The 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, also known as JIC, has officially opened its application channel.

As one of the most influential middle school STEM research competitions in the world, the 2026 JIC focuses on four major fields: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is open to STEM-focused students in grades 6–8 in the United States.

The full timeline for the new season has been officially announced. Applications opened on February 1 and will close on June 10. Students planning to participate this year should prepare their materials early, submit their applications on time, and make the most of this valuable competition window.

2026 JIC Timeline

All dates are in Eastern Time.

What Is the Junior Innovators Challenge?

JIC was formerly known as the Broadcom MASTERS competition. Since 2010, it has operated with support from its title sponsor and partners, including the Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science.

Starting in 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global leader in serving science, became the new title sponsor of the Society’s middle school competition. The competition was then renamed the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.

Just as ISEF’s title sponsor changed from Intel to Regeneron, a change in title sponsorship does not significantly affect the competition’s level, structure, or academic value.

Like ISEF, the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge cannot be entered directly. Students must first stand out at an affiliated regional science fair in order to qualify. The competition is open to U.S. students in grades 6–8, and students who rank in the top 10% at affiliated fairs may receive eligibility to apply for the national competition.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the national competition, students must have participated in a Thermo Fisher JIC-affiliated science fair between November 1, 2025 and June 1, 2026. Their project must be nominated by the fair as a JIC-nominated project and included on the Society for Science candidate list.

Applicants must be students in grades 6–8 and must participate in a U.S. or U.S.-territory affiliated fair.

Each student may submit only one entry. Students may participate individually or as part of a team of no more than three members.

All submitted research must comply with Thermo Fisher JIC-affiliated fair guidelines, as well as local, state, and national laws and regulations in the United States.

Each nominee’s research project may cover a maximum research period of one year. Students may not submit a project that has previously participated in a Society-affiliated fair or the Society’s national middle school STEM research competition unless it meets the continuation project requirements.

Children of Thermo Fisher Scientific executives, directors, or individuals effectively serving in executive roles are not eligible to participate.

Additional Requirements for Team Projects

For team projects, each student must submit an individual application and answer the application questions independently.

In the application form, each team member must clearly describe their own responsibilities and understanding of the project. Teammates’ descriptions may be similar, but they must be written independently. Except for the abstract, no paper or written response may be exactly the same.

Team projects do not require all team members to participate in the national application. Individual team members may apply separately.

During national judging, a team is not evaluated as one single unit. It is possible that only some team members may be selected as Top 300 students or Finalists.

Subject Categories

The Junior Innovators Challenge covers four major STEM categories:

Award Structure

Nominees

Being nominated means that a student’s project has ranked among the top 10% of U.S. middle school science fair projects. Each nominee is eligible to apply for the national competition.

Entrants

All nominated entrants receive a T-shirt, bumper sticker, and other prizes. They may also join the Society for Science alumni network.

Top 300 Students

Top 300 students receive:

Teachers of Top 300 Students

Teachers of Top 300 students receive a tote bag and a one-year subscription to Science News Explores.

Finalists

Finalists receive a $500 cash award and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by the organizer. Each finalist may be accompanied by one parent or guardian.

Finalists also have the opportunity to compete for additional awards.

The school of each finalist receives $1,000 from Thermo Fisher Scientific to support STEM-related activities.

Grand Awards

Other Awards

First and Second Place Awards are given in each of the four STEM categories.

Both First and Second Place winners also receive an iPad.

The Team Award, sponsored by TIES, recognizes the team that demonstrates the strongest collaborative problem-solving ability. Each team member receives a gift card and a science supplies shopping voucher.

Why JIC Is Worth Participating In

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge encourages students to conduct research beyond traditional laboratory settings and find inspiration from real life.

Similar to ISEF, JIC places strong emphasis on innovation, social value, and early research interest. Students who participate in JIC can become more familiar with the standard process of scientific research competitions, which may give them an advantage when they later move on to ISEF-level competitions.

For middle school students in grades 6–8, JIC is not only a STEM competition but also an opportunity to develop curiosity, research thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence in scientific innovation.