Real competitions and programmes you can enter, with the age rules, costs and deadlines checked on each organiser's own site. Prize money is shown in the organiser's own currency. Rules change, so always read the official page before you enter.
Last checked: 26 October 2026
Soonest first. Times are the organiser's own.
Turn an idea into a pitch, a plan or a real company.
More than US$100,000 in awards. Grand prizes US$12,000, US$8,000 and US$4,500 in each track (business and social innovation).
Checked on the official site, 26 Oct 2026 · Diamond Challenge competition page (opens in a new tab)
Prizes from US$300 to US$1,500 for ideas that tackle the UN Global Goals.
Checked on the official site, 26 Oct 2026 · NFTE 2026–27 launch announcement (opens in a new tab)
Set up and run a real company with your classmates for a school year, with a business volunteer.
Checked on the official site, 26 Oct 2026 · Young Enterprise (opens in a new tab)
Run a student company from idea to sales.
Not fully confirmed: check the official site · JA Canada (opens in a new tab)
Start a tiny business, solve a real problem and learn how money works.
Not fully confirmed: check the official site · Young Change Agents (opens in a new tab)
A goodwill loan to start trading, run by the Peter Jones Foundation.
Not fully confirmed: check the official site · Peter Jones Foundation (opens in a new tab)
Show your work, get it judged by professionals, win kit or scholarships.
Enter up to 3 photos on a theme, taken in 2026. The winner becomes Youth Photographer of the Year and gets Sony camera gear.
Checked on the official site, 26 Oct 2026 · World Photography Organisation (opens in a new tab)
Recognition, exhibitions and scholarships. Categories include photography, film, art and writing.
Checked on the official site, 26 Oct 2026 · Scholastic 2027 Participation Terms and Awards Calendar (opens in a new tab)
National awards for films made by young people.
Not fully confirmed: check the official site · Into Film (opens in a new tab)
A qualification for creative projects, from Discover to Gold.
Not fully confirmed: check the official site · Arts Award (opens in a new tab)
Build something that solves a real problem.
Finalists present at the Innovation Summit (21–24 April 2027) and compete for scholarships.
Checked on the official site, 31 Oct 2026 · Conrad Challenge 2026–27 Student Guide (opens in a new tab) · Calendar (opens in a new tab)
A US$7,500 grant to build an invention.
Checked on the official site, 26 Oct 2026 · Lemelson-MIT Program (opens in a new tab)
Free programmes that build confidence, skills and something for your CV.
Courses on confidence, teamwork and work skills, often with a qualification. No cash.
Not fully confirmed: check the official site · The King's Trust (formerly The Prince's Trust) (opens in a new tab)
Scholarships for young leaders (the 2023 national winner received US$50,000).
Not fully confirmed: check the official site · Boys & Girls Clubs of America (opens in a new tab)
Not for under-18s, but worth knowing about now so you can plan ahead.
Free business support. Grants and start-up loans may be available: amounts differ between sources, so check the official site.
Start-up financing of up to C$75,000 plus mentoring.
A US$250,000 grant over two years to build something instead of going to college.
Grants of up to £3,000 for young music creators. The latest round closed on 25 September 2026: check for the next one.
Official site: Youth Music NextGen Fund (opens in a new tab)
Every competition on this page is run by an organisation you can look up. If a "competition" you don't recognise asks for a fee or your bank details, walk away.
Most organisers need a parent or guardian to agree to the rules when you register. Do it together.
Ages, deadlines and fees change every year. The organiser's page always wins over anything on this site.
Teams, coaches and good ideas take time. Pick one competition, put the deadline in your calendar and work back from it.
Want to make money instead? Try the Hustle Finder. Want a skill that lasts? See Future Skills.