Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams vs Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a competition while Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 is a scholarship.
| Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams | Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Competition | Scholarship |
| Organization | Lemelson-MIT Program at MIT | Ron Brown Scholar Program |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 8-10% (based on 8 teams selected annually; suggests 80-100+ applications per year, though exact applicant count not publicly available) | Estimated 5-10% acceptance rate based on prestige tier 1 classification and $40,000 award amount (highly competitive, exact rate unavailable) |
| Applicants | Estimated 80-100+ schools apply annually (extrapolated from 8 selections) | Likely 500-2,000+ applicants annually (specific number not available) |
| Deadline | Rolling | Rolling |
| Award | $7,000 | $40,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school students (9-12) | High school seniors (12th grade, graduating class of 2026) |
| College Impact | Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is viewed very favorably in college admissions, particularly for STEM programs. Selection as an InvenTeam demonstrates: (1) exceptional innovation and problem-solving ability; ... | The Ron Brown Scholar Program is viewed very favorably by college admissions officers and is recognized as a prestigious national scholarship. Winning this scholarship demonstrates: (1) Academic excel... |