Projects and experiences with integrating methods (or interdisciplinary fields) in non-science, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies are welcome. Key dates for the competition are outlined below.
- Submissions open: October 1, 2025
- Submissions close: July 10, 2026
- Finalists are announced: July 24, 2026
- Submission materials: A Research Paper and an Application Form
- Submission is open to international and U.S. junior high school, senior high school and college students.
The due date for the submission of the research paper and application form is , 2026. All the applications are made online or via email.
- Submission of the research materials is open. You can go to the menu "Submission" and fill out the form to create an account and start your application. If you have any technical difficulties, you can directly send your application materials(research paper and application form) via email: info@jyem.org.
- Submission is open to all international and U.S. junior high school, senior high school, and college students.
- Finalists will be selected based on the novelty and creativity of the research paper and will be announced on our website during mid-August.
- You can submit the same paper you have submitted to other competitions or conferences in the past two years.
- You can submit the same project to JYEM Expo for poster presentation competition. Please check the Expo Information section below.
Key Dates
| Event |
Date |
Method |
| Submission |
10/1/2025~7/10/2026
|
Portal or Email
|
| Finalists Announcement |
July 24, 2026 |
Online
|
Submission Materials: Formats and Downloads
| Files |
File Formats |
Download |
| Research paper |
Paper_FN_LN.docx |
Download |
| Application Form |
Form_FN_LN.docx |
Download |
*Preferred file format: docx(not doc)
*File name: Paper_Mary_Kennedy.docx / Form_Bob_McDonald.docx
General Information
- Please upload the materials online: go to the menu bar on top and select “Submission Portal” to upload the two project materials. Or email them directly to info@jyem.org.
- The research paper template can be downloaded from: [download]
- The application form is available from: [download]
- The submission deadline is at 11:59 EST on the day posted.
- Your research paper can be one of the following:
- A completed full paper with 5 or more pages
- A work-in-progress paper(preliminary or initial stage of creative research, suggestion, or investigation) of 3 or more pages and late submissions will be reviewed by separate judges. Updated final results will be posted by the end of this August.
- Team projects must check the Team Project box in the application form and list all the coauthors’ information in the Author section of the Abstract, including each author’s complete name, school, and email. The corresponding author should be the first author.
- Again, if you have problems uploading documents online, please send your research project paper to info@jyem.org directly with the application form.
- Preferred document format is .docx file(not .doc file)
- You can upload relevant images or photos optionally on the portal or via email.
- Your project will be available for review by judges throughout the judging period.
- All the submissions will go through a rigorous triple-blind peer review.
- Submissions are free: we do not charge any submission fees.
- This event is separate from the JYEM Expo described below.
Junior High School and Freshmen Submission Guidelines
- Recognizing that completing a project can be challenging for junior high school students and freshmen, we’ve created a Junior High/Freshmen Awards section to highlight selected projects as finalists in a dedicated space on our website. This is designed to encourage and celebrate the growth of young researchers.
- If you are a junior high school student or freshman, we encourage you to apply by submitting your application form and research paper by July 10, 2026.
- The submission deadline is at 11:59 EST on the day posted.
- Final results will be announced and posted by mid-October.
- Your research paper can be one of the following:
- A completed full paper with 5 or more pages
- A work-in-progress paper(preliminary or initial stage of creative research, suggestion, or investigation) of 3 or more pages and late submissions will be reviewed by separate judges.
- If you’ve already submitted, please resubmit the files to ensure they’re considered for this special recognition. Please rename your submission file in the following format: Freshman_Paper(or Form)_FirstName_LastName.docx
- Both work-in-progress papers (preliminary research, proposals, or investigations of 3+ pages) and completed research projects will be accepted. Each category will be evaluated by separate judging panels.
- The research paper and the application form template can be downloaded from:
- Research paper template: [download]. Please rename the file in the following format: Freshman_Paper_FirstName_LastName.docx
- Application form: [download]. Please rename the file in the following format: Freshman_Form_FirstName_LastName.docx
- Team projects must check the Team Project box in the application form and list all the coauthors’ information in the Author section of the Abstract, including each author’s complete name, school, and email. The corresponding author should be the first author.
