Breakthrough Junior Challenge
Offered by Breakthrough Prize Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is one of the largest single scholarship prizes available to high school students anywhere. Run by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation — the group behind the so-called 'Oscars of Science' — it asks students to create a short video that explains a big concept in physics, mathematics, or the life sciences in an engaging, original way.
The stakes are enormous: the winner receives a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, and the win pays forward too, with a $50,000 prize for the teacher who inspired the student and a $100,000 state-of-the-art science lab for the winner's school.
There is no essay and no application fee; the video is the application. After the September submission deadline, entries go through a peer review round, an evaluation panel, and a popular vote before the winner is announced. The competition is global, so U.S. students are competing alongside entrants from around the world.
Eligibility
- High school student (the challenge is a global competition for high-school-age students)
- Able to produce and submit an original short science-explainer video
- Video must cover a concept in physics, mathematics, or the life sciences
- Willing to participate in the peer-review round, which is part of the submission process
How To Apply
- Register through the Enter portal on breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org after applications open in May
- Create a short video explaining a challenging science or math concept and upload it with your application by September 15
- Complete the peer review evaluation window (September 17-30) to keep your entry eligible
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Breakthrough Junior Challenge really worth $250,000?
Yes — the winning student receives a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship. The winner's teacher also receives $50,000 and the winner's school gets a $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab.
Do I need to write an essay?
No. The entire application is a short video in which you explain a concept from physics, math, or the life sciences. Judging is based on how engaging, illuminating, and creative your explanation is.