FOLLOW US
Call for Applications: Bennington Young Scientists Awards 2026–2027!!
The Bennington Young Scientists Awards 2026–2027 is an international award program by Bennington College in the United States for high school students who demonstrate creativity, curiosity, originality, and independent thinking in the natural sciences. The award is part of the broader Bennington College Young Creators Awards, which also recognizes young writers, artists, musicians, and innovators. The program is designed to give students an opportunity to present their own scientific ideas and observations in a creative visual format.
Get the Youth Opportunities iOS App here for the fully-funded opportunities.
The Young Scientists Awards are open to students currently studying in grades 9–12 from around the world. There is no entry fee, making the competition accessible to students regardless of their financial background. Students do not need to be U.S. citizens or residents to participate. However, students must still be enrolled in high school, as those who have already graduated are not eligible.
For the 2026–2027 award cycle, students are invited to submit a visual work connected to the natural sciences. Submissions may explore subjects such as animals, insects, plants, geology, topography, hydrology, ecology, environmental issues, scientific concepts, natural phenomena, or original research. Students can create scientific illustrations, field guides, research posters, process diagrams, or other visual works that demonstrate their personal understanding of the natural world.
An optional written explanation of up to 500 words can accompany the submission. This explanation should provide context for the work and help the judges understand the student’s ideas and creative process. The competition emphasizes originality, quality, personal perspective, and engagement with complex ideas rather than simply presenting conventional scientific information.
The awards offer both cash prizes and potential scholarships. First place receives $2,000, second place receives $1,000, and third place receives $500. Distinguished submissions can receive $250. In addition, students who later enroll at Bennington College may receive substantial tuition scholarships: first-place winners can receive a full-tuition scholarship for four years, distinguished recipients can receive a half-tuition scholarship for four years, and finalists can receive a $25,000 annual scholarship for four years.
Youth Opportunities invites you to join your preferred channel to get the latest updates directly to your messenger inbox.
- Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
- Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
- Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
- Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
- Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/
Students should note that the competition has a strict no-AI rule. Artificial intelligence may not be used to brainstorm, create, draft, revise, or collaborate on any part of a Young Scientists Awards submission. Entries are reviewed for authenticity and originality, and submissions using AI may be disqualified.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
- Cash Prize: First-place winners receive $2,000, while the second and third-place winners receive $1,000 and $500 respectively.
- Distinguished Award: Students with particularly strong original work may receive a $250 Distinguished designation award.
- Full-Tuition Scholarship: First-place winners who later enroll at Bennington College receive a full-tuition scholarship for four years.
- Half-Tuition Scholarship: Distinguished designation recipients who enroll at Bennington receive a half-tuition scholarship for four years.
- Annual Scholarship: Finalists who enroll at Bennington College receive a $25,000 annual scholarship for four years.
- Recognition and Showcase: Winning and distinguished entries may be featured on Bennington’s website, social media, publications, and other showcase opportunities.
Eligibilities
- Applicants should:
- Be currently studying in grades 9–12.
- Be a high school student from any country worldwide.
- Have not already graduated from high school.
- Submit original work in the Natural Sciences category.
- Have a sponsoring high school teacher or mentor review and approve their entry.
- Submit only one entry in this discipline award.
- Ensure that the submission is entirely their own work.
- Follow Bennington’s strict no-AI rule.
- Grade 12 students must submit through the Common Application or Coalition Application process before receiving the YCA submission instructions.
Application Process
- Applicants must follow the required steps-
- Create an original natural-science visual work.
- Ensure the work demonstrates your scientific understanding and personal perspective.
- Obtain approval from a sponsoring high school teacher or mentor.
- Prepare your submission as a PDF or digital image.
- You may include an optional written explanation of up to 500 words.
- Submit your entry through Bennington’s designated submission process.
- Grade 12 students must first complete the Common Application or Coalition Application process as instructed by Bennington.
- Submit before the deadline.
Application Deadline: November 2, 2026 (34 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
