With an eye clearly focused on future scientific leaders, the National Eye Institute (NEI) is again inviting teens in grades nine through 12 to submit their best videos for the 2024 Eye on the Future teen video contest. Now in its third year, the contest is open to high school students and encourages the next generation of scientists to share why science is essential in today’s world. The deadline to submit videos is April 14, 2024.

NEI encourages high school students from all backgrounds to participate. Bonus scoring points will be awarded to videos that are eye health or vision science related or focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA).

Over the past two years, NEI has received more than 100 submissions to its Eye on the Future teen video contest and is excited to hear about the next generation of scientists’ creative ideas, passions and contributions. Not every submission wins, but NEI still acknowledges all students who have shared their videos and love for science.

Rules for this year’s Eye on the Future teens video contest are below:

  • Videos must be between 30 seconds and three minutes long (excluding credits).

  • Students can work on their own or team up with a couple of friends—if working in a group, include up to three people maximum and designate one person to be the group leader.
Be sure to submit a signed video release and registration form, for an individual submission or a group submission, with the video.

 
 
There are three video contest categories for video submissions. For each category, NEI will choose a first-place winner who will receive $2,000 in cash. NEI will also cover the cost for winners and a parent or guardian to come to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Md., for a day of science, networking and fun.

The video categories for the contest include:

  • Science in your world. What does science mean to you and how does it play a role in some aspect of your life?

  • Science in the field or lab. Share some science you’ve learned by doing a demo or teaching viewers about its importance.

  • Science in your future. Describe how science or science outcomes will affect the future—and what role science will play in people’s lives.
 
After creating the video, students should upload their video to YouTube and set the visibility to “unlisted.” Send the link to 2020@nei.nih.gov along with the following required forms by April 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET:

  • Video release

  • The appropriate registration form (for individual submissions or group submissions)
NEI judges will review all submissions to make sure they follow contest rules. Each video will then be scored using the following guidelines: scientific context and accuracy; relevance; engaging to the audience; and creativity.