◷Winter/spring student recruitment cycle · Next cycle
◇Varies · In person
Seasonal student jobs across national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas, with roles in ecology, visitor services, heritage, and operations.
Eligibility: Canadian high-school and post-secondary students who meet the current student-status, age, and work authorization requirements for each posting.
A virtual global pitch competition where high-school students develop a business idea, record a five-minute pitch, and compete for cash prizes.
Eligibility: High-school students worldwide may enter solo or in teams of up to five; students can participate with an idea and use the organizer’s pitch resources.
A global sustainability competition that mentors young people as they develop solutions to environmental problems and compete for recognition and support.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–19 worldwide working individually or with a team on an environmental sustainability solution; review the current competition rules for entry details.
Transformational educational expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctic, and Canadian coasts connecting youth with scientists, Indigenous Elders, and full scholarship support.
Eligibility: Youth aged 14 to 24 (Grades 9–12 eligible) demonstrating passion for climate action, ocean conservation, biodiversity, or Indigenous reconciliation.
A science challenge covering biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics for younger high-school students, with a route toward international selection.
Eligibility: Students in Canadian schools who meet the current age limit, generally 15 or younger; read the qualification rules carefully.
University of Waterloo School of Accounting and Finance
Canada-wide school competition
#Grades 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
◷Annual financial literacy cycle · Next cycle
◇Varies · Online
A team competition built around personal finance, business decisions, and practical financial literacy for secondary students.
Eligibility: Students participate through a recognized Canadian high school; teacher registration and current rules determine the available grade divisions.
A market-simulation challenge that introduces high-school students to trading decisions, financial research, and the impact of news on markets.
Eligibility: High-school students; current event rules indicate the eligible grade range, team format, and whether participation is virtual or campus-based.
◷Annual fall/winter admissions contest · Next cycle
◇Varies · Online
A university admissions contest with a tuition prize for an eligible Canadian high-school student planning to begin at UNB.
Eligibility: Canadian high-school residents other than Quebec, graduating within the cycle’s stated window; read the official rules for exclusions and entry steps.
A provincial summer employment program that gives Newfoundland and Labrador students supervised work experience with approved employers.
Eligibility: Students in Newfoundland and Labrador high-school levels I–III, including students moving from Grade 9 into Level I, who can legally work.
A local scholarship for current Place des Arts students studying dance, music, theatre, literary arts, or visual arts.
Eligibility: Current Place des Arts students who meet the annual application requirements and plan to continue developing in an eligible arts discipline.
A free national student prize bundle contest with a tuition component and education-related prizes for eligible students in Canada.
Eligibility: Students who meet the live contest rules for Canadian residency and student status; entries are submitted through the official Student Life Network contest site.
A Canada-wide scholarship competition where students organize an electronics-recycling initiative and compete for education awards and refurbished technology.
Eligibility: Students residing in Canada who can plan, promote, and execute an e-waste collection project; regional participation requirements may apply.
◷2027 theme announced in September · annual contest · Next cycle
◇Varies · In person
A worldwide creative contest where teens respond to ocean and climate themes through art, writing, film, music, and poetry.
Eligibility: Teens worldwide in the published age range, including Canadian high-school students; entries must follow the annual theme and category rules.
Arts & designEnvironmentBiology & health
Verified September 20, 2026
✦Competition
📅 Entries open October 1, 2026 · regional deadlines vary through January 6, 2027
◷Entries open October 1, 2026 · regional deadlines vary through January 6, 2027 · Open
◇Varies · In person
A major juried arts and writing competition with regional awards and national recognition for teen creators.
Eligibility: Students in Grades 7–12 or equivalent who are age 13+; Canadian entries are accepted through the applicable regional affiliate, except Quebec under the published participation terms.
◷October 15, 2026 · late deadline November 9 · Open
◇Varies · In person
A global essay competition inviting high-school students to make an analytical argument about U.S.–China relations, AI governance, or related policy questions.
Eligibility: High-school and undergraduate students worldwide; high-school essays may be up to 1,500 words and must be submitted in English. Fee waivers are available.
A global design competition for secondary-school students in fashion design, illustration, accessories, and digital character or virtual fashion design.
Eligibility: Students worldwide in Grades 8–12 or equivalent secondary-school stages; the current charter lists individual and school entry requirements, fees, and AI-use boundaries.
A team-based international mathematics tournament where students present and debate solutions to research-style problems.
