The Junior Academy STEM Program

The Junior Academy, an initiative by The New York Academy of Sciences, offers a unique virtual opportunity for passionate, young problem-solvers worldwide. The program connects talented students with STEM experts and industry leaders to design innovative solutions to society’s greatest challenges. Participants gain access to a global online community and best-in-class STEM resources. Throughout the semester, students are grouped into international teams and mentored by STEM professionals as they collaborate on 8-to-10-week virtual innovation challenges.

Program Details & Commitment

• Structure: Virtual, team-based innovation challenges guided by STEM mentors.
• Duration: Students must be available to participate for the duration of the Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027 semesters.
• Global Collaboration: Participants will meet and work alongside a diverse network of international peers to solve real-world problems.

Eligibility Requirements To be considered for the Junior Academy, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Must be 13–17 years old during the program. Specifically, for the Fall 2026 semester, students must turn 13 by September 1, 2026, and must not turn 18 by May 1, 2027. (Note: Students turning 18 after December 1, 2026, may contact the Academy for a case-by-case review).
• Language: Must be comfortable reading, writing, and communicating effectively in English, as the entire application and program are conducted in English.
• Interests: Must possess a strong, demonstrated interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Application Window & Deadlines

Application Open: April 1, 2026

Application Deadline: July 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT

Notifications: Applicants will be notified of their status by the end of August 2026.

Application Process All applications must be submitted online through the Academy's SurveyMonkey Apply portal. A complete application requires:

An active, regularly checked email address for all communications.

Completion of all required application tasks and sections online.

A completed, signed, and dated Parental Consent Form uploaded to the application (applications will not be accepted without this form signed by a parent or guardian).

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