Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS)

Location:

Held regionally across the U.S. at university‐hosted symposia (e.g. Chantilly, VA in April 2025)

Cost:

No cost to register or participate at regional level; national symposium expenses covered for qualifiers

Contest Date:

Regional symposia typically occur January–February; National Symposium in April–May (e.g. April 22–26, 2025 for the 63rd edition)

Application Deadlines:

Varies by region—some deadlines fall between December and January (e.g. December 2024 for Florida region)

Eligibility:

U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents in grades 9–12 enrolled in public, private, or home schools; residents in eligible regions

JSHS invites high school students to present original STEM research at regional symposia held at universities nationwide. Top regional finalists may advance to the National Symposium, where scholarships (up to $12,000) and other awards are offered through Department of Defense sponsorship. Both oral and poster presentation tracks are available, and attendance at National JSHS is all‑expenses‑paid.

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Please note: This information is compiled from publicly available sources and may change from year to year. Dates, locations, fees, and other details are subject to updates—please verify all information directly on the official competition website before applying.