Breakthrough Junior Challenge

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award

2026 prize: $250,000 undergraduate scholarship, $50,000 for an eligible inspiring teacher and up to $100,000 for school science-lab work. The scholarship is paid directly to an accredited institution for approved education costs and must be used within eight years of high-school graduation.

Deadline

2026 video/application entry closed September 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Existing entrants must finish at least five peer reviews by September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. The 2027 entry cycle is not published.

How to apply

The 2026 process required an individual original English-language science or mathematics video of at most two minutes on YouTube, not private, plus an application and at least five peer reviews. Evaluation-panel review, popular vote and final judging follow. Current 2027 instructions are unconfirmed.

What you'll need

• A video

Who can apply

2026 entrants had to be at least 13 by May 11, 2026 and not yet 19 on October 1, 2026. Minors needed parent/guardian permission. Group entries, prior sponsor-competition winners, sponsor-connected persons and residents or persons barred under the stated sanctions restrictions were excluded. Current 2027 age dates and other rules are unconfirmed.

Good to know

One entry per person. Popular vote can advance one entry; judges choose the final winner. The teacher and lab awards do not go to the student. Current 2027 prize terms and eligibility must be checked when published.

Details

STEMInternational students eligible