Submissions are open for the Bennington College Young Scientists Awards 2026 (part of the Young Creators Awards) - a free contest for high school students in grades 9 - 12 worldwide who think critically and creatively about STEM and the natural world.

Submit from 1 September 2026, 9:00 a.m. ET through 1 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET. Cash prizes up to $2,000, plus Bennington scholarships for winners who enroll. No AI may be used in any part of a Scientists Awards submission.

This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official Bennington Young Scientists Awards page. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.

Quick Facts - Bennington Young Scientists Awards 2026

Detail	Information
Award	Bennington Young Scientists Awards (Young Creators Awards)
Host	Bennington College, Vermont, USA
Who	High school students grades 9 - 12 worldwide
Entry fee	Free
Category	Natural Sciences - visual illustration / scientific artifact (+ optional ≤500-word explanation)
Cash prizes	1st $2,000 · 2nd $1,000 · 3rd $500 · Distinguished $250
Deadline	1 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Winners	Announced spring 2027
Official page	Bennington Young Scientists Awards

What to Submit

Submit a visual illustration that reflects your unique understanding of an aspect of the natural world - a scientific concept, elements in nature, or a poster of independent research. Goal: a personally crafted artifact showing knowledge and appreciation of natural science.

Examples include a local field guide; scientific illustration of a plant, bird, or insect; a research/community poster; or a process diagram rooted in direct experience. Optional written explanation up to 500 words for context (not a science lecture).

Optional prompt: What is something many people in your neighborhood never notice about the natural world around them?

Benefits

Cash prizes: $2,000 / $1,000 / $500 (1st - 3rd) and $250 Distinguished designations
First-place winners who enroll at Bennington: full-tuition scholarship for four years
Distinguished recipients who enroll: half-tuition scholarship for four years
Finalists who enroll: $25,000 annual scholarship for four years
Publication/showcase on Bennington channels (student retains ownership)

Eligibility

Students in grades 9 - 12 worldwide (international equivalent OK)
Only one submission in this discipline per student; may win in only one discipline award
Original work; no AI in any portion (AI submissions are disqualified for Scientists Awards)
Must be reviewed and approved by a sponsoring teacher or mentor
Already graduated from high school: not eligible
Grade 12: must first complete Common App or Coalition App to Bennington (no fee, non-binding, no supplements) to receive YCA submission instructions

How to Apply

Review guidelines on the official Scientists Awards page.
Grades 9 - 11: start via the Young Creators student information form, then submit through the YCA portal by email instructions.
Grade 12: apply via Bennington admissions / YCA process (Common or Coalition App), then follow the YCA email instructions.
Submit PDFs or digital photos (JPEG/PNG/TIFF, etc.) - up to five images; one strong high-res image is often best. Deadline: 1 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET.

Questions: youngcreatorsawards@bennington.edu

Official Links

Bennington Young Scientists Awards

Young Creators Awards hub

Student information form (Grades 9 - 11)

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FAQs - Bennington Young Scientists Awards 2026

When is the deadline?

1 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Submissions opened 1 September 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Is there an entry fee?

No - free to enter.

Can I use AI?

No for Scientists Awards. AI use is only considered under Innovators Awards rules.

What are the top cash prizes?

$2,000 first, $1,000 second, $500 third, plus $250 Distinguished awards.

Where do I submit?

Grades 9 - 11 via the YCA portal after the student info form; Grade 12 via Common/Coalition App first, then YCA instructions by email.

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