DARPA Prize Competitions

DARPA Prize Competitions are open innovation challenges run by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to spur breakthrough technologies in areas like robotics, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, AI, biotech, and space. Rather than a single recurring contest, DARPA periodically launches different prize challenges, each with its own technical focus, rules, and prize pool—often in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Most DARPA prize challenges are open to a broad range of participants, including companies, academic groups, and independent teams. While there is no dedicated high school–only division, highly capable high school students sometimes participate as part of larger teams (for example, with a school, university lab, nonprofit, or company) if they meet the specific eligibility and legal requirements of a given challenge. These competitions offer participants the chance to work on real-world national security and engineering problems, gain experience in advanced research and development, and potentially earn substantial prize funding. Interested students should monitor the official challenges website and carefully review eligibility criteria for each competition.

How much does DARPA Prize Competitions cost?

We have not verified what DARPA Prize Competitions costs. Our catalog holds no confirmed price for it, and an unpriced entry means exactly that — unpriced, not free. Check the official site before assuming either way.

Who is eligible for DARPA Prize Competitions?

Our catalog has DARPA Prize Competitions open to high school students in grades 9–12, unconfirmed against the program's own page — check it before you rule yourself in or out, since eligibility is often narrower than a grade range suggests (age floors, "must have completed" rules, enrolment status).

Is DARPA Prize Competitions online or in person?

DARPA Prize Competitions is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components.

How do I apply to DARPA Prize Competitions?

Apply directly through Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)'s official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.