The 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Application will open on February 1, 2026.
How to Create an Account and Open an Application:
1. To open a new application, click the green "Register" button at the top right of this page. After you have opened an application, you can use the "Log in" button to access it. Do NOT register with Google single sign-on; we also recommend using a non-school email address to ensure emails from the system do not get blocked.
2. Already have an account? After you’ve logged in to your existing account, you will be able to open the 2026 application.
3. Read the Access the Application Guide for step-by-step instructions!
4. If you are under 13 years old, please ask permission from your parent/guardian before creating your account.
5. Before you open an application, be sure to read the 2026 Official Rules.
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge® is the premier STEM research competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the United States. Earning a nomination means you are among the top 10% of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in the country - congratulations!
All students who enter will receive a Thermo Fisher JIC t-shirt and bumper sticker, plus will be entered in a drawing to win other cool prizes like swag packages.
We will be hosting a series of live webinars throughout the spring to talk more about the competition and answer your questions. Use the webinar links on our Resources page to join us!
Important Dates
| February 1, 2026 | Application Opens |
| June 10, 2026 at 8 pm ET | Application Closes |
| September 2, 2026 at 12 pm ET | Top 300 Junior Innovators Announced |
| September 16, 2026 at 12 pm ET | Finalists Announced |
| October, 2026 | Finals Week in Washington, DC |
Finalists will present their original science fair projects and compete in teams to test their leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities in science, engineering, and mathematics. Prizes include the $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND Award (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries), scientific excursions, and cash awards to finalists’ teachers and schools.
For nominee information, visit https://www.societyforscience.org/jic/for-nominees/.
General questions? Please email us at jic@societyforscience.org.