I’m interested in competitions like Intel and Siemens for college students, preferably those open to freshman and sophomores.
My googling is only coming upon summer fellowships at research sites or competitions like IGEM, but I’m more interested in those that accept and evaluate research in general in the manner that the Intel research competition did.
My focus is molecular biology/biochemistry.
If you intend to go into molecular bio/biochem you should be looking to do research in a lab to gain experience, not do competitions. Researching in a lab on campus is it’s own kind of competition - competition to publish. Publications are their own reward and lead to opportunities for employment and graduate school.
I’m looking for a way to decrease my tuition other than using financial aid.
Then working in a lab as an hourly might be a good option.