THE HARVARD UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH JOURNAL

RESEARCH

COMPETITION 2025

For Middle and High School Students

Priority Registration Deadline
August 15, 2025

Two Formats. One Incredible Opportunity.

You might be interested in original research if:
  • Passionate about conducting independent research
  • Eager to dive deep into a specific academic field
  • Ready to challenge yourself with original scholarly discoveries
Register for Original Research
You might be interested in research proposal if:
  • ⁠Just starting your research journey
  • Want to focus on planning your study instead of writing a research paper
  • Excited to explore research basics, develop your ideas, and craft a thoughtful proposal
Register for Research Proposal

About The Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal

The   Harvard   Undergraduate   Research   Journal   (THURJ)   is   Harvard's   sole  peer-reviewed undergraduate   research   journal.   Founded   in   2007,   THURJ   strives   to   publicize   and   spread recognition of original work by undergraduates in Harvard's undergraduate programs. THURJ showcases   peer-reviewed   undergraduate   student   research   from   all   research   disciplines, including the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities

Learn More

Shine at THURJ Research Competition!

Calling all aspiring young researchers! The Harvard Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ)  Research Competition is your chance to dive into the world of academic research in any  discipline that excites you.

This isn’t just a competition—it’s an opportunity to explore your passions and contribute  meaningful insights to fields you care about. Whether you’re fascinated by natural science,  social science, humanities, or the arts, this is your platform to turn curiosity into impactful research.

Don’t miss the chance to gain hands-on experience and make your mark as a young academic trailblazer!

Why Join THURJ Research Competition?

Stand Out with a Rare Opportunity

Stand out from peers with an academic research experience that few students your age can claim—setting you apart on university applications and beyond

Mentorship from Harvard researchers

All finalist teams will meet with a Harvard researcher to receive guidance and feedback on their papers, giving you a head start on college-level research

Collaborate and Shine

Work with driven peers, present your research, and build confidence in critical thinking and communication to stand out

How does the competition work?

Competition Structure and Details

Team size

1-5 students per team
(all team members must be from the same school)

Categories

Middle School Category

Grade 6 - 8 (Year 7 - 9)

High School Category

Grade 9 - 12 (Year 10 - 13)

What do teams need to do?

Write an original research paper or research proposal in any field of study or discipline

Key dates and deadlines

Registration Deadlines and Participation Fees

Priority Deadline
Deadline: August 15, 2025
Fees: US$125 per student per category
Regular Deadline
Deadline: September 15, 2025
Fees: US$145 per student per category
Late Deadline
Deadline: October 3, 2025
Fees: US$165 per student per category

Fee waiver is available for individual low-income students. Please ask your school counselor or principal to send an email titled 'Fee Waiver Request' to waivers@algoed.co from their official school email with your email address and confirm you need a waiver.

All fee waivers must be requested before the regular deadline.

Competition Format

Preliminary round

Submission deadline: October 4, 2025

Research paper:

  • Written paper in any field of study or discipline including social sciences, STEM, Humanities, etc
  • File format: PDF
  • Font and size: Times New Roman, 12-point font
  • Spacing: Single-column, double-spaced
  • Page limit: 10 pages; references are not counted toward the page limit

Research proposal:

  • Written proposal in any field of study or discipline including social sciences, STEM, Humanities, etc
  • File format: PDF
  • Font and size: Times New Roman, 12-point font
  • Spacing: Single-column, double-spaced
  • Page limit: 5 pages; references are not counted toward the page limit

Final round

Final Round Zoom Live: November 22, 2025
  • 8 finalist teams for each of Middle School Category and High School Category
  • All finalist teams will have the chance to meet with a current Harvard student with robust research experience as a mentor for 20 minutes to receive guidance and feedback on their papers. Teams are expected to improve their research proposal or research paper after meeting their mentor.
  • Each finalist team will present their paper live on Zoom to a panel of judges.

Recognition

All participants will be awarded a certificate of participation. Participants will also receive their scores.
Preliminary Round
Country + Regional Awards
Champion
1st Runner Up
2nd Runner Up
Honor
Merit
Individual Awards
Top participants will receive individual honors, even if their teams may not win any awards.
Team Awards
Teams will be awarded based on the sum of their two highest individual scores.
Note
To qualify for country awards, participants must achieve a score above 70%. In other words, if a country has only one team, and it scores below 70%, no award will be granted.
Final Round
Global Awards
Global Champion
Global 1st Runner Up
Global 2nd Runner Up
Global Finalists
(Globally ranked 4-8)

Join the Challenge

This competition is more than a contest; it’s your gateway to the exciting world of academic research and discovery.

Register now to embark on an inspiring journey of exploring your passions, mastering research skills, and contributing meaningful insights to real-world questions. Dive deep into the topics you care about and showcase your findings like a true scholar.

About

AlgoEd is a platform that hosts curated, prestigious competitions for middle and high school students.

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