A young student participates in an art project.

Inspire Tomorrow’s Scientists Today

Research shows that interactions with STEM professionals can transform kids’ views of science, and positively impact their career aspirations. But most students in the New York area rarely have the opportunity to meet and interact with real scientists. That’s why the Academy created an outreach effort called Family Science Night, which recruits Academy Members, grad students, postdocs, and STEM professionals to spend an evening working with elementary and middle school students and their families by leading interactive, hands-on activities. Family Science Nights are typically held during the summer in underserved communities throughout New York City and last between 90 minutes and 2 hours.

Pop! Whiz! Fun!

Activities are geared for kids ages 6 to 12 and are science-based but firmly grounded in kid-approved formats, featuring things that fly or pop, for example. Past activities have included creating balloon rockets, paper airplanes, and popsicle stick catapults. These events help parents feel more comfortable with STEM content, and more importantly, allow students to become the experts and to think of themselves as scientists.

How to Volunteer

Qualified Family Science Night volunteers are:

Undergraduate or graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or professionals in a STEM field
Passionate about serving their communities and inspiring curiosity and excitement about STEM topics among students
Located within commuting distance of the New York City metropolitan area

Stay Connected

To receive the latest news and important announcements for our education initiatives, including Family Science Nights, please log in. Navigate to My Account and, under Contact Preferences, select STEM Education Updates to subscribe to our newsletter.

Contact Us

To host a Family Science Night in your community, or to inquire about upcoming volunteer opportunities, contact education@nyas.org.

Scientist-in-Residence

Applications for the 2026–2027 Scientist-in-Residence Program are now open!

Overview

Become a Scientist-in-Residence

Why should you become a Scientist-in-Residence?

If you are a graduate student, postdoc or STEM professional and want to make a difference in the lives of students in the NYC area, then this program is for you! We’ll match you with a motivated STEM teacher and together you’ll create a hands-on, research based project for your students to work on throughout the year.

By serving as a role model and an example of a real-world scientist, you can inspire curiosity and excitement about STEM topics, and positively influence the career aspirations of students from underserved communities. Through the program, you’ll receive training and hands-on experience in teaching methods and strategies, and get the chance to develop your own mentorship skills.

Need more incentive? Accepted scientists will also receive a stipend and a yearlong Membership to The New York Academy of Sciences!

Apply to be a Scientist-in-Residence

Important Dates for 2026-2027*

May 29: Application deadline (note: all applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified applicants will be contacted for a phone interview)
July 6: Accepted applicants notified

Mandatory events:

August 6: Scientist Orientation (virtual, 5:30-7:30 PM; scientists only)
August 29: Summer Institute Orientation Group 1 (in-person, 10 AM – 4 PM)
August 30: Summer Institute Orientation Group 2 (in-person, 10 AM – 4 PM)
October 20: Fall Individual Check-In (virtual, 5:30-7:30 PM)
November 10, 12, 16, or 18: Cluster Sessions (virtual, 5:30-6:30 PM)
January 27: Winter Institute Group 1 (in-person, 5:30-7:30 PM)
January 28: Winter Institute Group 2 (in-person, 5:30-7:30 PM)
March 16, 18, 22, or 24: Cluster Sessions (virtual, 5:30-6:30 PM)
May: Student Showcase (in-person, date TBD)

*This timeline is subject to change and will be confirmed before the start of the program.

It was exciting for me to see the enthusiasm of students when we first gave them their [laser thermometers]. We spent time on the school roof taking temperatures and learning how to best record data. I think the active nature of this exercise really helped students stay engaged.
—Scientist Participant, SiR 2022-23

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time is involved?

The program year runs from approximately Sept – May, during which time each SiR team will schedule at least 10 sessions for the scientist to visit the classroom.
Scientists and teachers will also meet outside of class time to develop their project and teaching as needed.
Scientists will attend training sessions (both virtual and in-person) in August as well as a planning session in October and January (see timeline above for more details).
All participants should also plan on attending the End-of-Program Celebration in May.