Eligibility: High-school students worldwide who can form a team and participate in the online or hybrid tournament format; the 18th edition is scheduled for January 2027.
An annual programming competition where teams of two or three high-school students solve challenging problems in Java, Python, C#, or C++.
Eligibility: High-school teams; Canadian students should check the official registration site for 2027 event locations and regional participation requirements when dates are released.
A technical design challenge where high-school teams model a building, size cooling systems, and present engineering calculations using 3D design software.
Eligibility: Teams of 1–5 students aged 13–18; the 2026–27 challenge is open to students who can complete the design and submit the required model and narrative.
A 100% virtual international debate program where four-person student teams research and debate space policy with professional coaching and judges.
Eligibility: High-school students worldwide who can participate in the online course, coaching, and tournament schedule; beginner and experienced debaters are welcome.
A Western Canadian high-school business conference with workshops, networking, and a timed case competition judged by business professionals.
Eligibility: High-school students who can attend the one-day conference and compete in teams of four or five; registration and conference requirements apply.
A multidisciplinary Canadian robotics competition combining robot construction, autonomous programming, design, video, journalism, websites, and bilingual presentation.
Eligibility: Canadian school teams in the senior or junior program; participating teams should review the current game, registration, and age requirements.
A London, Ontario competition where high-school students submit a short video pitch, receive industry feedback, and compete in live finals for cash prizes.
Eligibility: Students from participating Thames Valley District and London District Catholic school boards; teams create a two-minute product or service pitch.
◷2026–27 school-year competition cycle · Next cycle
◇Varies · Online
A bilingual school competition that builds research, public speaking, and teamwork around a current social or technology theme.
Eligibility: Students in participating Canadian secondary schools; the annual theme, team composition, and French-language requirements are published by the organizer.
A large Calgary robotics event featuring VEX high-school and middle-school divisions, with teams competing in a full weekend of robot matches and engineering challenges.
Eligibility: Canadian and international VEX teams that meet the applicable V5RC or VIQRC program rules; registration is completed through the VEX event system.
A Canadian essay contest asking students to engage deeply with current questions about individual rights, freedoms, technology, and public policy.
Eligibility: Canadians and eligible residents aged 15–25 by the deadline; essays must follow the current 1,200–1,500 word rules and respond to one of the published questions.
◷Recruitment and student postings update throughout the year · Rolling
◇Varies · In person
Year-round and seasonal paid student work pathways at the CRA for Indigenous secondary and post-secondary students across fields such as administration, finance, technology, and policy.
Eligibility: Indigenous students who meet the CRA student-employment, age, school-status, and work-authorization requirements; individual postings set the final criteria.
◷Seasonal placements · check local community and sponsor postings · Next cycle
◇Varies · In person
Paid summer placements of at least 80 hours that help First Nations and Inuit youth build work skills, income, and awareness of post-secondary pathways.
Eligibility: First Nations and Inuit secondary or post-secondary students age 15–30 who meet the residency, work authorization, and full-time student requirements; local sponsors provide the placements.
◷Program dates and registration windows vary by community · Rolling
◇Varies · Hybrid
A national network of hands-on STEM programs, camps, workshops, and community experiences, including focused programs for Indigenous youth, girls and gender-diverse youth, Black youth, northern youth, and youth with disabilities.
Eligibility: Program availability, age range, delivery format, and registration steps vary by Actua member and community. Use the official directory to find a current program near you.
Low-to-no-cost online and in-person learning experiences
#Grades 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
◷Workshops and events open throughout the year · Rolling
◇Varies · Hybrid
Hands-on coding workshops, meetups, industry events, and hackathon-style experiences designed to help teens turn ideas into technology projects.
Eligibility: Youth ages 13–17, with many experiences designed for female-identified, trans, and non-binary youth. Current locations, formats, and registration availability vary by event.
Computer scienceArts & designBusiness & finance
Verified September 20, 2026
✦Competition
📅 Fall / winter 2026 article deadline · January 2, 2027
◷Fall / winter 2026 article deadline · January 2, 2027 · Open
◇Paid · Online
An international writing contest where high-school students analyze a current issue in international affairs and may advance to a virtual defense day.
Eligibility: Students in Grades 9–12 outside the United States may enter in English; review the current themes, word limit, AI policy, fee, and submission cycle before registering.
◷2026–27 registration opened September 1 · four-contest season · Next cycle
◇Paid · Online
A school and organization based computer science contest with four online season rounds, programming problems, study materials, and an online final.
