The S.-T. Yau High School Science Award (referred to as the “Yau Award”) is one of the most prestigious science competitions for high school students of Chinese descent around the world. Known for its high academic value and international reputation, the competition continues to attract top-tier young scholars each year.

For the 2025 cycle, registration is now open for both the Mainland China and Asia regional divisions. The North America division is expected to announce its schedule soon. For students eager to showcase their scientific talents, now is the time to start preparing.

1. About the Yau Award & Its Significance

Founded in 2008 by renowned mathematician Professor Shing-Tung Yau, the competition is hosted by Tsinghua University and organized by the Yau Mathematical Sciences Center. It is listed in the official competition whitelist by China’s Ministry of Education for the academic years 2022–2025.

The Yau Award welcomes high school students from around the globe and spans six major disciplines:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Computer Science
• Economic and Financial Modeling

Unlike traditional exams, the Yau Award emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and original research, requiring students to submit a research paper in lieu of standardized test answers. It aims to foster scientific passion, sharpen students’ creativity, and identify future leaders in science.

2. 2025 Regional Registration & Timeline Overview

(1) Mainland China Division

Registration for the Mainland China division opened on April 15, 2025, and is currently ongoing. All six subject areas have online registration available.

Key Dates:

• Registration Period: April 15 – July 31 (3.5 months for preparation and submission)
• Research Paper Submission: August 1 – September 15 (revisions allowed during the period)
• Preliminary Review: From September 16
• Regional Evaluation: October 1 – November 3 (divided into Southern and Northern regions, with a separate Eastern region for Mathematics)
• Finalist Announcement: November 4–10
• Global Finals & Awards Ceremony: December 6–7, held at Tsinghua University
• Science Forum: December 7

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(2) Asia Division

The Asia division began accepting applications in February 2025, with a compact and clear timeline.

Key Dates:

• February: Registration opens
• June 12: Registration deadline
• June 16: Research proposal deadline
• Late June: Proposal review by judging panel
• July: Initial results released
• August 14: Final research paper deadline
• Late August: Full paper review and evaluation
• September: Results announcement
• October/November: Oral defense and final results
• December: Global Finals

(3) North America Division

While the North America schedule has not yet been announced, based on previous years (e.g., 2024), registration is likely to open in early June.

The timeline is tight but streamlined, with only about two months from registration to paper submission, making early preparation essential.

3. Eligibility & Preparation Tips

(1) Eligibility Requirements

• Asia Division: Open to high school students studying in Asia outside Mainland China. There are no restrictions on nationality or ethnicity, but participants will be grouped by region.
• Mainland China Students: Must compete in the Mainland division.
• North America (U.S.) Students: Chinese-American students should apply to the North America division.
• Team Rules: Teams may consist of 1 to 3 students from the same school, supervised by 1 academic advisor (either a high school or university instructor). Students may apply for multiple disciplines but may only submit one project per category. Changes to team members are generally not allowed after registration closes.
• Submission Materials:
  • Research paper (PDF format)
  • Academic integrity statement
  • Advisor information form
  • Plagiarism check report
  • Papers may be submitted in Chinese or English. Chinese papers must include an English abstract. For teams advancing to the third round or beyond, an English version of the full paper is required.

(2) Preparation Tips

• Choose Your Topic Early: Select a research topic that aligns with your interest and has competitive potential. Ideally, finalize your topic by March to ensure enough time for in-depth research and refinement.
• Plan Your Timeline: With tight deadlines, especially in the Asia and North America divisions, it’s important to draft a clear project schedule.
• Strengthen Team Collaboration: Since the Yau Award values teamwork, divide responsibilities wisely and leverage each member’s strengths.
• Focus on English Skills: Since the final round requires an English-written paper and oral defense, start improving your academic writing and speaking skills early on.

4. Prestige & Benefits of the Yau Award

Since its founding, the Yau Award has become a highly regarded platform for scientific innovation among Chinese-speaking high school students worldwide.

The competition not only fuels students’ interest in scientific research, but also nurtures talent for top global universities. In fact, more than half of award-winning participants have gone on to pursue degrees at Tsinghua, Peking University, Harvard, MIT, and other world-class institutions.

For students, the Yau Award is more than a contest — it’s a transformative experience that offers the chance to grow academically, collaborate globally, and stand out in elite college applications.

As the 2025 Yau Award registration for Mainland China and Asia divisions is now live, and with North America’s schedule on the horizon, there's no time to waste for aspiring young researchers. With its high standards and international prestige, the Yau Award offers a unique platform to showcase your scientific achievements and connect with top student researchers from around the world.