Schools Can Win $1M to Make Kids Fitness Fun Again

Schools across America now have a shot at winning up to $1 million for creative approaches to student fitness at a time when kids are moving less than ever.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched the Presidential Fitness School Innovation Challenge on October 1, opening $10 million in prizes to schools, districts, and youth organizations nationwide. The program aims to reverse a troubling trend: only 25% of high school students get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

Two prize tracks give schools different ways to participate. The first offers cash awards from $20,000 to $1 million for schools that have already tested innovative fitness programs and can show real results. The second provides equipment vouchers worth $1,000 to $5,000 for schools focused on participation and building their fitness infrastructure.

Schools have until February 5, 2027 to submit their entries, giving them about four months to implement programs and gather results. Winners will be announced in spring 2027, with complete rules available on Fitness.gov.

The numbers behind the challenge paint a clear picture of why action is needed. Between 2015 and 2025, daily physical activity among high school students declined, along with muscle-strengthening exercise and PE class attendance. The gap is especially wide by gender, with 32% of boys meeting activity guidelines compared to just 18% of girls.

About 1 in 5 American children and teens have obesity, with rates much higher among lower-income families. While obesity has many causes beyond exercise, including diet and sleep, getting kids moving is a proven piece of the solution.

Federal health officials designed the revived fitness test to build confidence rather than shame. "Fitness should be about more than a score," said Dr. Brian Christine, HHS assistant secretary for health. "It should be about helping young people discover what they are capable of, setting goals, working hard, and coming back stronger."

The Ripple Effect

Beyond individual schools, this challenge could reshape how America thinks about student fitness. The largest prizes reward schools that share their successful strategies, creating a blueprint other districts can follow. Equipment vouchers help under-resourced schools level the playing field, ensuring more kids get access to quality fitness programs regardless of zip code.

Parents can get involved by asking their school if it plans to compete and how it will protect student privacy and self-esteem during testing. Families with children who have health conditions should consult their doctor before any strenuous fitness testing begins.

The challenge gives schools a real financial incentive to prioritize movement at a time when budgets are tight and PE programs often get cut first.