JSHS Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) is a STEM initiative sponsored by the Department of Defense, including the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This program is designed for high school students in grades 9-12 who are involved in research in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. These students are encouraged to participate in a JSHS regional symposium, with the potential to progress to the National JSHS.
Three scholarships are awarded at each of the 49 regional events, with additional scholarships available for National Winners.
Eligibility for Regional and National Symposia includes the following rules:
1. Students can only participate in one regional symposium, determined by the location of their school, except for the Virtual Region.
2. Participants must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or a U.S. territory.
3. Students can continue a research investigation, but simply adding data from a previous year’s project is not considered a strong continuation. If a continuation project is submitted, the student must explain how the project was expanded and present new data.
4. Students can present a report on work done as part of a class project, a science fair project, or a summer research project.
5. For team projects, a team leader should register and present the results. The presentation should focus on the coordinated efforts of all team members.
6. If a team project presenter is selected as a Regional finalist and invited to the National JSHS, the same presenter must present at the National Symposium. Scholarships and other awards are given to the presenter.
7. Demonstrations, ‘library’ research or informational projects are not suitable for JSHS.
8. The date/time for the student’s presentation is determined by regional and national symposia leadership. A student must be present for the assigned time or risk disqualification.
Students interested in applying to JSHS should use the region’s registration link to apply and submit all required work for regional submission. At the time of registration, students should be prepared to submit a written report of the completed research investigation, submit the JSHS-provided Statement on Outside Assistance form, complete registration with all application materials by the regional submission deadline, and comply with regional and national rules and policies.
The written and oral reports should present the results of the student’s original research investigation. Assistance from teachers, mentors, parents, or other students may be obtained, but students must clearly communicate their role in the completion of the investigation and understanding of the research results. JSHS specifically forbids the use of ChatGPT or any other generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write their report.
Students do not need teacher or mentor sponsorship to register for JSHS.
Schedule and Deadlines:
Eligible high school students are invited to apply to the JSHS Regional Symposium in their area. Application deadlines vary by region. Students and teachers are strongly encouraged to visit the JSHS website to find the regional submission deadline.
October – January: JSHS Regional Symposia registrations open. Deadlines vary by region.
January – February: JSHS Regional Symposia held.
May: National JSHS held. National JSHS student finalists win the honor to progress to National JSHS at affiliated regional symposia.
Core Rules and Guidelines for JSHS Submissions:
Students apply to JSHS by submitting a written report of the completed research investigation, and Statement on Outside Assistance through Ideal-Logic. A first round of judging is conducted by university faculty and other STEM personnel who review the student’s submissions to select those students who will compete in the regional symposium.
Eight Categories of Regional and National Symposia:
At regional and National Symposia, student research presentations will be organized into eight categories. Categories are assigned based upon a review of all abstracts and the area of research suggested by the student. Categories suggested by the student are not guaranteed and may be changed after review of all abstracts.
Categories:
Environmental Science
Biomedical Sciences
Life & Behavioral Sciences
Medicine & Health
Engineering & Technology
Mathematics & Computer Science
Physical Sciences
Chemistry