Science Without Borders Challenge is an international student art contest from the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation that funds K-12 students ages 11–19 to create original artwork raising awareness of ocean science and conservation. Each annual competition centers on a specific ocean science theme—2026's theme is "Microscopic Marine Life."

Scholarships of up to $500 are awarded to winning entries, with a People's Choice award of $50 per age group. The contest is free to enter and open to primary and secondary school students worldwide. The 2026 deadline was March 2, 2026.

Science without Borders® Challenge – International Student Art Contest Science Without Borders ® Challenge International Student Art Contest Science Without Borders ® Challenge International Student Art Contest Inspiring students to be creative while raising awareness about the need to protect our ocean The Science Without Borders ® Challenge is an international art contest that teaches students about important ocean science and conservation issues.

This annual competition engages students and teachers around the world, inspiring them to be creative while raising 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.

The Challenge is free to enter, open to primary and secondary school students 11-19 years old, and scholarships of up to $500 are awarded to the winning entries. The theme for the 2026 Science without Borders ® Challenge is “Microscopic Marine Life. ” Microscopic marine organisms may be tiny, but they play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our ocean and, by extension, the planet.

To apply for this year’s contest, students should submit artwork that highlights the positive impact of microscopic marine organisms. Artwork should show how these organisms contribute to ocean ecosystems, support marine life, or impact the health of the planet.

Scholarships & People's Choice Award Winners of the Science Without Borders ® Challenge will be awarded the following scholarships: We also offer a “People’s Choice” award, in which the winners in each age group receive a $50 scholarship. Monday, March 2, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern This year's contest is now over. Join us this Fall for the 2027 Science Without Borders® Challenge!

Thank you to the students from around the world who shared their artwork with us for this year’s Science Without Borders ® Challenge . We are deeply grateful for the creativity, effort, and care you put into your artwork. Please note that certificates for eligible participants will be issued after the winners are announced.

We appreciate your patience as we complete the judging process. To apply to the Challenge: Fill out the online entry form; Upload a picture of your artwork; Make sure everything is submitted before the deadline! If you are under the age of 13, your parents will be asked to provide consent, so make sure not to wait until the last minute.

Before applying, check out our Tips for Success for suggestions on how to make the most of your application, such as how to write a compelling artist’s statement that describes how your artwork relates to this year’s theme. This international art competition is open to students 11-19 years old who are enrolled in primary or secondary school, or the home school equivalent.

College and university students are not eligible for this contest. Artwork will be judged in two categories based on age: … with prizes awarded in both age groups. Learn more about the judging process and timeline.

Before beginning your artwork, make sure to review the Contest Rules for more information on the types of art we are looking for. For example, the Science Without Borders ® Challenge only accepts original 2-dimensional pieces of artwork students have created by hand, such as a painting or a drawing.

Also note that although the application process is online, semi-finalists will be required to send us the original artwork in order to be eligible to win. In order to make it easier for teachers to encourage their students to participate in the Science Without Borders ® Challenge , the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has compiled a number of resources to help them do so.

This includes providing information and links to lesson plans to help students learn about the theme, a grading rubric, and handouts they can use in their classrooms. Each Science Without Borders ® Challenge participant must have a teacher or art instructor vouch for their application. We welcome all enthusiastic educators willing to take on the responsibility.

Here are the winning entries from each year of the Challenge, showcasing a diverse range of cultures, perspectives, and artistic styles. These pieces celebrate the beauty of ocean life and demonstrate how art and science can inspire change. Take a moment to explore these remarkable entries—and if you’re feeling inspired, check out this year’s theme and create your own masterpiece!

Hidden Wonders of the Deep Take Action: Conserve Coral Reefs Connected Ocean: No Barriers, No Boundaries, and No Borders How are we all connected to the oceans? Hidden Wonders of the Deep Take Action: Conserve Coral Reefs Connected Ocean: No Barriers, No Boundaries, and No Borders How are we all connected to the oceans?