- If you have problems uploading documents online, simply send your research project paper to info@jyem.org directly with the application form.
- Preferred document format is .docx file(not .doc file)
- You can upload relevant images or photos optionally on the portal or via email.
- Your project will be available for review by judges throughout the judging period.
- All the submissions will go through a rigorous triple-blind peer review.
- Submissions are free: we do not charge any submission fees.
- This event is separate from the JYEM Expo described below.
Scopes of the Research Paper Category
Scopes of the research paper category can include Science, Engineering, Humanities, and Social Science but are not limited to.
- Sciences - Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Medicine / Health
- Psychology
- History
- Social / Behavioral Studies
- Economics / Business / Financial Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Humanities
- Art
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political science
Scopes of Projects
Projects and experiences with integrating methods (or interdisciplinary fields) in non-science, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) studies are welcome. Suggested topics include:
- Integrated studies throughout the curriculum
- Pre-college initiatives and outreach programs
- Diversity in STEaM from junior/senior high school to college level
- Fundamental and applied research
- Work-in-progress projects are also welcome.
2026 JYEM Expo Updates
Each year, selected projects from general applications—including research papers, photographs, drawings, and other creative works by junior high school, senior high school, college student, and professionals—are invited to participate in the JYEM/NYCSEF Expo. There are two participation modes: in-person and virtual.
(Please check the changes below.)
⚠ For the 2026 competition, the competition format has been revised.
Please refer to the table below for the updated participation process and schedule.
⚠ 2026 Revised Format:
Due to the large number of applications received from participants around the world this year, the remaining stages of the 2026 competition will be conducted virtually.
|
Stage
|
Process
|
Details
|
|
1
|
Selection Round
|
Approximately 15-20% of the finalists will be selected and invited
to submit the eight required materials listed below.
|
|
2
|
Virtual Research Expo
|
Approximately 50% of the projects advancing from the Selection Round will be evaluated by the judges through a virtual assessment. Depending on the project, some participants may be invited to attend a virtual question-and-answer (Q&A) session via Zoom.
|
|
3
|
Final Awards
|
The Grand Prize winner and multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award recipients will be selected from among the finalists who advance through the Selection Round and participate in the Virtual Research Expo. The results will be announced and posted on our website by mid-October.
|
The schedule, format, any updates or changes, and additional details will be
posted on our website by August 11 --> Please check the updated notice on the JYEM 2026 Awards page: https://jyem.org/award_2026.php
- The Expo is a separate event from the JYEM research competition described above.
- The participation mode will be determined based on the quality of your work, your location (school or place of residence), and other relevant factors.
- Once the invitation assessment has been completed, we will notify you individually via email of your assigned participation mode.
⚠ For the 2026 competition, the competition format has been revised.
Please refer to the table above for the updated participation process and schedule.
In-person Expo Information
In-person Expo schedule
(Please ignore the table and schedule below: refer to the notice above, highlighted in red and blue, for important updates. Updated table/schedule will be
posted by August 11.
Please check the updated notice on the JYEM 2026 Awards page: https://jyem.org/award_2026.php)
| Event |
Date |
Method |
| Submission |
10/1/2025~7/10/2026
|
Portal or Email
|
| Notice |
TBD
|
Portal or Email
|
| Expo |
August 9, 2026 |
NYC or NJ(TBD)
|
| Award Ceremony |
August 9, 2026 |
Auditorium
|
Award Ceremony (in-person events)
- Again, once your application has been completed, your project will be ready for the preliminary judging on a rolling basis.
- Selected projects will be notified and invitd to the Expo.
- A Grand prize winner, category winners and recipients of Amazon eGift cards will be selected after judging session at the in-person Expo event.
-
For this in-person events, please bring your printed presentation poster mounted on a trifold poster board. The required poster size is 48x36 inches (horizontal: 48 inches).
