Are you an international student looking to boost your profile? If yes, then Opportunities Circle is here to fulfil your need. We have compiled a list of Top Competitions for international students 2025-26. These international competitions are available for different levels. International competitions are the opportunities where students will be able to show their knowledge, skills, abilities, and creativity in their specific field and get acknowledgement. But competitions at international level with prizes are something different. Participating in these international competitions can be life changing for students. It will help them in their future career and academic journey, too. These competitions for international students will also open their ways to other opportunities, including different international scholarships, traineeships and internships.
For students, international competitions can be a unique way to gain international recognition, create a strong portfolio, and expand their network. Through participating in these top competitions for international students 2025-26, students will be able to meet and connect with like-minded peers and professionals. These connections will help them in learning and gaining knowledge, furthermore it will also help them in future. They will make contacts and gain exposure to some of the top colleges and corporations worldwide thanks to these international competitions.
There are different types of competitions, some competitions are fully funded, some are partially funded and some competitions offer money prizes, scholarships, certificates and many more. Different institutes provides different types of competitions. Usually the fully funded competitions are onsite competitions. While many competitions are online, where students can participate easily by sitting at their home and win different prizes through these top competitions for international students. Online competitions have become very popular among students all over the world. These online contests provide students a unique opportunity where they can participate, and compete easily.
These international competitions are available in almost all fields. These top competitions are available in science, technology, academic, business, arts, STEM, and many other field. STEM competitions are perfect for those who are students interested in creating solutions to real-world issues. Furthermore there are also many photography, painting, and essay writing competitions. Different photography competitions are very popular among students, these days. Furthermore, there are many SDG’s competitions, which inspires students to work for their planet and win prizes. Following is the list of Top competitions for international students 2025-26:
Importance of International Competitions:
Competitions are very important for international students. These are not just about winning prizes, certificates or cash, they are about gaining skills and experiences. Another benefit of these top competitions for international students are the opportunity to create a global network. Furthermore, competitions will also help them in securing scholarships. Many top competitions offer scholarships to winners, making it an excellent opportunity to fulfil their dream of studying abroad. Moreover, it will also boost your academic profile, which is mostly needed in every scholarship or admission application of top universities. For those who wants to make a difference, these international competitions offer a chance to turn your ideas into pans and, and world-changing initiatives.
List of Top Competitions for International Students 2025:
World Food Prize 2026 Nomination Call | Win A Prize of $500,000
If you meet the eligibility criteria above, make sure to go through the various advantages of this international Food Competition 2026. The list of benefits is compiled below.
Benefits of World Food Prize Competition 2026:
- The World Food Prize is a $ 500,000 prize formally presented at the Laureate Awards Ceremony in mid-October, on or around World Food Day, in conjunction with the international Borlaug Dialogue symposium.
- The 2026 World Food Prize is an opportunity to make your name internationally.
- Information and documents of the winner may be used to prepare press materials on the winner, which means they will get media visibility.
- A chance to make connections and networks with other big names in your relevant field.
- Deadline: May 1, 2025
iF Social Impact Prize 2025 | EUR 100,000 Cash Prize
iF Social Impact Prize 2025 is an amazing opportunity for international students funded by iF. Detailed information about the award prize and benefits is provided in this section. So read it carefully if your project gets selected so you will receive the following benefits.
Benefits of iF Social Impact Prize 2025:
- Winning projects will get a chance to develop their ideas and plans.
- There is no fee to register. You can apply free of charge.
- Winning projects will receive a share of EUR 100,000.
- The winning projects will be showcased and provided on the iF Design Website.
- Winners will get communication support and networking with a global design community, media, and the design-interested public.
- Winning projects will receive their jury report and feedback.
- Furthermore, they will also get an individual Winner Certificate.
- Deadline: June 3, 2025
Waterston Desert Writing Prize 2025 | Win Cash Prizes
Do you meet the eligibility criteria above? If yes, do not forget to read the various advantages of this Writing Prize in 2025. Opportunities Circle has compiled a list of benefits below.
Benefits of Waterston Writing Prize 2025:
- The writing prize offers a cash award of $3,000, providing financial assistance to writers to support their work.
