Awarding STEM ideas
The Big Bang Competition is open to young people aged 11 to 18. They can be in state-funded secondary education or home educated or enter as part of a community group.
Young people attending independent or private schools, colleges or sixth forms are not eligible to enter The Big Bang Competition 2026/27. However, to support state-funded schools, joint entries can be submitted. Teams can comprise an equal number of independent school/partner state school students, via the state school entry.
Please make sure you are eligible to enter The Competition before you start your entry. Have a look at our rules and eligibility for more details.
The Big Bang Competition is now open for entries! Submit your project until Friday 12 March 2027 at 4pm.
Key information
Find everything you need to know about entering The Big Bang Competition, including the rules and eligibility criteria, assessment criteria, and advice on how to present your project entry.
Key dates
Entry deadline: 12 March 2027 at 4pm
This date is final and we can't offer extensions. If you need to make a change, you can edit your entry after submitting, up until the deadline.
Finalist announcement: 20 April 2027
All entrants will get an email sharing the status of your project and if you're a finalist.
Video call judging: 28 April to 6 May 2027
Over a week, the finalists for all awards will be invited to further judging over a Microsoft Teams video call with a panel of friendly judges. If you're a finalist for an award, The Competition team will be in touch to arrange dates and times for these calls.
Project showcase: taking place at The Big Bang Fair in June 2027
Select finalists will be invited to showcase their project at The Big Bang Fair. Finalists will be notified from 20 April if your project has been selected to showcase at The Big Bang Fair. Due to space, we can't invite everyone. Any finalists not initially selected to showcase can join a waitlist. Once space opens up at the showcase, we'll be in touch.
Winners announced: At The Big Bang Competition Awards Ceremony, taking place at The Big Bang Fair in June 2027
I enjoyed the opportunity to work with my friend together on something science-related. Also, doing something STEM outside the class room gave me a sense of self fulfilment and possibly made me enjoy science more as I wasn't doing it out of obligation, but of interest.
— Participant of The Big Bang Competition
81%
of students said entering The Competition made them want to do more STEM activities
20+
winning projects from The Big Bang Competition 2026
58%
of 2026 Competition winners were girls
12
UK regions celebrated through Competition award winners in 2026
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