YCA - Bennington College
Bennington College Young Scientists Awards Open for 2026
Bennington College is accepting applications for its 2026 Young Scientists Awards, offering cash prizes and scholarships to high school students worldwide.
This page is an informational summary. Requirements and dates can change. Confirm every detail on the official provider website before taking action.
Bennington College Young Scientists Awards 2026 | Win Up to $2,000
The Bennington College Young Scientists Awards 2026 is inviting high school students from around the world to showcase their creativity, curiosity, and scientific thinking through original work in the natural sciences. The competition is open to students in Grades 9–12 and offers cash prizes, with additional scholarship opportunities for eligible winners who choose to attend Bennington College.
The awards recognise young people who demonstrate originality, explore scientific ideas, and develop creative ways to understand the natural world. Students are encouraged to submit work that reflects independent thinking, thoughtful investigation, and a willingness to explore new scientific questions.
Award Categories and Cash Prizes
The competition focuses on the natural sciences. Applicants must submit a visual illustration that demonstrates their understanding of a scientific concept or aspect of the natural world.
Eligible submissions may include an illustration of a scientific idea, an artistic representation of natural phenomena, or a poster presenting findings from independent research.
Important: All submissions must be original work. The competition expressly prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in any part of the submission.
The cash prizes are as follows:
| Award category | Cash prize |
|---|---|
| First place | $2,000 |
| Second place | $1,000 |
| Third place | $500 |
| Distinguished entries | $250 |
Additional recognition may be awarded to outstanding submissions within different grade levels and categories. Students whose work receives Distinguished recognition may qualify for a $250 cash award even if they do not win one of the top three prizes.
Scholarship Opportunities at Bennington College
In addition to the cash prizes, the Young Scientists Awards provide scholarship incentives for eligible winners who enrol at Bennington College.
The programme also offers opportunities for selected submissions to be featured on the college's website, social media channels, and publications. Students retain ownership of their submitted work.
Applicants should review the official competition rules to understand the scholarship benefits, eligibility conditions, and any requirements associated with enrolling at Bennington College.
Eligibility Requirements
The competition is open to high school students worldwide who meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in Grades 9–12 at the time of eligibility.
- Submit one original entry.
- Focus the submission on the natural sciences.
- Ensure that no AI is used in any part of the submission.
- Obtain review and approval from a sponsoring teacher or mentor.
Students who have already graduated from high school are not eligible.
Special Application Instructions for Grade 12 Students
Grade 12 students must apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application process, according to the competition's stated procedure.
The college application is described as having no application fee, being non-binding, and requiring no supplemental essays for this process. Once the college application is completed, Bennington College will send additional instructions by email for submitting the Young Scientists Awards entry.
Students in other eligible grades should follow the submission instructions provided on the official awards website.
Application Timeline and Deadline
Applications opened on 1 September 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).
The deadline for all submissions is 1 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Applicants should allow enough time to prepare their illustrations, obtain their teacher's or mentor's approval, and complete any required application steps before the deadline.
How to Apply for the Bennington College Young Scientists Awards 2026
Interested students should review the official competition guidelines, prepare an original scientific illustration, and follow the submission instructions for their grade level.
Application deadline: 1 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Official application and information links:
- Young Scientists Awards — Official Bennington College webpage: https://www.bennington.edu/young-scientists-awards
- Bennington College — Official website: https://www.bennington.edu/
Applicants should use the official awards webpage to confirm the submission requirements, scholarship terms, and application procedure before submitting their entries.
Official source
Use the official provider's website for current eligibility rules, application instructions, fees and deadlines.
Visit official websiteSource verification date: October 22, 2026. This is not a guarantee that the opportunity remains open.