The Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest, organized by the National Eye Institute (NEI), invites teens from across the United States to participate in a creative multimedia challenge. The contest is designed to engage young people in science by encouraging them to showcase how science is a part of their world, in action, and in their future. The purpose of the contest is to spark interest in science, promote creativity, and provide a platform for teens to express their thoughts about the role of science in the world today and in the future. This initiative aligns with NEI's broader mission of supporting research to understand vision processes and develop new treatments for diseases that cause vision loss.
The contest is open to teens nationwide, with the submission period running from January 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST to April 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. The challenge is divided into three categories: "Science in Your World," "Science in Action," and "Science in Your Future – Imagination." Each category has a specific focus, with the first encouraging participants to explore how science impacts their daily lives, the second urging them to demonstrate scientific experiments, and the third encouraging them to imagine the future possibilities of scientific discoveries.
The total cash prize pool for the contest is $6,000, with $2,000 awarded to the winner of each category. These prizes will be paid through electronic funds transfer (EFT), and winners must provide financial institution details. In the case of minors, the prize will be awarded to the parent or legal guardian. If a team is involved, the prize is paid to the primary video team leader, and division of the prize among team members is left to the team's discretion. All winners are expected to comply with tax reporting requirements as outlined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Judging of the contest submissions will begin on April 21, 2025, and conclude on May 16, 2025. Winners will be announced on May 30, 2025. The contest is designed to recognize the creativity and scientific curiosity of young individuals, with cash prizes serving as a reward for their innovative thinking.
The contest will be administered through Challenge.gov, and the specific rules, guidelines, and submission requirements are available on the website. The NEI Director, Dr. Michael F. Chiang, will serve as the Award Approving Official for this contest.
