Open Learning
Girls in grades 6-12 learn AI and Python through interactive virtual classes.
⏱ 2 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveMathematical Association of AmericaAIME
Invitational round for top AMC scorers. 15-question, 3-hour exam that gates the USAMO. No fee for invited students.
⏱ 3 hours📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveFreedom ForumAl Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
An all-expenses-paid journalism conference for one student from every US state and DC.
⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveAmazonAmazon Future Engineer Scholarship
Scholarship for high school seniors planning to study computer science in college.
⏱ 4 years scholarship📅 December 1🎓 Grade 12 - ModerateMathematical Association of AmericaAMC 10/12
The entry-level American Mathematics Competition. Top scorers qualify for AIME and the path to the USAMO. Open to all US high schoolers; school registration required.
⏱ 75 minutes📅 November🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateACSLAmerican Computer Science League (ACSL)
A multi-division computer science competition covering both theory and programming.
⏱ School year📅 November 30🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAmgen FoundationAmgen Scholars Future Track
Free online biotech simulations and pipeline programs preparing high schoolers for biomedical research.
⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveApple Inc.Apple Swift Student Challenge
Swift coding competition hosted by Apple to showcase creativity and app development skills.
⏱ 1 month📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBerklee College of MusicAspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive
The world's premier summer performance program for contemporary music, including jazz, rock, and pop.
⏱ 5 weeks📅 March 1🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveNCWITAward for Aspirations in Computing (AiC)
Award for girls and non-binary students in computing, providing recognition and a cash prize.
⏱ One-time📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBard College at Simon's RockBard College at Simon's Rock Young Writers Workshop
A 3-week residential program where students engage in creative and analytical thinking through literature and history.
⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveMIT Lincoln LabBeaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Free MIT-led project-based courses in AI, robotics, cybersecurity.
⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grade 11 - SelectiveELASH / Bebras USBebras Computing Challenge (US)
An international computational thinking and informatics competition. Students can take the test remotely or through a local school coordinator.
⏱ 45 minutes📅 Early February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBennington CollegeBennington Young Writers Awards
A prestigious creative writing competition for students to win cash prizes and publication.
📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBlack Girls CODEBlack Girls CODE Workshops
Program that provides coding workshops and tech exposure to young girls of color.
⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBlue Ocean Strategy / variousBlue Ocean Student Entrepreneurship Competition
Free global pitch competition with cash prizes. Teams pitch a novel business idea via video; finalists present live.
⏱ 3 months📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveBreakthroughBreakthrough Collaborative
Free summer and school-year academic program for first-generation, low-income middle schoolers; high schoolers can serve as teaching fellows.
⏱ Multi-year📅 Spring🎓 Grades 6–12
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