The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a global competition for students between the ages of 13 and 18. The Challenge invites them to create a short video—no longer than two minutes—that clearly and creatively explains a concept in life sciences, physics, or mathematics.
The winning student earns a $250,000 college scholarship. The teacher that inspired them gets a $50,000 award, and the student’s school receives a $100,000 high-tech science lab. They will also be honored at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony.
Submissions are due by September 15, 2025.
Anyone between the ages of 13 and 18
You can take part in this year’s Challenge as long as you’re:
13 or older by 12:01 AM PDT (West Coast USA) on May 1, 2025
Not older than 18 (not yet 19) as of 11:59 PM PDT (West Coast USA) on October 1, 2025
We welcome submissions in English from anyone of those ages, including homeschooled students, students with disabilities, and students from all over the world. For additional details, check out the Rules.
Entry Rules
The ConnectHER Film Festival is an international youth competition that welcomes short films about issues that impact women and girls. Before making a film for submission, please read all of the following entry requirements and FAQs. We are excited to see your submissions! Good luck!
Films must focus on one of our topic areas listed here.
We accept every type of filmmaking form and style; whether animation or live-action, documentary or narrative.
Filmmakers must be 13 to 25 years old at the submission date. That means that scripts, storyboards, directing, cinematography, editing, etc., must be done by people who meet this age requirement. Actors can be any age.
Films must be original works that have not yet been screened at other major film festivals.
Films must have been completed after January 1, 2025.
Films must be 3 to 6 minutes long.
Film file formats accepted are .mov and .mp4. HD resolution and optimized sound quality are highly preferred. Digital submission through Google Drive is preferred, but Dropbox also works.
All participants must adhere to the following file naming format when submitting materials:
Portrait/Headshot File: Must be named using the participant's first and last name, formatted as: FirstName_LastName (e.g. Jane_Doe.jpg).
Film File: Must be named using the film title followed by the names of all filmmakers, formatted as: Title_by_FilmmakersNames_Country (e.g., Sunrise_by_JaneDoe_JohnSmith_AmyLee_UnitedKingdom.mp4).
Submissions that do not follow this naming convention may be disqualified or returned for correction.
Our viewers love to see and know about local organizations that are working on solutions! At the end of your film, please include a graphic that highlights two local/national/regional organization names & logos that are working to solve the issue or problem addressed in your film.
All films must be subtitled in English.
Films must be submitted by the deadline to qualify. No late submissions will be accepted.
If your film contains any graphic content, include a warning near the beginning of the film. ConnectHER has full discretion in accepting films, particularly in instances where film submissions contain nudity, profanity, violence, or sexually explicit content.
PowerPoints will not be accepted. Films must have some cinematic value.
Eligibility:
This competition is open to high school musicians (grades 9-12) enrolled during the 2025-2026 academic year. String, piano and harp players are eligible to apply. (Woodwind, brass and percussion players will be eligible in the 2027 competition.)
NOTE: After applications close for the 2026 competition, the next opportunity for string, piano and harp players to apply will be for the 2028 competition (applications due Nov. 2027).
Previous competition winners and immediate family members of current/former U.S. Marine Band members are not eligible. All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents.
Eligibility:
Open to 9th-12th graders who are impacted by cancer and live in the United States.
Essay length must not exceed 1,500 words.
Not eligible: poems, essays about a pet, or fiction
Essays must be original content of the author and in their own voice
Cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded to the winners (winners will be asked to fill out a IRS W-9 form).
Winners will be invited to a virtual celebration and asked to read their essays