The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is more than just a competition—it’s a launchpad for the nation’s brightest high school students to explore their passions in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), JSHS brings together thousands of young researchers every year to share their discoveries, build networks, and earn recognition for their work.
What is JSHS?
JSHS is a nationwide STEM research competition designed for high school students (grades 9–12). With over 8,000 students and teachers participating annually, JSHS provides a structured path from regional competitions to the National Symposium, and in some cases, even to international forums like the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF). The mission is simple yet powerful: to encourage original student research, celebrate achievement, and inspire the next wave of scientists and engineers.
Why Does JSHS Matter?
In an age where innovation is essential to solving global challenges, JSHS helps “widen the pool of trained talent” by nurturing student curiosity and skills. Beyond recognition and scholarships, participants gain:
- Opportunities to present their work to peers and STEM professionals
- Access to mentorship and lab tours
- Networking with like-minded students and leading experts
- A deeper understanding of ethical research practices
Many alumni credit JSHS with setting them on the path toward successful STEM careers.
How the Competition Works
JSHS is structured as a tiered progression:
- Regional Symposia (January–March): At the regional level, students present original research in 8–12 minute talks or posters with Q&A. Each symposium recognizes about five finalists, with the top three typically receiving scholarships—$2,000 for 1st place, $1,500 for 2nd, and $1,000 for 3rd. Winners also earn the chance to advance to Nationals on an all-expenses-paid trip!
- National JSHS (April–May): Nationals host 230–300 students (about five from each of ~49 regions) plus teachers and mentors. The multi-day, in-person event includes oral presentations, posters, lab tours, workshops, panels, and an awards banquet. Students qualify only by placing at regionals. Competitions are held by subject (e.g., Environmental Science, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Math/CS), with scholarships of $12,000 for 1st place, $8,000 for 2nd, and $4,000 for 3rd. In total, over $200,000 is awarded, including poster prizes. Top finalists are also invited to the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF).
- International Opportunities: Top national winners are invited to the prestigious London International Youth Science Forum, connecting them with peers worldwide.
Scholarships and Recognition
JSHS awards over $200,000 annually in scholarships. At Nationals, the top six students receive scholarships ranging from $4,000 to $12,000, while regional winners also receive awards. This makes JSHS not just a platform for recognition but also a direct investment in students’ academic futures.
Who Can Participate?
JSHS is open to U.S. high school students in grades 9–12 (citizens or lawful permanent residents). There is no minimum age or grade apart from being in high school (some regions allow middle schoolers to attend as observers or in junior divisions, but the competition is for grades 9–12).
Eligible projects must involve original research in a STEM field—whether experimental, analytical, or field-based. Team projects are permitted, though only one student presents.
Regional JSHS Symposia – Tentative Dates & Locations
Below is a comprehensive list of JSHS regional symposiums across the U.S. and abroad. (Dates are tentative and vary by year.)
| Region | Location (Host) | Typical Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama State Univ., Montgomery, AL | Mid–Feb |
| Alaska | Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, AK | Feb 21–22 |
| Arizona | Arizona State Univ., Tempe/Phoenix, AZ | Early Feb |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville, AR | Late Feb |
| California – Northern | San Francisco State Univ., CA | Feb–Mar |
| California – Southern | Cal State Univ. Long Beach, CA | Feb–Mar |
| Chicago Region | Loyola Univ., Chicago, IL | Feb 20–21 |
| Illinois (Statewide) | Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale, IL | Feb 21–22 |
| Connecticut | Univ. of Connecticut, Farmington, CT | Late Feb |
| Heartland (IA & NE) | Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA | Feb 24–25 (covers both Iowa and Nebraska since neither has its own JSHS) |
| Greater Washington, D.C. | Catholic Univ. of America, Washington, D.C. | Feb 22 |
| Maryland | St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City, MD | March |
| Virginia | Longwood Univ., Farmville, VA | Feb 22 |
| Pennsylvania | Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA | Late Feb |
| Philadelphia & Delaware Valley | Drexel Univ./Univ. of Delaware, Philadelphia, PA | Feb 23–24 |
| New Jersey – North | Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, NJ | Late Feb |
| New Jersey – South | Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ | Late Feb |
| New England – North | Univ. of Maine, Orono, ME | Late Feb (covers Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont) |
| New England – South | Roger Williams Univ., Bristol, RI | Late Feb (covers Massachusetts and Rhode Island) |
| New York – Long Island | York College (CUNY), Queens, NY | Late Feb |
| New York – Metro | York College (CUNY), Queens, NY | Late Feb |
| New York – Upstate | Air Force Research Lab, Rome, NY | Early Mar |
| Ohio | Capital Univ., Columbus, OH | Feb 27, 2026 |
| Great Plains (OK & KS) | Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK | Late Feb (covers both Oklahoma and Kansas) |
| Oregon | Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR | Late Feb |
| Washington | Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA | Feb–Mar |
| Wyoming & N. Colorado | Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (Virtual format) | Late Feb (covers Wyoming and northern Colorado) |
| Southwest (NM, S. Colorado, W. Texas) | Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM | Late Feb (covers New Mexico, southern Colorado, and western Texas) |
| Texas (Statewide) | Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX | Jan 23 |
| North Carolina | UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC | Mid–Feb |
| South Carolina | Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC | Mid–Feb |
| Georgia | Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA | Feb 16–18 |
| Florida | Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL | Feb 2–4 |
| Kentucky | Univ. of Louisville, Louisville, KY | Feb 14–15 |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Univ., Starkville, MS | Late Jan |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Tech Univ., Ruston, LA | Feb |
| DoDEA-Europe (International) | Groß-Gerau, Germany | Feb 25–27, 2026 |
| DoDEA-Pacific (International) | Okinawa, Japan | Feb–Mar |
| Virtual Region | Online (Univ. of Southern Mississippi) | Feb (for students without access to a local region) |
Fast Forward
The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is more than a competition—it’s a transformative journey for students passionate about discovery. Whether your goal is to pursue a STEM career, gain valuable presentation experience, or simply explore your research curiosity, JSHS provides an unparalleled platform.
For students, parents, and educators looking to prepare for future-forward opportunities in STEM, JSHS is the perfect stage to begin.
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