-
Dress code: Business formal or semi-formal
Event Schedule (in-person event)
1. Presentation & Judging: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2. Grading Period: Approximately 1 hour (immediately following presentations)
3. Award Ceremony commences right after grading is completed.
4. Final event timelines will be communicated via email prior to the event.
Some quick tips to help you prepare to present your poster
- Please check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylYoE_oTi3Y.
- Also check photos from our past events at https://jyem.org/photos.php
Talent Release Form
- Participants may complete this consent form either by email before the event or in person at the expo venue.
Virtual Expo Information
Virtual Expo schedule
(Please ignore the table and schedule below: refer to the notice above, highlighted in red and blue, for important updates. Updated table/schedule will be
posted by August 11.
Please check the updated notice on the JYEM 2026 Awards page: https://jyem.org/award_2026.php)
| Event |
Date |
Method |
| Submission |
7/18~8/8 (2026) |
Portal or Email |
| Award |
8/20/2026 |
Portal or Email |
The submission deadline has been extended to September 13.
Once you are invited to participate virtually, please submit the following eight materials (Items A–H)
by email
between July 18 and
September 13.
The application includes the first two files (Items A and B), which you may have already submitted during the initial application process.
The required file formats and detailed submission guidelines are provided below.
8 Required Materials (A–H) for the Virtual Assessment
A
Application Form
File name:
Expo_Application_Form_FirstName_LastName.docx
The application form is available from:
[download]
B
Formatted Research Paper
File name:
Expo_Paper_FirstName_LastName.docx
(Revisions to the submitted paper are allowed.)
The research paper template can be downloaded from:
[download]
C
Biography with Headshot Photo
1. Length: 200–500 words, approximately half a page to one full page.
2.
File name: Biography_FirstName_LastName.docx
3. Please insert your headshot photo at the end of your biography.
4. Sample:
http://nycsef.org/souza.php
D
Project Presentation File
1. File name: Presentation_FirstName_LastName.pdf
2. Maximum number of PowerPoint slides: 20.
3. Include the words "JYEM Competition/Expo" on the first slide.
E
Recorded Video
1. Record a presentation of approximately 7–15 minutes.
2. Save the video in MP4 format for easy access and sharing with judges.
3. Save the video file in your Google Drive.
4. File name to attach to your email:
Video_Link_FirstName_LastName.docx.
This document should contain the video link. Please do not attach the MP4 video file itself to the email.
5. To create the video-link document:
In Google Drive, select your video file and click Share.
Under General access, select
Anyone with the link.
Click Copy link, paste the link into a document, and save it as
Video_Link_FirstName_LastName.docx.
6. There is no predefined presentation format, but please include
"JYEM/NY-CSEF Competition & Expo 2026"
on the first slide.
7. Please refer to the following video for guidance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-umT8quReDQ
F
Resume
1. File name: Resume_FirstName_LastName.docx
2. Please include the name of your school or affiliation,
your grade for the upcoming Fall semester, and your expected graduation year.
3. Please include your academic background, skills, activities, awards,
research experience, and other relevant information.
G
Poster File
1. File name: Poster_FirstName_LastName.pdf
2. Recommended slide size: Set the PowerPoint slide aspect ratio to 4:3.
For example, for a 48 × 36 inch horizontal poster, set the slide size to
48 inches wide × 36 inches high.
3. Submit only the PDF poster file. A physical poster or poster board is not required.
H
Talent Release Form and Junior Judging Agreement
1.
File name: Talent_Release_FirstName_LastName.pdf
JPG or PNG format is also acceptable.
2. The Talent Release Form can be downloaded from:
[download]
Optional materials
1. Other supporting materials: photos/coding list/photos of key pages from a handwritten notebook. (10MB max.)
File name: Supporting Material-1_FirstName_LastName.pdf
2. Photos with captions of your experimental apparatus or equipment. (10MB max.)
File name: SupportingMaterial-2_FirstName_LastName.pdf
Awards (for virtual events)
- After completing all requirements, your project will be virtually assessed by judges.
- The winners will be selected and receive PDF award certificates via email.
Some quick tips to help you prepare to present your poster
- Please check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylYoE_oTi3Y.
