Category
Social sciences competitions engage students in policy research, sociological analysis, economic modelling and applied anthropology. Think tanks, international organisations and government ministries run these challenges to generate evidence-based proposals on migration, inequality, urban development and governance. Prizes include conference presentations, publication in policy journals and funded research fellowships. For students in sociology, political science, economics, anthropology and geography, competition participation demonstrates that your academic work produces findings with practical relevance beyond the university.
Social sciences stats
Tech & Engineering, Design, Architecture, Social sciences
by London Play Design
Could you design something that gives children in London high-quality play experiences? London Play Design is inviting students and recent graduates from UK universities to design play opportunities that make use of f...
Europe · Bachelor, Master, PhD
Deadline
Nov 20, 2026
in 1 week
Prize · Mixed/Other
Winning designs will be built in an adventure playground
Arts/Photography, Tech & Engineering, Design, Business, Architecture, Fashion, Natural sciences, Education, Health, Law, Mathematics, Social sciences
by Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Technical University of Munich, IIT Bombay, Zhejiang University, Hong Kong UST, UNESP Brazil, YGA
The Global Sustainability Challenge, brought to you by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and leading institutions worldwide, invites university students to develop bold solutions in Sustainable Energy and Adapt...
Global, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, Oceania, Middle East · Bachelor, Master, PhD
Deadline
Nov 22, 2026
in 1 week
Prize · Cash Prize
Cash Prizes, Global visibility and recognition, Invitation to Stanford EcoGlobal program
Education, Social sciences
by United Diplomats
United Diplomats presents the United Diplomats Global Assembly 2027 (UDGA 2027), a five-day Model United Nations (MUN) at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, 25–29 January 2027. Theme: Artificial I...
Global · Open to everyone
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
in 2 weeks
Prize · Scholarship
150 scholarships: 30 fully funded, 50 partially funded, 70 semi scholarships
Tech & Engineering, Business, Education, Social sciences
by Build Learning
The Global Innovation Challenge 2026 is a fully virtual business, entrepreneurship and social impact competition for high school students worldwide. Students will develop, test and pitch an original business, startup...
Global, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, Oceania, Middle East · High school Students
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
in 2 weeks
Prize · Cash
USD $1,500 Seed Award from the Global Builder's Seed Fund
Tech & Engineering, Design, Business, Architecture, Natural sciences, Education, Health, Social sciences
by Stanford Center on Longevity
People are living longer than ever before, and throughout these longer lives they encounter periods of transition, changing abilities, new responsibilities, and evolving needs. The 2026-2027 Stanford Center on Longev...
Global · Bachelor, Master, PhD
Deadline
Dec 1, 2026
in 2 weeks
Prize · Cash
Finalists will receive $1,000 USD and Winners of the Finals Competition will receive: 1st place: $10,000 USD, 2nd place: $5,000 USD, 3rd place: $2,000 USD
Social sciences
by Erase Indifference -Auschwitz Pledge Foundation
The Erase Indifference Challenge 2026 is a global competition for proven initiatives that counter indifference to discrimination and inspire people to act. It is open to NGOs, foundations, social enterprises, companies,...
Global · Open to everyone
Deadline
Dec 4, 2026
in 3 weeks
Prize · Cash Prize
€90,000 in total: one Main Award of €20,000 and seven Awards of €10,000 each
Education, Social sciences
by Lumiere Education
The Junior Scholars Essay Contest is a free, international essay competition for students in grades 6 to 8. Six winners share more than $11,000 in cash prizes and scholarships. Entries are reviewed double-blind by profes...
Global · Open to everyone
Deadline
Dec 20, 2026
in 1 month
Prize · Mixed/Other
Gold $300 + $2,890 scholarship; Silver $200 + $2,500; Bronze $100 + $2,000; over $11,000 total
Tech & Engineering, Business, Natural sciences, Education, Health, Law, Mathematics, Social sciences
by Lumiere Education
The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award is open to high school students (grades 9 to 12) worldwide. Winners receive up to $11,000 in cash prizes and scholarships to do independent research with a PhD mentor. Top students are...
Global, Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania, Middle East · High school Students
Deadline
Dec 20, 2026
in 1 month
Prize · Mixed/Other
Up to $11,000 in cash prizes and scholarships + a dinner at Oxford University with 2 Nobel Laureates
Arts/Photography, Tech & Engineering, Design, Business, Architecture, Fashion, Natural sciences, Education, Health, Law, Mathematics, Social sciences
by Immerse Education
A free global public speaking challenge for students aged 14-18. Record a one-minute video answering: "Fast forward to 100 years from now. What difference would excite you the most? Why?" Judges look for a clear idea...
Global, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, Oceania, Middle East · High school Students
Deadline
Jan 10, 2027
in 1 month
Prize · Scholarship
Winners receive full or partial scholarships to TED Summer School 2027 in London, New York, Singapore, Sydney or online.
Tech & Engineering, Natural sciences, Health, Mathematics, Social sciences
by YRI Fellowship
The YRI Global Essay Competition 2027 (also called the YRI Global Research Proposal Competition) asks students to propose an original research project on any question they care about. It is free to enter and open worldwi...
Global · High school Students
Deadline
Jan 10, 2027
in 1 month
Prize · Scholarship
1st place: full YRI Fellowship scholarship (valued at $2,997). 2nd and 3rd place: 50% scholarships. Distinguished Certificates for top proposals.
Education, Social sciences
by Horizon Academic
The Horizon Academic Essay Prize invites high school students worldwide to engage with ideas shaping the future. The 2027 theme is “Back to the Future.” Free registration through 17 Jan 2027; late registration ($5) and s...
Global · High school Students
Deadline
Jan 24, 2027
in 2 months
Prize · Mixed/Other
Grand Visionary $1,000 cash + $6,950 scholarship; Grand Innovator $500 + $4,000; Grand Excellence $250 + $3,000
Business, Social sciences
by Economic Reasoning Initiative
The Economic Reasoning Initiative (ERI) is a national economics and business competition for students in the United States. Who can enter: students who are 13 to 18 years old on February 22, 2027, or who are in high s...
North America · High school Students
Deadline
Jan 31, 2027
in 2 months
Prize · Cash Prize
Top 3 in each of the 5 events win cash from a prize pool of at least $2,000
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Guides and insights from the Student Competitions Magazine.
10 MOOC websites to start your free online education
You do not need a tuition bill to learn something new. MOOCs let you study real university courses from your laptop, and most of them cost nothing to follow. Here are ten places to start.
10 presentation tips for first-time presenters
Sooner or later you will have to stand up and present: a seminar, a thesis defence, a competition pitch. Your first time does not have to be a disaster. Ten tips that actually help.
How Competitions Fuel Student Growth, Confidence, and Career Success
Competitions offer students opportunities to build skills, gain confidence, and expand networks. Discover how participating can transform your academic and professional journey.
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