$250,000 Breakthrough Junior Challenge
- Organization: Breakthrough Prize Foundation
- Type: Competition
- Location: Global
- Deadline: September 15, 2026
- Funding: Fully Funded
The Breakthrough Prize Foundation runs this annual global science video competition, founded in 2015 by Julia and Yuri Milner. You pick one theory, concept or principle in physics, life sciences or mathematics and explain it in a video of two minutes or less, in any style you like. Entering is free, anyone aged 13 to 18 anywhere in the world can take part, and one winner is chosen each year. **What you get:** - A $250,000 post-secondary scholarship for the winning student, paid directly to the accredited college or university where they enrol as an undergraduate - The scholarship covers tuition, fees, required books and supplies, on-campus room and board, and other approved education-related expenses - $50,000 in cash for one teacher the winner names as the person who inspired them in science or mathematics, which the teacher may spend however they wish - Up to $100,000 towards a Breakthrough Science Lab at the winner's school, a science lab renovation or addition designed in partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, with the Foundation coordinating the work and paying approved costs - The total package is valued at roughly $400,000 across the three parts, and one winner is selected worldwide each year - Up to 30 videos are published on the Breakthrough YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok channels during the Popular Vote, which is real exposure well short of winning - Seven Regional Champions and one Popular Vote Top Scorer are named and posted on the Challenge website **What you'll do:** - Create an original video of two minutes or less explaining a concept in physics, life sciences or mathematics, in English - Take any form you like: animation, talking head, documentary, dramatic reconstruction, or a physical demonstration - Upload the video to YouTube, keep it public, and submit the link with your application - Answer a short questionnaire about yourself, your school and your chosen topic - Name a teacher or tutor, current or past, who inspired you in science or mathematics - Score at least five other entrants' videos in the Peer-to-Peer Review by September 30, which is required for your own entry to count - Entries are judged on four criteria: engagement, illumination, creativity and difficulty, each on a five-point scale **Key dates:** - Applications opened May 11, 2026 - Submissions close September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT - Peer-to-Peer Review runs September 17 to 30, 2026, with your five required reviews due September 30 at 11:59 PM PDT - Administrative Review October 1 to 3, 2026 - Evaluation Panel scores the top 75 entries October 4 to 25, 2026 - Verification of up to 30 finalists October 26 to November 18, 2026 - Popular Vote runs November 24 to December 9, 2026 - Finalists, Regional Champions and the Popular Vote Top Scorer announced December 10, 2026 - Winner announced on a date the Foundation has not yet set **More information:** - Full eligibility, prize restrictions and the binding arbitration agreement are set out in the Official Rules at breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org/rules - The FAQ covers subject scope, age edge cases, home schooling and video format at breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org/faq - The trait scoring rubric used by both peers and judges is published at breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org/judging - Past winning videos are on the Challenge and Winners pages and are the clearest guide to the standard
