Science Without Borders® Challenge
International Student Art Contest
Science Without Borders® Challenge
International Student Art Contest
About the 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.
This Year's Theme
Navigate with Care
The theme for the 2027 Science without Borders® Challenge is “Navigate with Care.”
This year, we invite you to create artwork that explores how mariners can help protect both people and life in the ocean by navigating safely and responsibly. To enter the contest, submit artwork that shows how people can Navigate with Care to protect both people and life in the oceans. Your artwork should show how the decisions people make on the water can protect marine life, conserve fragile ecosystems, and promote safety at sea. Through your art, demonstrate how responsible navigation helps people and nature coexist while safeguarding our ocean for future generations.
Awards & Prizes
Scholarships & People's Choice Award
Winners of the Science Without Borders® Challenge will be awarded the following scholarships:
- 1st Place: $500
- 2nd Place: $350
- 3rd Place: $200
We also offer a “People’s Choice” award, in which the winners in each age group receive a $50 scholarship.
Entry Deadline
Monday, March 1, 2027 at 11:59 pm Eastern
How to Apply
To apply to the Challenge:
- Fill out the online entry form;
- Upload a picture of your artwork;
- NEW THIS YEAR: Upload two photos of yourself creating your artwork at different stages. These photos help us verify that the artwork is your own and not AI-generated.
- 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.
Contest Eligibility
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:
- 11-14 age group
- 15-19 age group
… with prizes awarded in both age groups. Learn more about the judging process and timeline.
Contest Rules
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.
For Teachers
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.
PaST WINNERS
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!
