Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2026: $250,000 Scholarship
Got a science idea that you can explain in a way people actually understand? The Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2026 gives students a chance to turn that idea into a short science video and compete for a major education prize.
The competition is open now, and the deadline is September 15, 2026. The winner can receive a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, while additional prizes are available for a teacher and a science laboratory.
Competition: Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2026
Age: 13–18
Deadline: September 15, 2026
Video Length: Maximum 2 minutes
Main Prize: $250,000 post-secondary scholarship
Entry: Free
What Is the Breakthrough Junior Challenge?
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a global science video competition where young students explain an important scientific or mathematical concept through a short, creative video.
The idea is simple: pick something that is difficult to understand, learn it properly, and explain it in a way that makes sense to someone who may not know the subject.
The 2026 competition covers physics, life sciences and mathematics.
Who Can Apply?
You can participate if you meet the competition's age requirements.
- You must be at least 13 years old by May 11, 2026.
- You must not be 19 years old by October 1, 2026.
- Students from around the world can participate, subject to the official eligibility restrictions.
- If you are under 18, parent or legal guardian permission is required.
You do not need to be a science competition winner or professional researcher. What matters is your ability to understand a challenging concept and explain it creatively.
What Is the $250,000 Scholarship?
The biggest prize is a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship for the winner.
The competition also includes:
- $50,000 prize for the winner's teacher
- $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab prize
The scholarship is intended for post-secondary education, making this opportunity especially interesting for students who are planning their future studies.
What Do You Have to Make?
You need to create a short science video explaining a challenging concept in an engaging and understandable way.
Your topic should fall within one of the competition's eligible areas:
- Physics
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
The video must be 2 minutes or shorter. You can use animations, simulations, demonstrations and other visual techniques to make your explanation more interesting.
Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2026 Deadline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | May 11, 2026 |
| Application & Video Deadline | September 15, 2026 |
| Peer Review Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
| Finalists Announced | December 10, 2026 |
The application and video must be submitted by September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT.
How to Apply
1. Choose a Strong Topic
Pick a concept that is genuinely interesting but difficult for a general audience to understand. Avoid choosing something that can be explained with one simple definition.
2. Learn the Concept Properly
Before writing your script, make sure you understand the science yourself. A good explanation starts with a strong understanding of the topic.
3. Write a Simple Script
Two minutes is not much time. Start with the question or problem, explain the core idea, and finish with a memorable takeaway.
4. Make the Video Engaging
You can use drawings, animations, simulations, physical demonstrations or other visual techniques. The goal is not to make a complicated movie. The goal is to make a difficult idea easier to understand.
5. Submit Your Application
Complete your profile and application, upload your video and submit everything before the deadline.
6. Complete Peer Review
Submitting the video is not the only step. Participants must review and score at least five other submissions by September 30, 2026 to complete the application requirements.
How to Make Your Video Stand Out
- Choose a topic that is genuinely difficult to explain.
- Start with a strong question or surprising idea.
- Use simple language instead of unnecessary scientific jargon.
- Use visuals to explain the difficult parts.
- Keep the story focused on one main concept.
- Make sure the science is accurate.
- Stay within the two-minute limit.
- Make the explanation your own.
Can You Use AI?
The official FAQ allows AI to be used as a tool to help execute your vision. However, the submission itself must be your own original work, and you must be the sole author of the content.
That means using technology for production assistance is different from simply submitting someone else's work or copying an explanation from the internet.
Is the Breakthrough Junior Challenge Free?
Yes. Registration and participation in the competition are free.
Can College Students Participate?
Yes, if they satisfy the competition's age requirements. The official FAQ specifically notes that someone enrolled in college or university can participate as long as they meet the required age criteria.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes. The competition welcomes eligible participants from around the world, although certain countries or regions subject to applicable U.S. sanctions or other restrictions may be excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2026?
It is a global science video competition where eligible young students explain concepts from physics, life sciences or mathematics through short creative videos.
What is the deadline?
The 2026 submission deadline is September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT.
How much is the main prize?
The winner receives a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship.
How long can the video be?
The video must be 2 minutes or shorter.
How old do you have to be?
Participants must be between 13 and 18 years old under the competition's specific date-based eligibility rules.
How many entries can one person submit?
Each participant can submit one entry during the competition period.
Final Takeaway
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2026 is an unusual opportunity because you do not need to submit a traditional scholarship essay or simply fill out an application. You have to teach something difficult through a short, original science video.
If you are eligible and have a science or mathematics concept you genuinely enjoy, this could be worth trying. The most important date to remember is September 15, 2026.
Start early, choose your topic carefully and leave enough time to record, edit and submit your video.
Official Challenge Website
Breakthrough Junior Challenge: breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org
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