12 Social Impact Competitions for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in social impact, one way to explore the field is by joining a competition. Social impact competitions give you the chance to take an issue you care about, come up with a solution, and share it with mentors or judges who often work in the field.
What makes them different from regular school projects is that you usually work in teams, brainstorm solutions, and then present your plan in front of judges. Participating in a competition can help you develop useful skills, such as how to split tasks, research effectively, and explain your ideas clearly. Participating in a social impact competition can also be a strong addition to your CV and college applications. If you’re planning to study fields like public policy, economics, international relations, or business, experiences like these demonstrate that you’re already engaging with important issues.
With that, here’s a list of 12 social impact competitions for high school students to consider!
12 Social Impact Competitions for High School Students
1. Wharton Global Youth Comment & Win Competition
Location: Online
Participation fee: Free
Dates: June 16 – August 15
Application Deadline: Register anytime before August 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide
The Wharton Global Youth Program’s Comment & Win Competition lets students explore business and social impact topics by joining online discussions. In three rounds, you read articles, watch videos, or listen to podcasts, then share your own thoughts and experiences in comments. The focus is on clear, original, and personal responses instead of formal essays. You’ll improve thinking, communication, and discussion skills while learning how to respond to others. Winners get recognition from Wharton, can be featured in news stories, and those who complete all rounds may win a special Grand Prize.
2. GRC Social Impact Essay Competition
Location: Virtual (organized by GRC, a U.S.-based nonprofit with university branches).
Participation fee: Free
Dates: September 1 – December 31 (submission window); results announced February 1
Application Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide; individual or group submissions of up to 3 students.
The GRC Social Impact Essay Competition asks high school students to pick a local or global problem and suggest a solution in a clear, structured essay. Topics include technology for good, climate change, healthcare, education, and human rights. Essays should be 500–1,000 words and can include charts or infographics to support your points. You’ll learn how to present evidence-based solutions. Top winners may get internships with GRC university branches, mentorship sessions with Ivy League experts, and a chance to have their work published on GRC’s Insights platform.
3. AwardX Social Impact Award
Location: Hybrid (virtual and in-person at the BeyondX Conference, San Francisco)
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Application opens annually in the fall; event and pitch sessions run through the academic year
Application Deadline: Typically late fall; check the Eureka Program website for exact dates
Eligibility: High school students globally with an innovative project, research, or startup addressing social challenges
The AwardX Social Impact Award lets you share your research, business, or social impact ideas on a global stage. You present your project at the BeyondX Conference, pitch to judges, get feedback, and compete for recognition and potential funding. The program helps you turn ideas into actionable projects while improving your communication, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving skills. If you become a finalist, you get mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and can join an exhibition featuring youth-led projects tackling social challenges. Past participants have worked on issues like sustainability, health, education, and cultural innovation.
4. MathWorks Math Modeling (M3) Challenge
Location: Entirely online; finalist presentations held at MathWorks headquarters in Massachusetts
Participation Fee: Free
Dates: Challenge weekend takes place in early spring (March); finalist event follows in late spring
Application Deadline: Registration opens in November and closes in late February
Eligibility: Teams of 3–5 high school juniors and seniors in the U.S., or sixth form students in England and Wales; adult coach required
The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3) is a prestigious competition that asks teams of high school students to apply mathematics and data science to urgent real-world problems. Over the course of one intense weekend, you will receive a problem prompt, kept secret until the competition begins, and must research, analyze, and model solutions within a 14-hour time frame. Past challenges have focused on climate change, public health, and sustainable infrastructure, requiring participants to integrate STEM skills with critical thinking and communication. Teams that advance to the finals present their solutions before expert judges in New York City, with scholarships totaling over $100,000 awarded to top entries.
5. Conrad Challenge
Location: Primarily virtual; finalist teams present in person at Space Center Houston, TX
Participation Fee: Free to enter; $149 team fee for Phase 2 (financial aid available)
Dates: August to April; Phase 1 closes October 30
Application Deadline: October 30 (Phase 1 submission deadline)
Eligibility: Teams of 2–5 students ages 13–18 worldwide; adult coach required
The Conrad Challenge is an annual competition for high school teams to solve global problems in areas like energy, health, aerospace, and cyber-technology. Teams move from coming up with ideas to planning a project and pitching it, using STEM, entrepreneurship, and design skills. Participants get webinars, mentorship, and a chance to present at the Innovation Summit, judged by industry leaders. Finalists can earn scholarships, funding, and exposure for their projects, making it a respected platform for student-led innovation.
6. Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Location: Online submission; winners recognized at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony in the U.S.
Participation fee: Free.
Dates: Submissions open in April and close in September; winners announced in November.
Application Deadline: September 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 13–18 from around the world.
