ORISE (Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Department of Energy)
STEM Competitions for K-12 Students
Quick online STEM contests for K-12 students from the U.S. Department of Energy's ORISE. Winners get prizes like robotics kits and Chromebooks.
- Amount
- Prizes like VEX robotics kits, Chromebooks and Fire tablets (two winners per grade band)
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Yes, a for-profit school can apply
- Deadline
- Oct 31, 2026 (26 days left)
- Who this fits
- Microschool · Private school · Homeschool co‑opFor K-12 students in any kind of school, including private and homeschool.
- New schools
- Brand-new schools can apply
- Where
- National: schools in any US state
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026on orise.orau.gov
How to apply
- Step 1: Read the instructions and rubric for your grade level
- Step 2: Make the project and write your first name and state on it
- Step 3: Upload it on the competition form by October 31, 2026
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“Students in any schooling situation, including public, private, and homeschool”
Students must be in a U.S., U.S. territory or DoDEA school, and can win two ORISE contests in 12 months. The current contest (STEM Cities) asks students to design a city of the future as a worksheet (K–2) or a short video, poster or slides (3–12). ORISE contacts winners only by email and never asks for payment.
- K-12 student
- Short project: worksheet, 90-second video, one-page poster or 5 slides
- First name and state on the project
Timing
STEM Cities is due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern, October 31, 2026; winners are announced in late November. ORISE runs new contests through the year (the last one was in July 2026), so watch the page for the next one.