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Join America's first high school championship to identify and develop the next generation of AI leaders. No matter your background or level of expertise, if AI and STEM excite you, there's a place for you here.

Aug. 30, 2025 -  Early application deadline
Nov. 10 - Dec 6, 2025 - Apex AI Championship
Apply now →
 
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AI

The first AI competition built for American high school students

Unlike typical science fairs, where you present past research, the Apex AI Challenge puts you in the driver’s seat to grow your skills and solve real AI problems that matter right now.

This isn’t just another academic exercise. It’s your fast-track to the AI industry.

Competition highlights

The first AI competition built for high school students in the U.S.

 
Unlike typical science and math fairs, the Apex AI Championship puts you in the driver’s seat to apply your skills, solve fun STEM and AI challenges, and stand out among your peers.
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What makes this competition unique:

Stand out to colleges

Boost your college application by showcasing your STEM skills

Get expert mentorship

Benefit from a complete ecosystem: events, coaching, training, and career development

Compete for cash prizes

Stand a chance to win your share of $50,000 in total cash prizes

Tackle AI challenges

Solve fun STEM and AI challenges through hands-on, interactive experiences

Led by experts with a decade of competition experience

 
Created by Correlation One, this event is organized by the same experts who’ve helped thousands of students land dream opportunities at the world’s most innovative companies – including SpaceX, Amazon, Meta, Google, Tesla, and Citadel.

Founded in 2015, Correlation One has established itself as the premier organization for identifying, developing, and connecting top data science, STEM, and AI talent with leading employers worldwide.
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150+

data science competitions successfully executed worldwide in partnership with top financial institutions and tech companies

$1.5M

in cash prizes awarded to date

50,000+

students and professionals assessed through our industry-leading technical skills assessment platform

Your step-by-step path to AI excellence

July 28

Registration & online skills assessment

September - October 2025

Take an assessment covering the following topics:

  • Python programming and data manipulation
  • Mathematical reasoning and statistics
  • Algorithm design and computational thinking
  • Data interpretation and visualization

Nov. 1

Open challenge round

November - December 2025

Form a team of 2–3 students and take on open-ended AI and STEM challenges through our virtual platform. You'll engage in:

  • Using AI to solve fun challenges challenges through interactive experiences
  • Collaborating with like-minded peers to solve problems in a friendly, competitive environment
  • Receiving mentorship from industry experts

Dec. 12

Grand finale

December 2025

  • Finalists participate in a one-day problem-solving blitz
  • Winners receive cash prizes, with $25,000 awarded to first place
  • All attendees get to network with competition sponsors and industry professionals

Throughout the competition, you will also benefit from:

Guidance from AI and STEM researchers and engineers
Career panels with industry leaders
Professional development workshops
Prizes and recognition

Compete for a chance to win big

 

Total cash prizes of
$50,000
Including:
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$25,000
1st place
$7,500
2nd place
$5,000
3rd place
$500
4th - 10th place
+$9,000
in additional prizes
 

Beyond cash prizes you will get:

Letters of recommendation from industry leaders for college applications

Recruitment opportunities with participating companies for internships

Alumni network access to previous winners and industry mentors

Media recognition in major publications and industry press

Learn from the leaders shaping AI's future

 
Our mentor network spans the entire AI ecosystem, providing participants with unprecedented access to:

Research Leaders

Principal scientists from the world’s top companies and leading AI labs

Quantitative Finance

Researchers from leading hedge funds and financial institutions

Policy & Ethics

Thought leaders working on AI safety, policy, and societal impact

Academic Excellence

Professors from MIT, Stanford, CMU, and other top computer science programs

Eligibility and how to apply

Open to high school students in the U.S. with AI and STEM interests or ambitions

Who can apply:

  • Students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 in the U.S. who are at least 14 years old
  • Includes public, private, charter, or homeschool students
  • Open to all skill levels—beginners to advanced
  • If you are under the age of 18, you will need permission from your Parent or Legal Guardian to apply and participate
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  • August 1 – October 30, 2025

    • Early, general, and final applications
    • Online registration and profile creation
    • Short application outlining AI / STEM interests and career goals
    • Completion of AI aptitude assessment

  • October 31, 2025

    • Qualifier results

  • November 1–7, 2025

    • Team formation

  • November 10 – December 1, 2025

    • Open challenge round

  • December 6, 2025

    • Grand finale

Correlation One works with leading Fortune 500 businesses and public sector organizations

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Ready to shape the future of AI?

