Bennington College Young Scientists Awards 2026

The Bennington College Young Scientists Awards 2026 are now accepting submissions from exceptional high school students around the world who are exploring science through creativity, curiosity, independent thinking, and scientific inquiry. The awards are part of the Bennington College Young Creators Awards, a broader initiative that recognizes original work by students in grades 9 to 12 across several disciplines.

The Young Scientists Awards are designed for students who are thinking critically and creatively about STEM and the natural world. Rather than focusing only on conventional scientific projects, the competition encourages students to communicate their understanding of science through original visual work. Submissions may explore scientific concepts, elements of nature, or independent research in ways that demonstrate the student's own perspective and understanding.

The 2026 to 2027 competition is open to students worldwide and is free to enter. Students can compete for cash prizes of up to $2,000, recognition, publication and showcase opportunities, as well as substantial Bennington College scholarships for eligible winners and finalists who later enroll at the College.

About the Opportunity

The Bennington Young Scientists Awards celebrate high school students whose scientific work demonstrates originality, curiosity, thoughtful investigation, and a willingness to explore questions about the natural world.

The 2026 award focuses on the Natural Sciences category. Students are asked to submit a visual illustration that reflects their specific or unique understanding of an aspect of the natural world. This could involve presenting a scientific concept, illustrating one or more elements found in nature, or creating a poster based on independent research.

Examples of possible areas include subjects such as pollinator diversity, plant growth, environmental conditions, biological processes, or other questions connected to the natural sciences. The important consideration is that the submitted work should represent the student's own knowledge, creativity, and scientific perspective.

Bennington College reviews submissions for authenticity and originality. Artificial intelligence tools cannot be used to brainstorm, create, draft, revise, or collaborate on any part of a Young Scientists Awards submission. Entries that use AI are subject to disqualification.

Opportunity Benefits

• First place cash prize of $2,000

• Second place cash prize of $1,000

• Third place cash prize of $500

• Distinguished designation award of $250 for selected strong submissions

• Full tuition scholarship for four years for first place winners who enroll at Bennington College

• Half tuition scholarship for four years for Distinguished Designation recipients who enroll at Bennington College

• $25,000 annual scholarship for four years for finalists who enroll at Bennington College

• Opportunity for winning and distinguished work to be featured on Bennington College's website, social media channels, publications, and other showcase opportunities

• Recognition for originality, scientific curiosity, and independent thinking

• Free participation in the competition

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to students in grades 9 to 12 worldwide

• Students must still be enrolled in high school at the time of submission

• Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible

• Only one submission in the Young Scientists discipline award is permitted per student

• Entries must be original work

• Entries must demonstrate the student's own scientific understanding and creative perspective

• Each entry must be reviewed and approved by a sponsoring teacher or mentor

• Artificial intelligence may not be used in any part of the submission

• Grade 12 students must first complete either the Common Application or Coalition Application to Bennington College before receiving the Young Creators Awards submission instructions

• Grade 12 students do not need to pay an application fee, and the Bennington application is non binding with no supplemental essays required for this process

Required Application Materials

• One original visual illustration related to the natural sciences

• A submission that demonstrates the student's own understanding of a scientific concept, element of nature, or independent research

• Review and approval from a sponsoring teacher or mentor

• Required student and school information through the Young Creators Awards submission process

• For grade 12 students, a completed Common Application or Coalition Application to Bennington College before submitting the award entry

Students should ensure that their work is entirely their own and does not contain material generated, revised, or developed with artificial intelligence tools.

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you are currently enrolled in grades 9 to 12 and meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Choose a subject or aspect of the natural world that you understand well and want to explore creatively.
3. Prepare an original visual illustration that communicates your scientific understanding, concept, natural subject, or independent research.
4. Do not use artificial intelligence to brainstorm, create, draft, revise, or collaborate on any part of the submission.
5. Ask a sponsoring teacher or mentor to review and approve your entry.
6. Students in grades 9 to 11 should complete the Young Creators Awards student information process and submit their entry through the designated portal.
7. Students in grade 12 should first complete the required Bennington College application through the Common Application or Coalition Application. After completing the application, students will receive information about accessing the Young Creators Awards submission process.