Genetics Competitions for High School Students
EC Finder currently lists 11 genetics competitions for high school students. Of these, 5 are free to participate in and 3 offer virtual participation. Examples include Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair (ACSEF), ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest, and Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge.
- 11
- listed
- 5
- free
- 3
- virtual
- 11
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are genetics competitions for high school students?
- Genetics Competitions for High School Students are curated extracurricular listings for high school students interested in genetics. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- Are any of these competitions free?
- Yes — 5 of the 11 competitions listed here are free to participate in.
- Can I participate virtually?
- Yes — 3 of the 11 competitions listed here offer virtual or online participation.
- Are genetics competitions good for a college application?
- Yes — genetics competitions are a common way for high schoolers to show sustained interest and initiative in genetics on college applications.
11 activities found·Browse by category
Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair (ACSEF)
If you live in Alameda county, this is your regional fair. Essential for qualifying for state/national genetics competitions.
ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest
Annual essay contest by the American Society of Human Genetics. 2025 Question asks about the challenges of genetic privacy.
Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge
The most rigorous biotechnology project competition. You must have original research (e.g., from a science fair project) to enter.
Delaware BioGENEius Challenge
A state-affiliate biotechnology research competition run by the Delaware Biotechnology Institute at the University of Delaware, feeding into the International BioGENEius Challenge with original biotech/genetics research.
Genes in Space
Design a DNA experiment (PCR, etc.) to be performed on the International Space Station. Winners get their experiment launched to space.
Golden Gate STEM Fair (GGSF)
The ISEF-affiliated fair for the SF Bay Area. You must enter the "Biological Sciences" category with a genetics project.
iGEM High School Division
International synthetic biology competition where high school teams design, build, and test genetically engineered systems using standard biological parts.
International BioGENEius Challenge
The most prestigious high school biotech research competition, entered via 13 state partner competitions or an At-Large virtual track with original research in drug discovery, genetic engineering, or environmental sustainability.
ProjectCSGIRLS (Bioinformatics)
While CS focused, many winning projects use code to solve genetics problems (Bioinformatics). Open to 8th-12th grade (Select tracks).
USA Biology Olympiad (USABO)
A pure exam competition. 25% of the exam is Genetics & Evolution. Requires registration through your school.
USA Biolympiad (USABO)
The premier US high school biology olympiad, genetics-heavy, run by the Center for Excellence in Education, progressing from an online Open Exam through a semifinal to 20 finalists at a residential national finals, selecting the US team for IBO.
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.