The project focuses on two forms of science competitions for high school pupils in Sweden during the period 1958-1989. The aim of the project is to analyze the role of the competitions in fostering scientific elites in the tension between democratic and meritocratic goals of schooling, between high school science and the scientific community, but also with regards to the shifting ideological contexts in which such a fostering was given meaning. The two forms of competition are 1) Utställningen Unga Forskare (1963-) and 2) Kemiolympiaden/Skolornas Fysiktävling (1974-1976). Three analytical levels will be used which all have separate goals and questions. A first level is conceptually oriented and deals with the shifting motives for organizing the contests. A second level is practice oriented and focuses on the participation of different students within these contests. A third level is system oriented and focuses on the institutional character of the competitions. The project is planned for three years (2019-2021) and is to be carried out through the studies of written material found in archives, journals, leaflets and memorabilia. The project is expected to contribute with new knowledge on the importance of other platforms than traditionally highlighted spaces in the reproduction of scientific elites. It is also expected to give new insights into the image of Swedish educational politics during the latter half of the 20th century.