What are my responsibilities as a Scientist-in-Residence?

Specific responsibilities will differ depending on the circumstances of each teacher and classroom. At a minimum, scientists will collaborate with the teachers to develop a research project, supervise experiments, and support classroom instruction on project design and implementation, and in creating a final presentation.
Teams will be asked to submit regular progress reports and check in with the Program Manager as needed.

How much is the scientist stipend and will I be reimbursed for anything else?

Each SiR team will have a $500 budget for their project materials.
Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a stipend of $500. Limited travel reimbursements are also available for scientists to support travel to schools.
All participants will also receive a complimentary Membership to The New York Academy of Sciences.

Note: All participants will be required to complete necessary tax forms prior to receiving a stipend.

Who is eligible to apply?

Qualified Scientists are:

Graduate students, postdocs, or professionals from STEM disciplines who are interested in improving their pedagogical and communication skills and expanding their teaching experience
Located within commuting distance of New York City and/or willing to travel within the five boroughs
Available and committed to attend all trainings and meetings

Before entering schools, all applicants are subject to a background check, administered by the Department of Education using their social security number (at no cost to the scientist).

How do I apply?

Applications are open from April to June for the 2026-2027 program year.

Become a Host Teacher

Why should you become a SiR Host Teacher?

By becoming a Scientist-in-Residence Host Teacher you’ll have the chance to bring a real Scientist into your classroom to help motivate and inspire your students. Together, you and your partner will develop an inquiry-based project that encourages students to think critically using the scientific method, while also expanding your repertoire of replicable STEM lesson plans. Host Teachers in past cohorts have reported higher engagement with their students and the added benefit of updating their curricula to incorporate current scientific topics and methodologies.

Need more incentive? Accepted teachers will also receive a stipend and a yearlong Membership to The New York Academy of Sciences!

Apply to be a Host Teacher

Important Dates for 2026-2027*

May 29: Application deadline (note: all applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified applicants will be contacted for a phone interview)
July 13: Accepted applicants notified

Mandatory events:

August 29: Summer Institute Orientation Group 1 (in-person, 10 AM – 4 PM)
August 30: Summer Institute Orientation Group 2 (in-person, 10 AM – 4 PM)
October 20: Fall Individual Check-In (virtual, 5:30-7:30 PM)
November 10, 12, 16, or 18: Cluster Sessions (virtual, 5:30 – 6:30 PM)
January 27: Winter Institute Group 1 (in-person, 5:30 – 7:30 PM)
January 28: Winter Institute Group 2 (in-person, 5:30 – 7:30 PM)
March 16, 18, 22, or 24: Cluster Sessions (virtual, 5:30 – 6:30 PM)
May: Student Showcase (in-person, date TBD)

*This timeline is subject to change and will be confirmed before the start of the program.

I got to enhance our Human Body System unit, which felt a bit dense and abstract for our students last year. I’m excited to introduce it through the lens of neuroscience thanks to the partnership with our scientist.
—Teacher Participant, SiR 2022-23

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time is involved?

The program year runs from approximately Sept – May, during which time each SiR team will schedule at least 10 sessions for the scientist to visit the classroom.
Scientists and teachers will also meet outside of class time to develop their project and teaching as needed.
Teachers will attend an in-person training session in August, as well as a planning sessions in October and January (see above timeline for more details).
All participants should also plan on attending the End-of-Program Celebration in May with representatives from their class.

What is my responsibility as a SiR Host Teacher?

Prior to the scientist’s first visit, Host Teachers will prepare students and the school for the implementation of the Scientist-in-Residence program.
Teachers will collaborate with their partner scientist to ensure the project and related activities are aligned with STEM standards and provide support in classroom management and content delivery.
Teachers will coordinate the attendance and participation of students in our End-of-Program showcase.
Teams will also be asked to submit regular progress reports and check in with the Program Manager as needed.

How much is the teacher stipend and will I be reimbursed for anything else?

