Science Without Borders Challenge 2026
Science Without Borders Challenge 2026 is now open for entries!
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is excited to announce its 14th Annual Science Without Borders Challenge for 2026, international competition created to get students and teachers interested in ocean conservation through various forms of art.
Short description
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is excited to announce the 14th Annual Science Without Borders Challenge for 2026. This annual contest inspires students to be creative while learning about important ocean conservation issues.
The Science Without Borders Challenge is an international contest that engages students and teachers in ocean conservation through art. This annual competition inspires students to be creative while promoting public awareness of the need to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources, contributing to the overarching goals of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation.
Open to students aged 11-19 from around the world, this competition promotes not only artistic expression but also environmental awareness. It serves as a platform for educating young people on the significance of marine life and the urgent need to protect these vital species.
The theme for 2026, “Microscopic Marine Life” invites students to explore the fascinating world of tiny organisms that play an essential role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. Participants are asked to create original, two-dimensional artwork that communicates the beauty, importance, and vulnerability of microscopic marine life in the ocean environment.
The artwork must be 2D such as a painting or drawing. Acceptable media includes paint, pencil, marker, crayon, ink, felt, and oil pastel. Using magazines, newspapers, or other non-original work is also not permitted. Digitally created artwork, including photographs, are not accepted.
There are no minimum or maximum size requirements for the artwork.
All submissions must be made by an individual artist. Group submissions are not permitted.
Participants may submit only 1 art piece.
Work will be judged in two categories based on age, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded for each:
➜ Students 11-14 years old
➜ Students 15-19 years old
A panel of artists, educators, and scientists judge the Science Without Borders® Challenge. Artwork will be evaluated on the quality of the artwork, originality, and adherence to the theme.
Submission requirements:
➜ Applicants must submit a digital copy of their artwork online. This can either be a scan or high-quality digital photograph of your original artwork.
➜ Image files should be 3 MB – 10 MB in size, and saved in one of the following file formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or PDF.
Who may enter?
The Challenge is open to primary and secondary school students 11-19 years old. Students must be enrolled in primary or secondary school, or the home school equivalent. College and university students are not eligible for this contest.
Prize:
Winners of the Science Without Borders Challenge (11-14 and 15-19) will be awarded with the following scholarships:
➜ 1st Place: $500
➜ 2nd Place: $350
➜ 3rd Place: $200
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation also offers a “People’s Choice” award, where the winners in each age group will receive a $50 scholarship.
Entry fees:
There is no entry fee to participate!