 
Whether you're already passionate about AI or just beginning to explore the field, the Apex AI Challenge provides an unparalleled opportunity to develop your skills, connect with industry leaders, and join a community of peers who share your ambitions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Don't just watch the AI revolution – lead it.

 

During the competition, you can expect to: 

  • Test your algorithm in battle against a series of AI "bosses".
  • Watch your algorithm rise or fall in the live leaderboard as it goes head-to-head with others in matches.
  • Reach the qualifier deadline, after which the top 10 teams on the leaderboard earn an invitation to the grand finale and a chance to win top prizes.
  • See top matches get broadcast with live commentary. The Prize Wheel adds an element of surprise — anyone can walk away with a reward.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

For students

No! While some programming experience is helpful, we welcome students at all levels. We’ll provide guidance on programming and using AI tools to students new to these topics so students from all experience levels can participate.

 Our competition platform supports both Python, Rust, and Java, and all AI tools will be permitted. We’ll provide guidance on programming and using AI tools to students new to these topics so students from all experience levels can participate. Unlike traditional science and math competitions, we emphasize live problem-solving, collaboration, and real-world application. Plus, our industry connections provide direct career opportunities.

The competition has 3 deadlines:

  • Early application: August 30
  • General application: September 30
  • Final application: October 30
Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis after each application round. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to secure your spot. 
 
 The assessment is 20 questions long and you will have 45 minutes to complete it. The assessment will help us understand your current level of experience in several core STEM topics.  Absolutely! Any eligible student can participate in the main competition.

The competition is open to all high school students in the U.S.. There are no educational prerequisites, all levels of experience are welcome to apply.

You must be at least 14 years of age to apply. If you are under the age of 18, you will need permission from your Parent or Legal Guardian to apply and participate.

 You must be at least 14 years of age to apply and participate. If you are under the age of 18, you will need your Parent or Legal Guardian to complete a portion of this form in order for you to legally complete the application and participate in this competition. Yes! We encourage you to apply together with your friends and/or siblings who are in high school.
 If you're interested in spreading the word on this competition to your peers, email us for more information at info@apexaichampionship.com. 

During the qualifying round, how much you spend on the competition is up to you. The competition is done fully asynchronously, so you can work on the competition whenever you like.

We usually recommend spending at least 2 hours during the qualifying round developing creating and refining your solution.

If you qualify for the finale, it will be a full day virtual event.

 Every participant gains access to our training resources, community, and some level of mentorship. Many of our most successful alumni didn't win their first competition but used it as a launching pad for future success.

The Apex AI Challenge is organized by Correlation One in partnership with leading AI companies and research institutions.

Correlation One is an organization that is focused on identifying, training, and connecting top AI and STEM talent with leading employers around the world. Since 2015, we've hosted over 150 competitions globally for students at top universities and colleges.

For questions about the competition, email info@apexaichampionship.com

 No. The competition is entirely free to participants.  The Apex AI Championship is conducted online on Correlation One’s platform, making it accessible to high school students nationwide. During the Open Challenge Round, you will be able to work on the competition at your own pace in your free time.

For school administrators and faculty

Participating gives students direct exposure to real-world problem-solving, insights into various careers, mentorship opportunities, and valuable recognition for college applications. The competition enhances the school’s reputation, provides students with valuable learning experiences, and showcases the school’s commitment to innovation and career readiness. Unlike traditional high school math and science competitions, we emphasize live problem-solving, collaboration, and real-world application. Plus, our industry connections provide direct career opportunities.

The Apex AI Challenge is organized by Correlation One in partnership with leading AI companies and research institutions.

Correlation One is an organization that is focused on identifying, training, and connecting top AI and STEM talent with leading employers around the world. Since 2015, we've hosted over 150 competitions globally for students at top universities and colleges.

For questions about the competition, email info@apexaichampionship.com
AI squad, assemble!
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