Each SiR team will have a $500 budget for their project materials and supplies.
Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a stipend of $500.
All participants will also receive a complimentary membership to The New York Academy of Sciences.

Note: All participants will be required to complete necessary tax forms prior receiving a stipend.

Who is eligible to apply?

Qualified Host Teachers are:

New York City public/charter school science teachers in grades 2-12, who are interested in implementing a year-long STEM project and welcoming a scientist into their classroom
Have at least 2 years of teaching experience
Available and committed to attend all trainings and meetings
Dedicated teachers who are open to continuing the project or implementing it with different cohorts of students after the program

How do I apply?

Applications are open from April to June for the 2026-2027 program year.

Elizabeth, NJ

Program Sponsors

Stay Connected

To receive the latest news and important announcements for our education initiatives, including Scientist-in-Residence, please log in. Navigate to My Account and, under Contact Preferences, select STEM Education Updates to subscribe to our newsletter.

Contact Us

For more information, contact sir@nyas.org.

Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program

We’re now recruiting mentors for the Fall Semester of the 2026–2027 School Year!

Overview

Ignite Their Love for STEM!

Remember the pure curiosity of asking questions and finding new answers? Give that feeling to middle school students around New York City by conducting engaging extracurricular activities with them throughout the school year. In partnership with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the Academy recruits STEM professionals to act as mentors in the Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program (ASMP). ASMP mentors are placed at one of our many afterschool sites around New York City.

Our Impact

Since our launch, we have placed almost 1,700+ scientists at afterschool programs around NYC, and impacted 23,000+ students. Check out the map below to see some of the schools where we’ve put an Afterschool STEM Mentor.

Become a Mentor

Why should you become a Mentor?

Young people who have the opportunity to meet real scientists and engineers — and who are exposed to science through active inquiry-based learning — are more likely to pursue careers in STEM. Yet many children have never met or interacted with a “real” scientist, particularly in the most underserved neighborhoods. By being students’ positive role model as a real-world scientist or engineer, you can inspire curiosity and excitement about STEM topics, and positively influence the career aspirations of young minds.

Mentor Qualifications

ASMP Mentors are research fellows, undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, transitional scientists, or R&D specialists.
Must be passionate about inspiring youth to pursue STEM mindset, studies, and careers
Must be willing to complete the program training and adhere to the mentorship schedule
Must be local to the NYC area
Must be prepared to complete a background check administered by the Department of Youth and Community Development (at no cost to you).
Willing to complete an online compliance training, adhering to local and state policies regarding working with minors. (These are done at no cost to you.)
Note that some sites may also require a health form signed by a doctor.

Apply Today

We’re now recruiting mentors for the Fall Semester of the 2026–27 School Year!

For the Fall 2026 term, mentors commit to facilitating one-hour STEM sessions once per week for 10 weeks between October and January 2027.

Mentors receive training in STEM curriculum and youth development and work alongside Classroom Specialists and site staff to co-implement engaging, hands-on activities.

In addition to completing the online application, mentors are encouraged (but not required) to submit a brief letter of acknowledgment from their PI or supervisor confirming awareness of the once-a-week commitment.

Benefits include:

$500 stipend upon completion of service
Up to $150 in travel reimbursement per semester
Complimentary year-long membership to The New York Academy of Sciences

Apply to be a Mentor

Fall 2026 program timeline*

August 2, 2026: Applications close (rolling interviews and acceptance)
August 31, 2026: Mentor onboarding begins (virtual)
September 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Scientists Curriculum Workshop (in-person)
October 5, 2026: Weekly in-class sessions begin
November 11 or 12, 2026 (TBD): Midpoint check-ins (1.5-hour virtual workshop)
January 29, 2027: Final in-class session
February 12, 2027: Certificates and stipends are awarded

*Timeline subject to change

Program Sponsors

Stay Connected

To receive the latest news and important announcements for our education initiatives, including the Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program, please log in. Navigate to My Account and, under Contact Preferences, select STEM Education Updates to subscribe to our newsletter.

Contact Us

For more information, contact asmp@nyas.org.

