Timeline
Dec 15, 2025
Applications opened
Mar 1, 2026
Submission deadline
Apr 3rd, 2026
Preliminary selection of finalists
May 1st, 2026
Final competition (online presentations)
Innovation Challenge Series
Competitions and summer programs for high school and college student researchers.
Innovation Case Challenge
Fall 2025 Student Research & Innovation Competition
The Fall 2025 Annual Student Research & Innovation Competition was a national competition for high school and college students working in AI, social innovation, ethics, biomedical technologies, and related fields. It was sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Ding Lab and run as a case competition, so participants submitted both a PowerPoint presentation and a final written report.
Entries could take the form of prototypes, data analyses, literature reviews, or ethical case studies on emerging technologies.
Finalists presented their work to a panel of judges from academia and industry. Top teams received awards, publication opportunities, and mentorship offers.
Categories & Guidelines
Innovation & Future Solutions
Creative concepts, prototypes, new products, emerging technologies, sustainability ideas, disruptive business models, platforms, and ventures across any industry (education, environment, finance, culture, energy, space, etc.).
Science, Technology & Human Advancement
Research, applied science, AI, engineering, design thinking, human performance, neuroscience, biotechnology, AR/VR, climate tech, urban design: anything that pushes knowledge or capability forward.
Society, Policy & Ethics
Ideas tackling real-world issues: governance, digital equity, legal frameworks, global challenges, public health, social innovation, ethics, human rights, future of work, cultural inclusion.
Teams of 2–4, high school or undergraduate.
Each team submitted a 12-slide presentation and a 2,000–3,000 word report.
Awards & Recognition
- First Place: USD $3,000, Certificate of Excellence, and publication opportunity
- Second Place: USD $1,500, Certificate of Excellence, and publication opportunity
- Third Place: USD $800, Certificate of Excellence, and publication opportunity
Selected projects were also eligible to be featured in the Student Research & Innovation Digest.
Honorable Mentions were recognized as well.
Questions about the competition can go to editor@young-innovator.org.
Summer Research & Innovation Bootcamp
Our Summer Research & Innovation Bootcamp is a hands-on program for high school students in grades 9–12 who want to work on real-world problems through research.
The camp runs online over 2–4 weeks during the summer and includes:
Program Components
- Faculty-led workshops on AI, biomedical innovation, ethics, and data science
- Research skill-building in writing, analysis, and critical thinking
- Mentored group projects and presentations
- Guest talks from university researchers and industry professionals
- Optional track: AI Case Challenge accelerator
What You'll Gain
- Deeper understanding of academic research
- A polished and publication-ready project
- Confidence to pursue future STEM opportunities
- College preparation and application support
- Network of peers and mentors
Our mentors and bootcamp trainers are university professors, each holding a Ph.D. and an active appointment at a top institution.
For more information, editor@young-innovator.org.
Occupational Health in Music
This Global Occupational Health Summit in Tertiary Music Institutions, offered as a Pre-Conference Event to the Performing Arts Medicine Association’s International Symposium in Washington, D.C., brings together scholars and experts to address the pressing need for health promotion, education, research, and professional accountability in higher music education. The program highlights the importance of specialized training for healthcare providers, the development of tailored care protocols, and the use of measurable outcomes to meet the unique health challenges musicians face. The summit advocates for tertiary music institutions to assume responsibility for safe learning environments and to recognize occupational health as an essential area of knowledge and competency for all musicians. Visit: OccupationalHealthinMusic.org.