The World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest, run by Population Education, challenges middle and high school students to create a 60-second video proposing a sustainable solution to a population-related global issue. Topics rotate annually; the 2026-27 topics are City Planning, Fresh Water Use, and Extreme Weather.
Prizes (per topic):
- High school first place: $1,200
- High school second place: $600
- High school honorable mention: $300 each (2 awarded)
- Middle school first place: $600
- Middle school second place: $300
- Global finalists: $80 (HS) / $50 (MS)
- State-level awards: for videos submitted from U.S. states and territories
- International regional awards: by world region (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean)
2026–27 submission timeline:
- Opens: September 2, 2026
- Submission deadline: March 3, 2027. The detailed rules say 11:59 pm EST; the footer says ET.
These are the current cycle’s dates, rather than a guaranteed annual recurrence.
Students may work individually or in groups of any size; the rules recommend 2–4 students. Videos must be 60 seconds or under and propose a concrete, sustainable solution to the chosen topic. The contest is free to enter and open worldwide.
Checked November 4, 2026 against the official rules. The 60-second limit excludes the required five-second title screen and an optional citation slide. Middle-school students, students under 13 and students outside the United States need the stated parent/guardian consent form; finalists have additional release requirements. Future-cycle dates have not been verified.