Information On Breakthrough Junior Challenge And How To Apply

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual worldwide competition for youngsters that seeks to empower them to share amazing science concepts with their peers. This competition is open to students ages 13 to 18 from all around the world. It was launched by Yuri Milner and Julia Milner via the Breakthrough Prize Foundation.

The objective behind the Breakthrough Junior Challenge is to create and deliver innovative videos that teach a topic or theory in physics, biology, or mathematics. The competition videos are 90 seconds or less in duration. The winners will be decided on the participant’s ability to articulate complicated scientific concepts in an entertaining, intelligent, and innovative way. Yuri Milner and his wife decided to launch the Breakthrough Junior Challenge after joining the Giving Pledge, in which they committed to supporting science and the dissemination of scientific discoveries.

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is part of the Breakthrough Prize, which was created to celebrate groundbreaking advancements in basic physics, biology, and mathematics. The Breakthrough Prizes are supported by foundations founded by Yuri Milner and Julia Milner,  Anne Wojcicki, Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan, and Mark Zuckerberg.

Yuri Milner’s wife Julia has played a major role in promoting the competition, which she and Yuri Milner see as advancing a key aspect of their scientific philanthropy: inspiring the next generation of scientists. This notion prompted the creation of a high school video competition to encourage short videos that explain scientific or innovative ideas. 

Rules and Prizes

The competition began at 12:01 a.m. PDT on April 1, 2022, and will finish at 11:59 p.m. PDT on June 25, 2022. The competitive phase is the name given to this timeframe. The outcome is not determined by chance because it is a competition based on merit. Participants must be between the ages of 13 and 18 and have their parent’s or legal guardian’s permission to participate if they are a minor. Only English-language entries, including scripts and audio, will be considered which do not include any unlawful, abusive, or offensive information.

Lastly, unless you have received prior specific permission, you must not include anyone else’s footage. You must be the sole owner of the content you create or submit. You also agree that your contribution is individual research developed wholly by you and that you are the only owner of all intellectual property rights. The award for the Breakthrough Junior Challenge not only benefits the participant but also has added features. The winner will get a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship, and there will be a $50,000 reward for your instructor who has influenced and encouraged you. The school will receive a $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab grant for repair or upgrade reasons.

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge 2021 Winners

Amber Kwok took first place in the 2021 Breakthrough Junior Challenge, while Gornekk Suwattanapong was awarded the Space Exploration Champion in 2021.

How to Submit Your Entry

To submit your entry, go to breakthroughjuniorchallenge.org, click “Enter” at the top of the page, and the application form will appear on the screen, which you need to fill out by following the mentioned instructions to receive one (1) entry. For your entry to be authentic and complete, you must also evaluate at least five (5) additional entries from other entrants. In particular, your video submission must be one minute and thirty seconds (1:30) or less, according to YouTube’s clock.

The competitor sponsor will be unable to see and assess your competition submission if your video is set to private. Any video that lasts more than 1:30 minutes or has a private tag will be rejected. Each participant is restricted to one (1) entry throughout the competition period. You are not permitted to enter under more than one genuine and consistent identity. Multiple entries from the same individual are not allowed and will lead to rejection.