Academy Leadership

President & CEO

Nicholas Dirks

President & CEO

Nicholas B. Dirks is a widely respected and highly influential historian and anthropologist, and a prominent leader in higher education. In June 2020, Dirks assumed leadership of The New York Academy of Sciences as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Academy Leadership

Douglas Braaten, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
Editor-in-Chief, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Melanie Brickman Borchard, PhD, MSc
Director, Life Sciences

Jacqueline Chaplin-Kravetz
Director, Development

Michael Cowan
Vice President, Communications

Sonya Dougal, PhD
Senior Vice President, Scientific Programs and Awards

Brooke Grindlinger, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer

Edison Huynh
Director of Research and Special Projects

Lalitaa Isahack, SPHR, CPSP
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
& Compliance Officer

Chenelle Bonavito Martinez, MS
Senior Vice President, Operations & Project Development

Clare Peeters
Chief Business and Financial Officer

Robin Stephenson
Senior Vice President, Advancement

Melanie Brickman Borchard, PhD, MSc

Writing

Ethics in Pediatric Research 
Med Journal

Appearances

What is the New York Academy of Sciences?
CUNY TV

“Why is it important to convene experts across industries for this conversation on healthcare in the era of big data?”
Facebook

The Future of Vaccinology: On-Demand Event Promotion
Facebook

Dr. Brinkman Borchard on the Blog

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Douglas Braaten, PhD

Writing

‘Predatory’ Science Journals
The New York Times

A Report on Chernobyl
The New York Times

So You Want to Publish a Scientific Paper
Academy Blog

Appearances

Metro Focus: A Historic Science Society
PBS

Dr. Braaten on the Blog

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Brooke Grindlinger, PhD

Speaker Reel

Writing

The ‘Barbie’ movie could help push more girls into STEM
The Washington Post

Restricted Funding Is Stifling Scientific Progress
The Chronicle of Philanthropy

From Invisibility Cloaks to Cancer Treatments – Rewarding Young Scientists Speeds Up Innovation
International Business Times

Leading with Heart: Brooke Grindlinger of The New York Academy of Sciences on the Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership
Authority Magazine

Speaking Appearances and Podcasts

Podcast appearance: Unified Purpose Podcast

Commencement Speaker: New York Medical College Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Podcast appearance: Sylvia & Me: Female Scientists Breaking Barriers

Podcast appearance: Women in STEM

Podcast appearance: 2023 Let’s Talk PR and More!

2022 SXSW Panel Host: Alienating Mars: Challenges of Space Colonization

Keynote Presentations:
These are prepared keynote presentations that Dr. Grindlinger can deliver to universities, research institutes, companies, etc. For more information on the above presentations, please contact media@nyas.org.

AI in Global Education
Editor’s Guide to Writing and Publishing Your Scientific Manuscript
Navigating Your Career Pivot: Opportunities in Science Nonprofits
Trust in Science Starts with You: Communication Tips for Scientists

Dr. Grindlinger on the Blog

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13:26:54","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/category\/public-health\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Health<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/category\/public-health\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Public Health<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"blog-highlight":"","blog-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/blog-category\/thought-leadership\/' rel='blog-category'>Thought Leadership<\/a>","feature":"","program-category":"","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/health-disease\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Health & Disease<\/a>","speaker-name":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/speaker-name\/brooke-grindlinger-phd\/' rel='speaker-name'>Brooke Grindlinger, PhD<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":6,"sec":1},"status":"publish","excerpt":"What was once a surefire treatment is now uncertain, and severe, life-threatening fungal diseases are on the 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gap."},{"id":14557,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ideas-insights\/blog\/rule-makers-and-breakers-in-the-space-race-for-off-earth-resources\/","name":"rule-makers-and-breakers-in-the-space-race-for-off-earth-resources","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SXSW2024_-03.11.2024_-Governance-Beyond-Gravity_Panel-Photo-740X640-150x150.png","alt":"A panel discussion from the South by Southwest event."},"title":"Rule Makers and Breakers in the Space Race for Off-Earth Resources","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/nickfetty\/"},"date":"Mar 28, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-03-28 13:50:09","modifiedDate":"2025-11-03 13:27:08","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-11-03 13:27:08","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/category\/space-exploration\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Space Exploration<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/category\/space-exploration\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Space Exploration<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"blog-highlight":"","blog-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/blog-category\/thought-leadership\/' rel='blog-category'>Thought Leadership<\/a>","feature":"","program-category":"","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/technology-innovation\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Technology & Innovation<\/a>","speaker-name":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/speaker-name\/brooke-grindlinger-phd\/' rel='speaker-name'>Brooke Grindlinger, PhD<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":53},"status":"publish","excerpt":"From space junk to mining critical minerals, explore the ambiguities in the governance of space ventures."}]

