NEI launches video contest to inspire teens to explore science

The fourth annual Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest inspires high school students from all backgrounds to explore science. Students in grades 9-12 nationwide are invited to submit a short video communicating science in their world, science in action, or science in their future. A panel of judges will select one winner from each category to receive $2,000 and a free trip to visit the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland.

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The Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest encourages U.S. high school students from all backgrounds to explore science.

"NEI's mission is to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research," said NEI Director Michael F. Chiang, M.D. "Our success depends on inspiring a new generation of talented and diverse scientists. Through NEI's Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest, we are giving young people a chance to share something that excites them about science and winners a chance to learn more about scientific careers."

How To Participate

All students in grades 9-12 in the United States or its territories are invited to participate. Students may work on their own or with a group of up to three people. Videos must be between 30 seconds and three minutes long, excluding credits, and respond to one of the contest categories below. Entries can be submitted between January 13, 2025, at 9 a.m. EST through April 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Contest Categories Overview

Category 1: Science in your world-Curiosity
Teach us about a discovery that impacts your life or the ways you see science currently making a difference in it.

Category 2: Science in action-Demonstration
Show us some science in action by demonstrating an experiment.

Category 3: Science in your future-Imagination
Describe how science will affect the future or teach us about the way a current discovery will impact our future.

Judging

NEI judges will review all submissions to make sure they follow the contest rules. The judges will then evaluate each video on scientific context, accuracy, relevance, engagement, and creativity. Bonus points will be awarded to videos related to eye health or vision science.

Prizes

• For each of the three categories for submissions, the first-place winner will receive $2,000 cash.
• Winners and a parent or legal guardian will also receive a free trip to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 18, 2025, for a day of science, networking, and fun.
• For group winners, the prize money will be divided among the team. NEI may limit visitors to the NIH campus to one group leader and an adult companion.

For more information and the complete list of rules and eligibility requirements, visit https://go.nih.gov/EOTF.

NEI leads the federal government's efforts to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research…driving innovation, fostering collaboration, expanding the vision workforce, and educating the public and key stakeholders. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs to develop sight-saving treatments and to broaden opportunities for people with vision impairment. For more information, visit https://www.nei.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit https://www.nih.gov/.

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