Thank you for your interest in The New York Academy of Sciences' virtual student opportunities with the Junior Academy!
Student Applications for the Fall 2026 challenge semester are open from April 1st to July 2nd, 2026. We will be reviewing applications and notifying students of their application status by the end of August 2026.
Students who are already part of the Junior Academy on Launchpad do NOT need to apply again! This application is for students who have not participated in the past.
To apply, students must:
Be 13-17 years old during the program.
Birthdate criteria for Fall 2026 semester:
You must be or turn 13 by September 1st, 2026.
You must NOT turn 18 by May 1st, 2027.
If you are turning 18 after December 1st, 2026, contact education@nyas.org for a case-by-case review.
Be able to submit the application in English and be comfortable reading, writing and communicating in English.
Have a strong interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
Interested in meeting and working with students from around the world.
Be willing to work on an international team of peers to solve real-world challenges.
Be available to participate for the duration of the Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027 semester.
Important Note: Students will be required to submit a Parental Consent Form as part of their application to participate.
How to Apply: Students only!
- Login & Register:
If you already have a SurveyMonkeyApply account (from a previous application), login at the top of the screen, then click the “Apply” button to begin your application.
If you don’t have an account yet, click “Register” to create an account, and then proceed with your application. By creating an account, you will be able to save your application and return to it at any time.
Use your active email address:
Enter your name and an email that you use and check regularly. The email you register with will be the email that we use to communicate with you!
- Complete all application sections:
Make sure all required tasks are completed in the application.
- Submit a Parental Consent Form:
A parent or guardian must complete, sign and date the form before it is uploaded into the application.
- Sign off on your application:
Double-check that all tasks are completed and accurate. Read through the required documents and acknowledge that you understand the rules for participation if selected.
- Hit the Submit button!
Making your application stand out
Please take a look at our tips and pointers on how to make your Junior Academy application shine
More information on the Junior Academy and opportunities within this community:
The Junior Academy is a passionate community of problem solvers made up of talented students, STEM experts, and industry leaders from around the world. Junior Academy members are dedicated to designing innovative solutions to society’s greatest challenges! The Junior Academy is part of the New York Academy of Sciences' education initiative that introduces passionate students to an online community where they gain access to best-in-class STEM resources and work together to solve real-world problems. STEM professionals mentor student teams during 8-10 week virtual innovation challenges, with multiple challenges a year for participants to choose from.
Student Programs
Thank you for your interest in The New York Academy of Sciences' virtual student opportunities with the Junior Academy!
Student Applications for the Fall 2026 challenge semester are open from April 1st to July 2nd, 2026. We will be reviewing applications and notifying students of their application status by the end of August 2026.
Students who are already part of the Junior Academy on Launchpad do NOT need to apply again! This application is for students who have not participated in the past.
To apply, students must:
Be 13-17 years old during the program.
Birthdate criteria for Fall 2026 semester:
You must be or turn 13 by September 1st, 2026.
You must NOT turn 18 by May 1st, 2027.
If you are turning 18 after December 1st, 2026, contact education@nyas.org for a case-by-case review.
Be able to submit the application in English and be comfortable reading, writing and communicating in English.
Have a strong interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
Interested in meeting and working with students from around the world.
Be willing to work on an international team of peers to solve real-world challenges.
Be available to participate for the duration of the Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027 semester.
Important Note: Students will be required to submit a Parental Consent Form as part of their application to participate.
How to Apply: Students only!
- Login & Register:
If you already have a SurveyMonkeyApply account (from a previous application), login at the top of the screen, then click the “Apply” button to begin your application.
If you don’t have an account yet, click “Register” to create an account, and then proceed with your application. By creating an account, you will be able to save your application and return to it at any time.
Use your active email address:
Enter your name and an email that you use and check regularly. The email you register with will be the email that we use to communicate with you!
- Complete all application sections:
Make sure all required tasks are completed in the application.
- Submit a Parental Consent Form:
A parent or guardian must complete, sign and date the form before it is uploaded into the application.
- Sign off on your application:
Double-check that all tasks are completed and accurate. Read through the required documents and acknowledge that you understand the rules for participation if selected.
- Hit the Submit button!
Making your application stand out
Please take a look at our tips and pointers on how to make your Junior Academy application shine
More information on the Junior Academy and opportunities within this community:
The Junior Academy is a passionate community of problem solvers made up of talented students, STEM experts, and industry leaders from around the world. Junior Academy members are dedicated to designing innovative solutions to society’s greatest challenges! The Junior Academy is part of the New York Academy of Sciences' education initiative that introduces passionate students to an online community where they gain access to best-in-class STEM resources and work together to solve real-world problems. STEM professionals mentor student teams during 8-10 week virtual innovation challenges, with multiple challenges a year for participants to choose from.