The Artificial Intelligence and Society Fellowship Program

Overview

In response to the urgent need to incorporate ethical and humanistic principles into the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI), The New York Academy of Sciences offers a new AI and Society post-doctoral fellowship program, in partnership with Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society.

Merging technical AI research with perspectives from the social sciences and humanities, the goal of the program is the development of multidisciplinary scholars more holistically prepared to inform the future use of AI in society for the benefit of humankind.

Promising young researchers from disciplines spanning computer science, the social sciences, and the humanities will be recruited to participate in a curated research program. Fellows’ time will be divided between New York City, Arizona State University, and on-site internships, working alongside seasoned researchers who are well-versed in academia, industry, or policy work.

To qualify, candidates must have a PhD in a relevant field such as computer science, artificial intelligence, psychology, philosophy, sociology, ethics, law (JD), or a related field. Strong research background and expertise in the field of AI and Society, including publications in leading academic journals, is recommended.

From the Academy Blog

Learn about the accomplishments of AI and Society Fellows.

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societies."}]

Fellows

2023 Fellows

Akuadasuo Ezenyilimba, PhD

Akuadasuo Ezenyilimba is a recent Human Systems Engineering PhD graduate. Her academic background consists of a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Master’s in Applied Psychology, and a Master’s in Human Systems Engineering, Her research interest include human computer interaction, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and TBI rehabilitation. She is looking forward to beginning her post doctoral work focused on Artificial Intelligence in Society with Arizona State University and The New York Academy of Sciences.

Nitin Verma, PhD

Nitin is an incoming Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society in collaboration with the New York Academy of Sciences. His doctoral dissertation research at the School of Information at The University of Texas at Austin investigated the notion of public trust in video with the emergence of deepfake and allied generative-AI technologies. Nitin’s broader research interests include the interrelationship between society (individuals, platforms, governments, and other stakeholders) and AI, the role of the photographic record in shaping history, and in the deep connection between human curiosity and the continuing evolution of the scientific method.

Marjorie Xie, PhD

Dr. Marjorie Xie serves as an AI & Society fellow at The New York Academy of Sciences, joint with Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society. Marjorie’s work combines AI, mental health, and education. Her goals are: 1) Develop technology to enable social-emotional learning and to facilitate collaborative interpersonal relationships; 2) Develop systems for effective AI governance. As an AI researcher, engineer, and social entrepreneur, she hopes to collaborate with mental health professionals, educators, business leaders, and social media experts.

Prior to serving as a fellow, Marjorie interned at Basis Research Institute, building AI tools for reasoning about collaborative intelligence in animals. Marjorie completed her Ph.D. in Neurobiology & Behavior at Columbia University, where she used AI tools to build interpretable models of neural systems in the brain. Before her PhD, she designed and completed an independent major in computational neuroscience at Princeton University, where she also pursued intensive studies in philosophy, literature, and history. Born in France and raised in Seattle, Washington by Chinese immigrants, she currently lives and serves as a resident fellow at the International House in New York City.

The Junior Academy

Students smile and pose together during an Academy event.

The Junior Academy is accepting student applications for Fall 2026 from April 1st to July 2nd, 2026.