Eligibility: Pre-college schools, organizations, and local groups worldwide can register teams; Canadian students participate through an advisor or approved organizer.
⌖School-team proposal and in-person regional competitions
#Grades 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
◷2026–27 regional competition cycle · check event locations and dates · Next cycle
◇Varies · Hybrid
✈Travel may be required
A high-school industry simulation in which teams develop a proposal for a large space settlement; students in Canada can join a school team or attend an available regional semi-final.
Eligibility: For high-school students. Canadians may participate through a school team or register individually for an available in-person regional semi-final; locations, team rules, and fees vary by event. The organizer notes that students younger than 15 may find the final demanding.
An international high-school competition focused on environmental issues, with categories including science, visual and performing arts, business, writing, and robotics.
Eligibility: High-school students from around the world submit an original project through an eligible school or mentor; selected finalists attend the New York event.
EnvironmentBiology & healthEngineering
Verified September 20, 2026
✦Competition
📅 New host registration closes October 15 · contests November 5 and 13
In-person host sites in Canada and the United States
#Grades 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
◷New host registration closes October 15 · contests November 5 and 13 · Open
◇Paid · In person
A U.S.-based high-school math contest open at registered host sites in Canada and the United States. AMC 10 is for eligible students in Grade 10 or below; AMC 12 is for students in Grade 12 or below.
Eligibility: Students must meet the contest’s grade and age limits and write at a participating school, university, math circle, or learning centre. Students and parents do not register directly; ask a local host. New host registration closes October 15, 2026; contests are November 5 and 13.
◷2026–27 contest dates to be announced · free training available year-round · Next cycle
◇Free · Online
Free online programming contests and training for students at all skill levels, with problems that progress from beginner to advanced.
Eligibility: Students worldwide may create an account and compete. Only eligible U.S. students can be selected as finalists for the U.S. international-olympiad teams; Canadian students can still use the contests and training.
Computer scienceMathematics
Verified September 27, 2026
✦Competition
📅 Registration closes January 31, 2027 · Round 1 is February 19
◷Registration closes January 31, 2027 · Round 1 is February 19 · Open
◇Varies · In person
An individual artificial-intelligence olympiad with a proctored first round covering programming, machine learning, and mathematical foundations.
Eligibility: Under-20 students who are U.S. or Canadian citizens/permanent residents, or full-time middle/high-school students studying in the U.S. or Canada. Canadian students can compete, but Team USA selection has separate U.S.-eligibility rules.
◷2027 contest window: April 6–15 · adult supervisor registers the team · Next cycle
◇Free · Online
A free international online team math competition; teams of up to six solve problems during a flexible ten-day contest window.
Eligibility: The high-school division is open internationally. Teams have one to six students and need an adult supervisor to register and start the contest.
◷2027 entries open in December · annual submission deadline February 15 · Next cycle
◇Paid · Online
An international design and research contest for students proposing permanent human settlements in space; individual, team, artistic, and literary entries are accepted.
Eligibility: Students worldwide through Grade 12 may enter in individual or team categories. The entry fee is US$15, with hardship waivers available; some conference-linked scholarship opportunities involve travel.
⌖Online visual-art competition open internationally
#Grades 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
◷October 20, 2026 · Open
◇Varies · Online
An online juried portrait-art contest with a youth division and a $500 CAD award for the top youth portrait.
Eligibility: Young visual artists aged 14–18 worldwide may enter; the organizer lists eligible birth dates and digital-image submission requirements. Check the current rules for any entry fee.
Arts & design
Verified September 27, 2026
✦Competition
📅 November 1, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. ET · $25 entry fee
Online writing contest for Canadian citizens and permanent residents
#Grades 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
◷November 1, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. ET · $25 entry fee · Open
◇Paid · Online
A national short-fiction contest; the winner receives $6,000, publication, and a two-week Banff Centre writing residency, with four additional finalists receiving $1,000 each.
Eligibility: Canadian citizens and permanent residents may submit an original, unpublished story up to 2,500 words. The entry fee is $25; minors should review the current authorization requirements.
Design contests where students create the pin or medal artwork used for the 2027 Skills Ontario Competition; winners receive prize money and provincial recognition.
Eligibility: Students attending an Ontario high school in Grades 9–12 may submit a custom pin or medal design. The 2027 entry deadline is November 20, 2026.
