We are delighted to announce that due to huge demand, the FoNS Science and Innovation competition will this year run a dedicated international competition for schools and groups wishing to enter outside of the UK. Registration is now open and team submissions can be made here. 

If you are a Team in India, we have developed a India specific competition and you are requested to please enter that competition and please click here for more information.

International FoNS Competition

About the Competition

The International Science & Innovation Competition, which is run by the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College, is open to teams of young people of secondary school age based internationally outside of the UK. We welcome entries not only from schools, but also from community and youth groups.

The purpose of the competition is to motivate young people to engage with science, to encourage them to work together as part of a team and to engage them in a fun activity that is motivated by their curiosity and drive.

How to enter:

Teams will be asked to develop a new and innovative scientific solution to help achieve one of the United Nation’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development. To enter, teams will be asked to create a 5-minute film that:

- Briefly outlines the goal they have selected

- Describes their innovative solution

- Explains the science behind their idea

- Illustrates how their idea would address the goal.

Initial entries will be judged by our team at Imperial College London and finalists will be selected and invited to participate in the finals at Imperial College

Examples of previous video entries:

Team Naturoworld (16 - 19 finalists [22/23])

Oxford International College (16 - 19 winners [22/23])

Bromsgrove Wookies (16 - 19 finalists [23/24])

Competition categories:

The competition is open to Internationally based teams outside of the UK, in the following age groups and we welcome teams and groups not only from schools, but from community groups such as youth centres, the scouting movement, Girl guides, charitable organisations etc.

  • 11 – 14 years old: This category is open to teams of young people.
  • 14 – 16 years old: This category is open to teams of young people.
  • 16 – 19 years old: This category is open to teams of young people.
Sustainable development goals

Learn more

Learn more about the competition, and the teams that have taken part to date in our Schools Science Competition Impact Report.

Competition timings:

The competition opens in September and teams must be pre-registered by Friday 31st January and must then submit their formal entry to the competition by Friday 28th February.  Entries are shortlisted and successful teams notified at the beginning of April, with the final event taking place in late June at Imperial College’s main campus in South Kensington, to coincide with Imperial's Open days (date to be confirmed). Finalists will be able to compete either in person or online via Zoom/Teams.

How to enter

Teams must consist of 2 - 4 individuals, with a teacher, group leader or other responsible adult acting as a mentor and point of contact.

Mixed age group teams are welcome and can be entered into either by entering the category matching the oldest member of the team.

Terms of entry

The competition is open to schools and groups outside the UK. If you have any questions please contact fonsschoolscompetition@imperial.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.