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    Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

    by Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)

    A research competition where students submit original STEM investigations and may advance from regional symposia to national oral or poster presentations.

    Last verified: 9 Sept 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

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    Junior Science Symposium at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Open now

    Eligibility

    U.S. citizens or permanent residents

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Global

    Cost

    Free

    Prize highlight

    Up to $12,000 scholarship

    Entry format

    Research paper; oral or poster

    Deadline

    Rolling

    Start your entry checklist

    Junior Science Symposium summary

    Students enter an original STEM research investigation through their regional symposium. Written work is reviewed before selected researchers present to judges.

    Projects can cover eight broad disciplines, from biomedical science and engineering to mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and physics.

    It suits students who already have a substantive research project and want expert feedback, formal presentation experience, and a route to national competition.

    What is Junior Science and Humanities Symposium?

    The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is a Department of War-sponsored STEM research competition administered by the National Science Teaching Association. Students submit original laboratory, field, or applied research for regional review across eight scientific and engineering disciplines.

    Selected students present at a regional symposium in an oral or poster competition. Leading regional finalists progress to the National Symposium, where they communicate their work to judges and STEM professionals.

    Why Succeed highlights Junior Science Symposium

    • It evaluates completed original research rather than a short classroom-style task.

    • The regional-to-national pathway gives strong projects more than one level of expert review.

    • Students gain experience explaining methods, results, and conclusions to professional researchers.

    • Eight disciplines accommodate research across science, mathematics, computing, engineering, and health.

    • The rules provide unusually detailed guidance on integrity, written reports, and presentations.

    Who is Junior Science Symposium for?

    Best for

    High school researchers with a completed, original STEM investigation who can explain their individual contribution and defend their methods and conclusions.

    Not ideal if

    You only have a demonstration, literature review, informational project, or an early idea without completed research results.

    Is Junior Science Symposium worth it?

    For a student with completed research, this is a strong opportunity to test both scientific reasoning and communication. Regional judging, professional interaction, and possible national progression can provide meaningful feedback and evidence of sustained subject engagement.

    The main limitation is the workload: applicants need more than an interesting idea, and requirements can differ by region. Recognition is competitive, so the lasting value should also come from the research, writing, and presentation experience.

    How much preparation does Junior Science Symposium need?

    Effort level

    High

    Best started

    Several months before the regional deadline, ideally when the research investigation begins.

    Main challenge

    Converting technical work into a clear, defensible written and spoken explanation.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose a focused research problem and document your personal contribution throughout the investigation.

    • Confirm ethical approvals and supervision before beginning animal or human-subject research.

    • Allow time to draft the abstract, format the paper, and complete the outside-assistance statement.

    • Practice presenting to a non-specialist audience and answering questions within the published time limit.

    Useful if

    You have access to appropriate supervision for regulated research.

    What do students do on Junior Science Symposium?

    You complete an original STEM investigation, document it in the required written formats, and enter through your regional symposium. If selected, you communicate the research through an oral or poster presentation.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Find the regional symposium determined by your school address or residence.

    2. 2

      Complete an eligible original laboratory, field, or applied research investigation.

    3. 3

      Prepare a maximum 250-word abstract and any research paper required by the region.

    4. 4

      Complete the current Statement of Outside Assistance and disclose relevant support or AI use.

    5. 5

      Upload all required materials through the region's Ideal-Logic registration process.

    6. 6

      If selected, present the project in the assigned regional oral or poster competition.

    7. 7

      If you place among the top regional finalists, progress to the National Symposium.

    Junior Science Symposium dates and deadlines

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Date not confirmed

    Registration opens

    October 2026-January 2027

    The exact opening and deadline vary by region.

    Upcoming

    Regional symposia

    January-February 2027

    Selected students compete through their region.

    Upcoming

    National Symposium

    April 2027

    The 64th National JSHS takes place in spring 2027.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Enrolled in U.S. Grades 9-12

    • U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

    • American Samoa legal permanent residents are eligible

    • Compete in one regional symposium only

    • Enter one project per competition year

    • Research completed within the preceding calendar year

    • One designated presenter for team research

    • Original laboratory, field, or applied research only

    How much does Junior Science Symposium cost?

    Student registration

    Free — No registration cost for student participants.

    Potential funding / awards

    • Regional scholarships: $1,000-$2,000 — Awarded to the top three regional finalists.
    • National scholarships: $4,000-$12,000 — Awarded to top oral finalists in each category.
    • National poster awards: $350-$550 — Cash awards for top poster finalists in each category.

