The 2025 Yau Science Awards results have officially been released, drawing renewed attention from students, parents, and educators worldwide. As one of the most prestigious research competitions for secondary school students in Asia, the Yau Science Awards are widely regarded as a benchmark for academic rigor, originality, and future research potential.

In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of what the Yau Science Awards are, their academic value, competition structure, and practical preparation advice for aspiring participants.

What Are the Yau Science Awards?

To understand the significance of the Yau Science Awards, it is essential to begin with their founder, Professor Shing-Tung Yau.

Professor Yau is the first Chinese mathematician to receive the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics, and the second Chinese mathematician—after Professor Shiing-Shen Chern—to be awarded the Wolf Prize in Mathematics. Born in 1949 in Shantou, Guangdong Province, he later moved to Hong Kong and entered the Department of Mathematics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1966.

In 1971, at the age of just 22, Professor Yau earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. His first major academic breakthrough came from solving the Calabi Conjecture, one of the most significant open problems in differential geometry, which quickly established his international reputation.

Professor Yau’s research has profoundly influenced differential equations, complex analysis, and algebraic geometry, leading to a series of landmark achievements. In recognition of these contributions, he was awarded the Fields Medal in 1982.

Beyond his mathematical accomplishments, Professor Yau is also known for his deep humanistic perspective. He has often emphasized the connection between mathematics and literature, noting that both scientists and writers face a shared challenge: developing a unique perception of nature and articulating it clearly. In his essay Mathematics and the Humanities, he wrote that the best mathematicians should receive humanistic training, drawing inspiration from the richness of life and nature to perfect scientific understanding.

It is this interdisciplinary vision and long-term commitment to talent development that ultimately inspired Professor Yau to establish the Yau Science Awards for secondary school students.

History and Evolution of the Yau Science Awards

The Yau Science Awards have steadily expanded in scope and influence over the years:

• 2008: The Yau High School Mathematics Award was established
• 2013: Physics was introduced, and the competition was renamed the Yau Science Awards
• 2016: Chemistry and Biology categories were added, along with a comprehensive interdisciplinary prize—the Science Gold Award
• Recent Years: The competition now includes six major disciplines: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, and Economic & Financial Modeling

From a single mathematics competition to a multidisciplinary research platform, the Yau Science Awards have grown into one of the most influential high school research competitions in Asia, attracting thousands of student teams globally each year.

Awards Structure and Eligibility

The competition is open to students in Grades 9–12 worldwide, though participation in Mainland China is limited to high school students only. Students may compete individually or in teams of one to three students from the same school, under the supervision of one or two faculty advisors.

Award Categories

The Yau Science Awards cover the following core disciplines:

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

Each discipline awards:

• 1 Gold Award – RMB 50,000 per team
• 1 Silver Award – RMB 30,000 per team
• 3 Bronze Awards – RMB 10,000 per team
• 5 Honorable Mentions – RMB 5,000 per team

Winning teams also receive official trophies and certificates. In addition, one Science Gold Award (interdisciplinary) is granted annually, with a prize of RMB 50,000.

The final number of awards conferred each year is determined by the International Judging Committee, based on project quality and oral defense performance. To encourage greater female participation in mathematics, a special Noether Mathematics Award is also presented.

Competition Regions

Mainland China Division

Eligible participants: High school students enrolled in Mainland China
Official registration website: www.yau-awards.com

Mathematics

• Northern Division: Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hubei, Henan, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai
• Southern Division: Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, Chongqing, Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui
• Eastern Division: Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanghai

Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Economic & Financial Modeling

• Northern Division: Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shanxi, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Henan, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai
• Southern Division: Zhejiang, Shanghai, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, Chongqing, Fujian, Jiangxi

Overseas Divisions

• Asia Division (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan):
  https://yauaward-asia.hk
• North America & Other Regions:
  http://www.yau-science-awards.org

Competition Format and Timeline

Unlike traditional academic competitions, the Yau Science Awards are research-based rather than exam-based.

• Core Requirement: Submission of a complete research paper, including abstract, methodology, analysis, and references
• Rigorous Review Process: International peer review conducted by leading scholars
• Final Round: Closed-door, in-person academic defense and discussion

Key Dates for the 2025 Mainland China Division

• April 15 – July 31: Registration
• August 1 – September 15: Research paper submission or revision
• October 1 – November 3: Regional judging
• December 6 – December 7: Global Final and Award Ceremony

Note: The Noether Mathematics Award follows a separate schedule, with registration from September 22 to October 8 and finals held on October 25–26.

Academic Value and Prestige

The Yau Science Awards are widely recognized for their exceptional academic credibility:

• Strong recognition by top universities: More than half of award recipients are recommended to institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Harvard University, and MIT
• Comprehensive research training: Students experience the full research cycle, from topic selection to academic writing and oral defense
• Strict academic integrity standards: Proper citation and zero tolerance for plagiarism prepare students for future academic careers
• International academic exposure: Finalists engage directly with professors from leading universities worldwide

Professor Yau has stated that the awards aim to build meaningful connections among students, teachers, and internationally renowned scientists, while fostering creativity and sustained interest in fundamental sciences.

Preparation Strategies for Students

Preparing for the Yau Science Awards requires long-term planning and disciplined execution:

• Select a research topic early (ideally 3–6 months in advance), balancing personal interest, originality, and feasibility
• Emphasize the research process, not just final results; methodological rigor and data reliability are essential
• Study past winning projects to understand strong research design and academic writing standards
• Strictly follow academic conventions, particularly in citations and formatting
• Plan team collaboration carefully, with clear division of responsibilities
• Manage time effectively, balancing academic coursework and research commitments

With thoughtful preparation and genuine intellectual curiosity, the Yau Science Awards can become a transformative milestone in a student’s academic journey.