On the evening of October 28, the winners of the 2025 Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC) were officially announced. This prestigious event not only showcased the impressive research capabilities of young innovators, but also offered bold, creative perspectives that challenge how we imagine the future.

Often described as the “middle school version of ISEF,” the Junior Innovators Challenge is one of the most influential innovation competitions for Grades 6–8 students in the United States, and the 2026 season is now officially underway.

About the Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC

Formerly known as the Broadcom MASTERS, the Junior Innovators Challenge has been held continuously since 2010 with the generous support of the Broadcom Foundation and the Society for Science.

Beginning in 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global leader in scientific services, became the new title sponsor of the Society for Science’s middle school competition. As a result, the competition was officially renamed the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.

Similarly, ISEF itself has undergone a title sponsor transition in recent years—from Intel to Regeneron. Such changes do not significantly affect the competition’s prestige or standards, and participants can be confident in the continued academic rigor of the event.

How the Junior Innovators Challenge Works

Like ISEF, the Junior Innovators Challenge does not accept direct applications. Students must first compete in Thermo Fisher JIC–affiliated regional science fairs. Only students who rank in the top 10% at the regional level are eligible to apply for the national competition.

The competition is open to U.S. students in Grades 6–8, and it serves as a premier national platform for early-stage scientific research and innovation.

1. Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the national Junior Innovators Challenge, students must:

• Have participated in a Thermo Fisher JIC–affiliated science fair between November 1, 2024, and June 1, 2025
• Be enrolled in Grades 6–8
• Have competed in an affiliated fair held within the United States
• Submit only one project per student, either individually or as part of a team of up to three students

All submitted research must comply with Thermo Fisher JIC affiliate guidelines, as well as all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations in the United States.

Team Project Requirements

For team projects, each team member must submit an individual application. Students are required to:

• Independently complete the application
• Clearly describe their own role in the project
• Demonstrate personal understanding of the research

While descriptions may naturally overlap, all written responses must be independently written, except for the abstract. Identical essays or answers are not permitted.

Team members are evaluated individually, not as a single unit. As a result, only some members of a team may advance to the Top 300 or Finalist stages.

2. Competition Timeline (2026 Season)

• February 1 – June 12: Application period
• September 3: Top 300 Innovators announced
• September 17: Top 30 Finalists announced
• Late October: Finalist Week & Project Exhibition

3. Subject Categories

Projects may fall within the following STEM fields:

• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics

4. Awards & Prizes

🏆 Grand Awards

• $25,000 ASCEND Award (Highest Honor)
• $10,000 Broadcom Coding with Commitment Award
• $10,000 U.S. Department of Defense STEM Talent Award
• $10,000 Lemelson Invention Award
• $10,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Promotion Award

🏅 Category Awards

• $3,500 for First Place in each STEM category
• $2,500 for Second Place in each STEM category

* In the previous season, all award recipients also received an iPad.

Why JIC Matters for Young Innovators

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge encourages students to conduct research beyond traditional laboratory settings, drawing inspiration from everyday life and real-world problems.

Like ISEF, JIC prioritizes innovation, social impact, and intellectual curiosity over technical complexity alone. The competition serves as an early gateway into high-level scientific research, helping students discover their interests and shape their future academic directions.

Students who participate in JIC often gain:

• Early exposure to national-level research standards
• A deeper understanding of science competition workflows
• A strong foundation for future participation in ISEF and other elite STEM competitions

For many young researchers, JIC is the first step toward a long-term journey in scientific innovation.