- The winner will participate in the award ceremony and reception at the High Desert Museum in Oregon, USA.
- Moreover, winners of the Waterston Desert Writing Prize will receive recognition for their literary nonfiction work revolving around the desert landscape.
- Winners’ work is promoted through publicity efforts by the High Desert Museum. Hence increasing exposure.
- They will be able to polish their writing skills and craft.
- It is an excellent writing competition in 2025 that aims to increase the recognition and visibility of all participants.
- Deadline: May 1, 2025
UN Tourism Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge 2025
Do you meet the eligibility criteria above? If you do, you must apply for the UN Tourism Global Artificial Intelligence and Deep Tech Challenge. Keep on reading to know more about the benefits this international challenge offers.
Benefits of UN Tourism Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge:
- Winners will gain exposure by presenting their pitches at the UN Tourism Demo Day.
- They will also receive a two-month incubation period at SPARK Innovation Sphere.
- Similarly, winners will have access to more than 90 venture capitalists.
- The UN Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge offers a fantastic opportunity to engage with leading companies and over 150 countries.
- Winners will also receive personalized mentoring programs and the possibility of a pilot project with collaborators from private sector companies and institutions.
- Moreover, startups will have a profile on Playbook, an invitation to participate in the Silicon Valley Summit and access to talent and synergies within the Plug and Play Portfolio.
- It is a fantastic UN program for people and startups focusing on the tourism sector.
- Deadline: March 31, 2025
Royal Society Early Career Researcher Competition 2025 | Win up to £1000
Do you meet the eligibility criteria for this international prize above? If yes, you must apply for this competition for researchers. Keep on reading to know more about the benefits of the Royal Society Researcher Competition 2025.
Benefits of Royal Society Early Career Researcher Competition:
- It is a paid competition for researchers that offers cash prizes.
- The top winner will receive £1000, while two runners-up will be awarded £500 each (or equivalent in local currency).
- The prize money can be used to fund new research projects or assist with conference attendance.
- Similarly, there is free participation and applicants do not have to pay any entry fee to participate in the Biology Letters Competition.
- It is a fantastic opportunity for early career researchers to win cash prizes and submit their research articles.
- Deadline: April 30, 2025
World Food Prize Innovate for Impact Challenge 2025 | Win Up to $50,000
If you meet the eligibility criteria above, you would not want to miss this paid competition. Keep on reading to know more about the benefits of the challenge. Opportunities Circle has listed the benefits for you below.
Benefits of World Food Prize Innovate for Impact Challenge:
- The paid competition offers a fantastic opportunity for startups to compete for cash prizes.
- The winning startup will receive $50,000, second prize winner will receive $10,000 and the third prize winner will get $5,000.
- Moreover, finalists will showcase their solutions at the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, attended by over 1,500 food and agriculture leaders from more than 70 countries.
- Participants will connect with investors, industry experts, entrepreneurs, policymakers and potential business partners on an international stage.
- It is a fantastic challenge for startups worldwide.
- Deadline: April 15, 2025
Oxford/42 New Writing Prize 2025 | Win up to £1500
If you meet the criteria above, you would not want to miss this international contest. Keep on reading to know about the benefits and prizes this award offers.
Benefits of Oxford/42 New Writing Prize 2025:
- The competition offers cash prizes. The winner will receive a £1500 prize.
- The winner will also gain professional representation by 42, a leading management and production company.
- Similarly, aspiring writers can advance their careers and gain recognition in the world of fiction, stage plays, radio plays and screenwriting.
- It is a fantastic creative writing contest by Oxford University.
- Deadline: April 30, 2025
If you are an international student or youth, this article should have given you a lot of great ideas for top international competitions to enter! There are so many competitions out there for you to get involved in. whether you want to compete in business, science, arts, photography, music, there are plenty of opportunities out there in almost all fields. We hope that our list of top competitions for international students 2025 has helped you make your research to find the best competition according to your interest by giving you access to information about competitions near home as well as ones abroad. So what’s stopping you? Go ahead and submit your application today. don’t forget to share this guide on international competition for students with your friends!
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