CREST Awards is a national and international STEM award scheme run by the British Science Association. Launched in 1986, it gives secondary school students a framework to design and carry out their own hands-on science, technology, engineering, or maths projects — and receive formal recognition for that work. Unlike competitions, CREST is non-competitive: any student who meets the criteria for their chosen level receives the award.
Award levels for secondary students:
| Level | Typical Age | Project Hours | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 11+ | ~10 hours | Teacher-assessed, BSA sample moderation |
| Silver | 14+ | ~30 hours | External CREST assessors |
| Gold | 16+ | ~70 hours | External CREST assessors |
How it works:
Students choose their own STEM topic — there is no prescribed subject or question. They design an investigation, carry it out, collect and analyze data, and document their findings. At Bronze level, teachers assess the work internally using CREST criteria. At Silver and Gold, submissions go to an external panel of CREST assessors.
For Silver and Gold, students are encouraged (and for Gold, strongly recommended) to work with a volunteer mentor from academia or industry.
Who participates:
CREST can be run through a school, club, or other organization, or independently at home. Students register at apply.crestawards.org; for Bronze, a teacher or adult must register and assess the project, while for Silver and Gold a student can register and submit their own project, or a teacher or group leader can do so on their behalf. In 2024, over 5,700 international applications were received from countries including Australia, China, India, Italy, USA, and Vietnam.
Fees:
Registration fees cover the award and certificate, and can be paid by a school or, for Silver and Gold, by the student directly. Bronze costs £16/student internationally; Silver £32.50; Gold £55. In Scotland, all CREST Awards are fully free, funded by the James Weir Foundation. UK schools in challenging circumstances can apply for Engage Grants through the BSA's community network.
Recognition:
CREST is promoted by the British Science Association as a way to strengthen UCAS applications, particularly at Gold level.
No deadlines:
Projects can be started and submitted at any point in the academic year. There is no application window or cohort cycle.