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.
To be considered eligible for the Odenza Marketing Scholarship you must:
A) Be between the ages of 16 and 25 on the day of the deadline.
B) Submit answers to the essay questions, which can be found on the application page, prior to the deadline.
C) Have at least one full year of post-secondary studies remaining at the time of the award. (Current High School Students are also eligible.)
D) Have a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
E) Be a citizen of the United States or Canada.
The scholarship winner will be announced roughly six weeks after the deadline and will be posted on this website immediately after. All applications must be received by 11:59 pm ET on the day of the deadline. No late applications will be reviewed.
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.
A) Be in Grade 11 or Grade 12
B) Be attending college or university no later than October 1, 2026.
C) Have achieved a GPA of 2.5 or greater during their last academic year.
D) Answer ONE of the essay prompts found below.
Below is the full set of Common App essay prompts:
Choose one topic below and write an essay that is under 700 Words
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
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
To be eligible to apply for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
Be a United States citizen
Application will open December 1, 2023
Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
Be a United States citizen
Application opens on December 1, 2023