Six opportunities this week across science, environment, entrepreneurship, writing, research, and leadership. Have an opportunity? Share it here. If Mwendo helped you on your journey, let us know here!

🏆 Competition · Science  ·  ⏰ Deadline: March 29, 2026

For high school students who enjoy chemistry and want to find out how they compare with students globally, without needing to go through national olympiad selection first.

An online, multi-round chemistry competition open to students globally. You work through diverse chemistry problems at your own level - Junior, Senior, or Youth (post-secondary). Prizes include over $1,500 USD in cash, gold, silver, and bronze medals, and national awards for top performers per country.

Deadline is March 29 - in <9 days. Register and submit solutions at the link below.

Apply here →

🏆 Competition  ·  Deadline: April 08, 2026

For students aged 14-24 who have an idea or an established project focused on protecting or restoring nature in their local community.

Cash grants to fund real environmental work: $5,000 (Seed) for a groundbreaking idea, $10,000 (Stem) for a small established project, or $15,000 (Iris) for projects with demonstrated impact that can be replicated. You apply through an eligibility quiz that determines which tier fits where you are.

Take the eligibility quiz first - it determines which prize tier you apply for. Open to individuals and youth-led groups.

Apply here →

🏆 Competition  ·  Deadline: April 29, 2026

For secondary school students who have a business idea they want to pitch and develop.

A free competition where you submit your startup idea, get judged by entrepreneurs and investors, and, if selected as a finalist, pitch live on Demo Day. Winners receive $2,000 in cash plus a scholarship to attend LaunchX, a summer entrepreneurship program.

Free to enter. You must be a resident of Kenya to apply.

Apply here →

🏆 Competition · Writing  ·  Deadline: May 31, 2026

For students who want to write seriously about global affairs, policy, economics, or international relations, and have that work evaluated by a serious editorial team.

The Harvard International Review is one of the oldest and most respected student journals on international affairs. Top submissions are published. The process forces you to write on a real topic with evidence and argument. That skill transfers everywhere.

Free to enter.

Apply here →

📚 Program · Research  ·  Deadline: May 10, 2026

For girls who are curious about research - science, social science, engineering, anything - and want structured support.

You are matched with a research mentor and guided through a real project in a field you choose. The program is designed specifically for girls in secondary school who have not had access to research opportunities before. The admissions are rolling (you can apply for any cohort in advance), but the deadline for the June cohort is May 10.

Apply here →

📚 Program · Leadership  ·  Deadline: Rolling

For students (age 16-19) who think seriously about community, care about where they come from, and want to spend two weeks with students from across Africa, figuring out what actually makes a community work

A 10-day residential short course at UWC East Africa in Arusha, Tanzania, the only United World College in East Africa. UMOJA, meaning 'coming together', uses experiential learning, community engagement, and time in nature to help participants understand the dynamics of community and identify real projects they can take home. June 24 to July 5, 2026.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis: early application is strongly advised.

Apply here →

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