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge asks high school students to make a short video explaining a science or math concept clearly and engagingly. You are judged on how well you simplify complex ideas, show creativity, and spark curiosity. Entries are reviewed by peers before expert judging. Winners receive a $250,000 college scholarship, a $50,000 teacher prize, and a $100,000 science lab for their school. The challenge helps you build skills in communication, critical thinking, and sharing knowledge.
7. Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition
Location: Virtual (organized by Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneurs Corporation, Maryland, USA)
Participation fee: Free
Dates: Registration opens in the fall; submissions are due by February 22; finalists and winners are announced between April and May
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 worldwide; may compete individually or in teams of up to 5
The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is a virtual global contest where students create innovative business solutions. You start by learning Blue Ocean Strategy through a free mini-course, then submit a five-minute video pitch showing creativity, feasibility, and social impact. Teams use tools like the Strategy Canvas and Eliminate-Reduce-Raise-Create Grid to analyze industries and explain their ideas. Finalists can win cash prizes from $500 to $1,000, with extra awards for regional winners and schools. All participants get a certificate, and top pitches are featured on YouTube for public voting.
8. World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest
Location: Virtual; winners are showcased at the official UN World Wildlife Day event.
Participation fee: Free
Dates: Submissions accepted until February 2; winners announced and presented on March 3 (World Wildlife Day)
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Youth ages 4–18 worldwide; high school students may participate individually
The World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest invites students to create artwork that raises awareness about wildlife conservation. Run by the International Fund for Animal Welfare with CITES and the UN Development Programme, the contest asks for original art using markers, crayons, or paint, focusing on threatened or endangered species. Winning pieces are displayed at the UN’s World Wildlife Day event, giving students a chance to share their work globally. The contest combines creativity with advocacy, showing how art can inspire action and support conservation.
9. SAGE USA Competition
Location: Virtual (national-level competition in the U.S.; winners advance to SAGE World Cup)
Participation fee: Free
Dates: May 2–May 16; winners announced May 23
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. (ages 13–19), working in teams
The SAGE USA National Competition is a contest for high school students to showcase businesses that create social impact. Teams prepare a 4-page annual report and give a 13-minute live video presentation, followed by a 7-minute Q&A with judges. You explain your venture’s operations, community impact, and results while showing leadership, creativity, and problem-solving. Product demos are allowed, but the focus is on sharing results and social benefits. Winners represent the U.S. at the SAGE World Cup, gaining international recognition. The competition tests innovation, decision-making, and real-world outcomes.
10. Diamond Challenge
Location: Hybrid (virtual submissions with final summit at University of Delaware, Newark, DE)
Participation fee: Free
Dates: January 16 – May 1-2
Application Deadline: January 16 at 5:00 PM EST
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 worldwide; teams of 2-4 members with one adult advisor
The Diamond Challenge is a global entrepreneurship competition for high school students with two tracks: Business Innovation and Social Innovation. You’ll work in a team to design a venture, either solving customer needs or tackling social and environmental challenges. In the Social Innovation track, you focus on projects that create measurable community impact while building sustainable revenue. Along the way, you get access to entrepreneurship lessons, mentorship, and feedback from judges. After validating your idea with customer interviews and research, you pitch at live events. Finalists compete at the Limitless World Summit in Delaware, with top prizes up to $12,000 plus awards for sustainability, tech, and social justice.
11. The Earth Prize
Location: Virtual (global competition with regional representation)
Participation fee: Free
Dates: September 1 – January 31 (registration and submissions); results announced April 29
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Students aged 13-19 worldwide (born 2006-2012); teams of 1-5 members enrolled in secondary education
The Earth Prize is a global sustainability competition for teens with $100,000 in prizes. You and your team create a project that tackles issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, waste, or clean energy. Your idea can be brand new or something you’ve already started, and it’s judged on impact, innovation, and scalability. You’ll get mentorship from experts at over 70 universities, plus access to learning resources through The Earth Prize community. Regional winners receive $12,500 to grow their projects, and finalists compete for the top awards.
12. RFK Human Rights Speak Truth to Power Video Contest
Location: Virtual submissions; winners showcased at Tribeca Festival, New York City
Participation fee: Free
Dates: Submissions open annually; entries due by 11:59 PM EST on May 6
Application Deadline: May 6
Eligibility: Middle school, high school, and college students worldwide; individual or group submissions welcomed
The RFK Human Rights Speak Truth to Power Video Contest invites students to make 3–5 minute videos about human rights issues you care about. You can use documentaries, narratives, or experimental styles, and you’ll learn research, interviewing, and editing skills. Judges include film professionals and educators. Winners get certificates and prizes, and finalists showcase their films at the Tribeca Festival in New York City, gaining national recognition.
If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you build a startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab!
The Young Founders Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
You can access the application link here!