Breakthrough Junior Challenge College Scholarship 2026 – Global Science Video Competition

Breakthrough Prize Foundation High School / Pre-College Global

Breakthrough Junior Challenge College Scholarship - Global Science Video Competition

Scholarship Description

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual, global science video competition for high-school students, founded in 2015 by Julia and Yuri Milner. This prestigious competition challenges students to create engaging, creative videos that bring complex scientific concepts to life. The winner receives a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, a $50,000 prize for their teacher, and a $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab for their school.

The competition aims to empower young innovators and fuel their passion for science. Participants have the opportunity to join a global community of like-minded students, solve real-world problems through scientific communication, and showcase their creativity and understanding of science. The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is open to students aged 13 to 18 from around the world.

Competition Location

The competition is global and entirely online. Students can participate from anywhere in the world by submitting a video entry through the official Breakthrough Junior Challenge website. Winners are announced online and celebrated globally.

Scholarship Deadline

All applications and submission videos must be received by September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT.

Application Submission Deadline: September 15, 2026 (11:59 PM PDT)

Website Opens: May 11, 2026

Recommendation: Plan your video production well in advance. Do not wait until the last day to submit.

Host Institution / Organizer

The Breakthrough Prize Foundation organizes the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. The competition is supported by the founders of the Breakthrough Prize, including Julia and Yuri Milner, and is part of the broader Breakthrough Prize initiative celebrating scientific excellence.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: High school (students aged 13–18). The competition is open to students currently enrolled in secondary school (or equivalent).

Fields: All areas of science, including but not limited to:

Physics and Astronomy
Biology and Life Sciences
Chemistry
Mathematics and Computer Science
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Neuroscience
Engineering and Technology
Any other scientific discipline

Target Group

High school students aged 13 to 18 from any country in the world. The competition is designed for students who are passionate about science and creative communication. Participants must be enrolled in secondary school (or the equivalent) at the time of entry.

Scholarship Prizes

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge offers significant prizes:

$250,000 Post-Secondary Scholarship – for the winner's college or university education
$50,000 Prize for the Winner's Teacher – awarded to the teacher who supported the winner
$100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab – for the winner's school to establish or enhance a science laboratory

Additional recognition:

7 Regional Champions are named each year
A Popular Vote Top Scorer is recognized
Finalists are announced and celebrated globally

📊 Summary of Prizes:
Winner: $250,000 scholarship
Winner's Teacher: $50,000
Winner's School: $100,000 science lab

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

Age: Must be between 13 and 18 years old at the time of entry.
Enrollment: Must be enrolled in secondary school (high school) or the equivalent.
Nationality: Open to students from all countries worldwide.
Video submission: Must create and submit an original science video (typically 2-3 minutes) explaining a scientific concept.
Peer review: Must participate in the Peer-to-Peer Review process by scoring at least 5 other submissions.

Important notes:

All submissions must be in English or have English subtitles.
Participants must agree to the official rules and terms of the competition.
Students must have permission from a parent or guardian to participate.

✅ Eligible Candidates

High school students aged 13–18.
Enrolled in secondary school (or equivalent).
All nationalities welcome.
Passionate about science and creative communication.
Able to create a video explaining a scientific concept.

❌ Ineligible Candidates

Students younger than 13 or older than 18.
Not enrolled in secondary school.
Unable to create and submit a video.
Do not participate in the peer review process.
Previous winners of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge.

Application Procedure

Visit the official website – Go to breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org when applications open (May 11, 2026).
Register and create an account – Sign up as a participant and complete your profile.
Choose a scientific concept – Select a scientific concept or topic that you are passionate about and can explain creatively.
Create your video – Produce a 2-3 minute video that explains your chosen concept in an engaging, creative, and accurate way. The video can be live-action, animated, or a combination of both.
Submit your video – Upload your video to the Breakthrough Junior Challenge platform by the September 15, 2026 deadline.
Participate in Peer-to-Peer Review – Between September 17 and 30, 2026, score at least 5 other submissions as part of the peer review process. You may be asked to score additional submissions.
Wait for results – The Evaluation Panel reviews the top submissions, and finalists, regional champions, and the winner are announced. Popular voting also takes place.
Celebrate – If selected as a finalist or winner, participate in the global announcement and recognition events.

Important notes: You must score at least 5 other submissions during the Peer-to-Peer Review period. The competition timeline includes multiple review phases: Administrative Review, Evaluation Panel Review, and Verification of Finalists. Popular voting allows the public to participate in selecting the Popular Vote Top Scorer.

Official Website & Application Link

Breakthrough Junior Challenge – Official Website

Application Portal: Available on the official website when applications open on May 11, 2026.

Contact: For questions, visit the official website's FAQ section or contact page.

Scholarships groups Join Facebook Group Join Telegram Channel

💡 Final Thoughts and Key Requirements

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an extraordinary opportunity for high school students to combine their passion for science with creative storytelling. With a $250,000 college scholarship, $50,000 for a teacher, and $100,000 for a school science lab, the competition offers life-changing rewards. But beyond the prizes, participants gain valuable skills in science communication, video production, and global collaboration.

Key strategies for a successful entry:

Choose a scientific concept you are genuinely passionate about — your enthusiasm will shine through.
Keep your video engaging, clear, and accurate. The best videos are creative, well-explained, and visually compelling.
Plan your video production early — storyboard, film, edit, and review well before the deadline.
Make sure your video is 2-3 minutes long and follows the competition guidelines.
Participate fully in the Peer-to-Peer Review process — scoring other submissions is required.
Submit your entry by September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT.

Important reminders: The competition is open to students aged 13-18 from all countries. Videos must be in English or have English subtitles. Previous winners are not eligible. The competition timeline includes peer review, panel review, popular voting, and finalist announcements. Start preparing your video early to ensure a polished and compelling entry.

Breakthrough Junior Challenge College Scholarship 2026 – FAQ

What is the Breakthrough Junior Challenge?

It is an annual, global science video competition for high school students, founded in 2015 by Julia and Yuri Milner. Participants create short videos explaining scientific concepts.

What are the prizes?

The winner receives a $250,000 college scholarship. The winner's teacher receives $50,000, and the winner's school receives a $100,000 science lab.

Who is eligible to participate?

High school students aged 13 to 18 from any country worldwide. Students must be enrolled in secondary school (or equivalent).

What is the application deadline?

All submissions must be received by September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT.

What do I need to submit?

You need to create and submit a 2-3 minute original video that explains a scientific concept in an engaging and creative way. The video should be in English or have English subtitles.

Is there a peer review process?

Yes. Between September 17 and 30, 2026, you must score at least 5 other submissions as part of the Peer-to-Peer Review. You may be asked to score additional submissions as well.

Can I participate if I am not a US citizen?

Yes! The competition is global and open to students from all countries.