    What's included

    Regional STEM activities, Presentation opportunities with peers and professionals, Laboratory tours, speakers, and career activities, Public recognition and certificates

    How to enter Junior Science Symposium

    1. 1

      Use the regional directory to identify the symposium for your school or residence.

    2. 2

      Open that region's registration link and review its specific requirements and deadline.

    3. 3

      Prepare the completed research abstract, any required paper, and the current SOA form.

    4. 4

      Upload all application materials through Ideal-Logic by the regional submission deadline.

    5. 5

      Follow any additional regional instructions for supplementary information or presentation selection.

    Save this competition in Succeed, keep the deadline visible, and track your progress before you submit.

    Start your entry checklist

    Submission requirements

    The written report requirements begin with a compulsory abstract, while the timing of the full paper varies by region.

    • Maximum 250-word abstract

    • Abstract includes hypothesis and conclusions

    • Microsoft Word abstract unless otherwise specified

    • One-inch margins and 11-point Arial abstract

    • APA-style research paper when required

    • Research paper of 5-20 pages

    • Current Statement of Outside Assistance

    • AI use disclosed in project documentation

    • Original work with properly cited sources

    Prizes and recognition

    Regional 1st Place

    An undergraduate tuition scholarship is awarded in each region.

    Regional 2nd Place

    An undergraduate tuition scholarship is awarded in each region.

    Regional 3rd Place

    An undergraduate tuition scholarship is awarded in each region.

    National oral 1st

    A tuition scholarship is awarded in each of eight categories.

    National oral 2nd

    A tuition scholarship is awarded in each of eight categories.

    National oral 3rd

    A tuition scholarship is awarded in each of eight categories.

    National poster 1st

    A cash award is presented in each of eight categories.

    National poster 2nd

    A cash award is presented in each of eight categories.

    National poster 3rd

    A cash award is presented in each of eight categories.

    What this may help with

    Demonstrating research depth, scientific communication, and competitive recognition.

    What it does not guarantee

    College admission, national advancement, or an award.

    Judging criteria

    • Statement and identification of the research problem
    • Scientific thought, creativity, innovation, and appropriate duration
    • Research or engineering design and procedures
    • Logical conclusions relevant to the research problem
    • Recognition of the student's contribution to the field
    • Skill in communicating results
    • References clearly stated

    Detailed rubrics are published separately; no percentage weighting is stated in the core criteria.

    How to stand out

    1. Define a precise research problem and show how every method addresses it.
    2. Make your individual contribution unmistakable, especially when the research involved a team or laboratory.
    3. Connect each conclusion directly to your results and acknowledge the investigation's limitations.
    4. Use clean graphs and tables that communicate the most important evidence quickly.
    5. Explain technical language for non-specialists without oversimplifying the scientific reasoning.
    6. Practice concise answers about methods, originality, outside assistance, and any disclosed AI use.

    Junior Science Symposium FAQs

    The eight categories are Environmental Science, Biomedical Sciences, Life and Behavioral Sciences, Medicine and Health, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Physical Sciences, and Chemistry.

    Yes. The team must choose one leader to register and present, and the presentation must acknowledge every contributor's role.

    No. JSHS expects original laboratory, field, or applied research; demonstrations, library research, literature reviews, and informational projects are not appropriate.

    No sponsorship is required. However, regulated research needs appropriate supervision, and a teacher, mentor, or parent must complete relevant sections of the outside-assistance form.

    A regional panel reviews written submissions and selects students for that region's oral or poster competition.

    The top two regional finalists enter the national oral competition, while third through fifth place enter the national poster competition. Their National Symposium expenses are paid.

    Yes, but you must present significant new research and explain changes to the methods, variables, analysis, or experimentation.

    AI may support limited tasks such as concept clarification, coding help, or editing when disclosed. It cannot author the abstract, substantial paper sections, conclusions, or work presented as the student's own.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • National Registration - Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
    • Awards - Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
    • Program Benefits - Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
    • Rules & Categories - Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
    • Find Your Region - Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
    • 63rd National JSHS Abstract Book - Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
    • 2026–2027 Statement of Outside Assistance
    • 2026–2027 JSHS Core Rules of Competition
    • Student STEM Competitions - Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Sept 2026)

    • Official rules checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Regional process verified

    • Submission formats checked

    • Awards verified

    • AI policy reviewed

    • Event schedule checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current submission instructions before entering.