◷2027 registration opens in January · events run March–April · Next cycle
◇Varies · In person
A provincial hands-on skills competition with secondary-level events across trades, technology, and other career areas; registration opens in January 2027.
Eligibility: Secondary students attending a recognized Nova Scotia school or registered homeschool, aged 13–21, earning high-school credits, and meeting the organizer’s residency/citizenship or international-student rules.
Any field
Verified September 27, 2026
✦Competition
📅 School registration closes November 24 · test November 26
⌖Online school-based competition open internationally
#Grades 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
◷School registration closes November 24 · test November 26 · Open
◇Paid · Online
A timed online English-language contest for high-school students, with international rankings and prizes including a two-week trip to Canada for the overall winner.
Eligibility: Students aged 14–20 participate through a school; each school needs at least 10 students, a supervising teacher, and an €80 school licence. Registration closes November 24 and the test is November 26, 2026.
Any field
Verified September 27, 2026
✦Competition
📅 Opens November 2, 2026 · deadline January 10, 2027
◷Opens November 2, 2026 · deadline January 10, 2027 · Open
◇Free · Online
A free global one-minute video challenge where high-school students share an idea that matters to them for a chance to win a full or partial TED Summer School scholarship.
Eligibility: High-school students aged 14–18 of any nationality may enter in English. The challenge opens November 2, 2026; submissions are due January 10, 2027. In-person course scholarships require age 15–18; age-14 winners can use a virtual course.
Arts & designSocial impact
Verified September 27, 2026
◎Scholarship
📅 January 1, 2027 · submission email expected in November 2026
◷January 1, 2027 · submission email expected in November 2026 · Open
◇Free · Online
A Canadian high-school scholarship recognizing students who have made a meaningful contribution to their school, community, city, or country.
Eligibility: Students in Grades 9–12 (or equivalent) at any Canadian high school, including Quebec, may prepare a 500-word application. Each school may submit only one student, selected and submitted by the principal.
◷2027 topic announced in November · submissions expected from February · Next cycle
◇Varies · Online
An international high-school essay contest on Jane Austen’s writing, with scholarships of $1,000, $500, and $250 for the top three entries.
Eligibility: High-school and homeschooled students worldwide may enter; JASNA membership is not required. The 2027 topic and rules are expected in November 2026, with submissions opening in February 2027.
Arts & design
Verified September 27, 2026
✦Competition
📅 Student project registration closes March 10 · fair April 12
Regional in-person fair in Kitchener for Waterloo-Wellington students
#Grades 9 · 10 · 11 · 12
◷Student project registration closes March 10 · fair April 12 · Open
◇Paid · In person
✈Travel may be required
A regional in-person science and engineering fair where students present original projects for awards and a pathway to the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Eligibility: For students in the Waterloo-Wellington region; school-fair participants should be in Grades 7–12. Independent and homeschooled students must contact the registrar early to confirm eligibility. Student registration costs $40, with fee support available.
Prestigious provincial honour celebrating Nova Scotia students and teams who lead exemplary initiatives combating bullying and advancing community inclusion.
Eligibility: Nova Scotia students in public, independent, CSAP, Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, or home schools nominated for outstanding community leadership.
Quebec’s premier provincial science and technology fair, where secondary and Cégep students compete for over $250,000 in prizes and spots on Team Quebec for CWSF.
Eligibility: Secondary school students across Quebec who qualify through local and regional science fairs with an original experiment, design, or popularization project.
A parliamentary simulation held at the Parliament Building in Quebec City where secondary students debate youth-drafted bills as deputies and press gallery journalists.
Eligibility: Students in 3e and 4e secondaire (Grades 9 and 10) in Quebec schools selected through school delegations with teacher sponsorship.
A multi-day model parliament for Ontario youth emphasizing public speaking, civic debate, and non-partisan parliamentary procedure, with full bursary assistance.
Eligibility: Ontario youth aged 14 to 21 (Grades 9–12 eligible); no prior political experience required, open to all backgrounds.
Premier national biotechnology and life-sciences competition connecting high-school researchers with university mentors to carry out scientific investigations.
Eligibility: Canadian high-school and Cégep students submitting an original biotechnology, life sciences, or biomedical research project individually or in pairs.
Annual bilingual educational seminar bringing together delegates from every province and territory for workshops, debates, and the Governor General’s Award for Debate.
Eligibility: Canadian secondary school students in Grades 9–11 selected by provincial or territorial debate organizations to represent their region.
MaplePathSign inBrowse catalog