Contest Status
Contest Disciplines
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is excited to announce the 15th Annual Science Without Borders® Challenge.
The 2027 theme is “Navigate with Care”. People rely on the ocean for transportation, recreation, commerce, and livelihoods, but the choices made while navigating can also affect marine life and fragile ocean habitats. Safe and responsible navigation can help prevent vessel strikes, groundings, anchor damage, pollution, and other impacts while also promoting safety for people on the water.
The Challenge is open to students worldwide who are 11–19 years old and enrolled in primary or secondary school, or the home-school equivalent. College and university students are not eligible.
To apply for this year’s contest, students should submit artwork showing how people can navigate with care to protect both people and life in the ocean. Artwork should demonstrate how decisions made on the water can protect marine life, conserve fragile ecosystems, promote safety at sea, and help people and nature coexist while safeguarding the ocean for future generations.
Work will be judged in two categories based on age, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded in each:
- Students 11–14 years old
- Students 15–19 years old
Winners of the Science Without Borders® Challenge will receive 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, with a $50 scholarship awarded to the winner in each age group.
New for 2027, each participant must submit two progress photos documenting the creation of their artwork, along with a high-quality image of the completed artwork. The progress photos are used only to verify the originality of the submission and will not be judged, published, displayed, exhibited, or used for promotional purposes. Only the final artwork will be judged.
The Science Without Borders® Challenge is an international contest that engages students and teachers in ocean conservation through art. Each year, it encourages young people to combine creativity with ocean learning while raising awareness of the importance of protecting and restoring the world’s oceans.
No Entry Fee!
It's free to enter.
