The Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) Program is jointly sponsored by the United States Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, in cooperation with leading research universities throughout the nation. The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed JSHS on the NASSP Advisory List of Contests and Activities.

The primary aims of JSHS are:

• To promote research and experimentation in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level.
• To recognize the signficance of research in human affairs and the importance of humane and ethical principles in the application of research results.
• To search out talented youth and their teachers, recognize their accomplishments at symposia, and encourage their continued interest and participation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
• To expand the horizons of research-oriented students by exposing them to opportunities in the academic, industrial, and governmental communities.
• To increase the number of future adults capable of conducting research and development.

Regional and National Symposia

Forty-eight regional symposia are affiliated with the JSHS program, reaching over 10,000 high school students and teachers throughout the United States , Puerto Rico , and in the Department of Defense Dependents Schools, Europe and Pacific Rim regions. The university sponsored symposia invite the participation of secondary schools within their region. 

Featured at each symposium, including the regionals and national, are presentations of original research conducted by high school students. Symposium participants also hear presentations of current research by the host universities, visit research and development laboratories, and meet and exchange ideas with practicing researchers and fellow students. 

Students who compete in the regional symposia by presenting their original research are eligible for valuable awards. At each of the forty-eight regional competitions, three finalists are eligible to receive scholarship awards totaling $4,500 (awarded at $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000). Five regional finalists are awarded an expense-paid trip to National Symposium held in Bethesda, Maryland. 

The National JSHS brings together over 360 participants, including 240 high school students, their teachers and parents, university faculty affiliated with the JSHS, and other guests. The National symposium is held annually in late April or early May. 

Who is eligible to participate in the regional symposia?

Any serious student in grades 9-12 with the potential or demonstrated interest in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics is eligible to participate in a regional symposium. Further, JSHS invites entries from high school students who have conducted original research in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics.

Eligibility for scholarship awards

Students must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States to be eligible for the government sponsored scholarship awards available through JSHS.