Program Overview

Benefits

The Challenge Process

Recruitment

Acceptance

Onboarding

Students are recruited internationally during either the spring or winter recruitment periods. Students can expect their notifications of acceptance or rejection in either August or January depending on their recruitment cycle. After acceptance to the program, students must create a profile on our Launchpad platform to effectively accept their spot in the Junior Academy.

Resource Library

Challenge Launch

Team Formation

Challenges take place twice a year, in September and in February. They are first introduced by sharing a Resource Library. This is a list of interesting articles and papers connected to the challenge so students can begin their investigation into which challenge they are interested in tackling. Challenge Launch begins the first day of Kick-Off Week all of the available challenges are open and student can begin to create teams and projects. Team Formation is an important step in the Junior Academy. Students create their own teams by either creating their own project or asking to join others!

Mentor Matching

Solution Design &
Challenge Phases

Solution Presentation

Mentors are on the Launchpad platform to aid students in their project. Remember they do not do the project for you- they are just therefor guidance. Mentors are not required nor are they guaranteed. After team formation ends, the challenge phases begin. It is important to pay attention to due dates of each milestone as they are important steps to achieve your solution presentation! Finally at the end of either November or April, depending on which semester you are participating in, you will turn in your solution presentation. Remember, no late work!

Judging

Winner Announcement

Certificates &
Young Memberships

After you turn in your final solution presentation each challenge enters a judging period. This judging period is both internal and external. During this time, internal judges review all of the submitted work and move 10 projects of distinction to external judging. External judges are professionals and experts who judge the projects of distinction and declare a winner and two finalist teams. After the results are gathered, we announce who the winning team of each challenge is during December or May, depending on the semester! At the very end of the year, in the summer, all of the students who fully participated in one of the fall or spring innovation challenges, meaning they turned in all of their milestone work ON TIME, will receive a certificate and a Young Membership to The New York Academy of Sciences.

For Students

A Junior Academy participant sits at a desk, typing on a laptop.

Junior Academy participants are enthusiastic learners and problem solvers with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). They have a desire to collaborate with international peers to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

Student Eligibility Requirements

Age: 13–17 years old.
Location: Virtual programming takes place online through our Launchpad platform.
Language: All program content and communication on the platform is in English, and a strong level of English proficiency is required. Students’ English proficiency will be assessed during the application process. Applications must be submitted in English and parental or guardian consent forms must be signed.
Time Commitment: Three to four hours each week during challenge periods.
Cost: None. The Junior Academy is completely free for participating students.

Application Process

The Junior Academy applications for students interested in joining the Junior Academy in the Fall of 2026 will open on April 1, 2026 and will close on July 2, 2026.

Please note: Students who are already part of the Junior Academy on Launchpad do NOT need to apply again in order to participate the following year.

Apply to the Junior Academy

Selection Process

To build a community of exceptional young minds, we take the application process very seriously. Each year, we receive thousands of applications from all over the world. Every application undergoes a review to ensure passionate students are offered the opportunity to join the Junior Academy.

Onboarding

Admission decisions for the Fall 2026 recruitment period will be sent out on August 31, 2026. Be sure to check your email!

For Mentors

STEM professionals and enthusiasts are invited to engage with the Junior Academy community as Mentors, supporting the next generation of innovators. Mentors work directly with student teams on The Academy’s learning platform, Launchpad, where students embark on 10-week virtual Innovation Challenges. They provide guidance and encouragement as students progress through each phase of the scientific process–from research and ideation to designing solutions, testing hypotheses, analyzing results, and delivering a final presentation.

Innovation Challenges are offered twice annually and follow an academic school year. Fall Challenges run from mid-September to mid-November and Spring Challenges run from mid-February to mid-April. Mentors may participate in one or both semesters.

In this role, Mentors serve as Dedicated Team Mentors to up to five student teams, guiding them through the Innovation Challenge process and providing thoughtful, in-depth feedback throughout the experience.

Applications

Mentor applications for the Junior Academy 2026-2027 Academic year will open from April 8, 2026 – July 2, 2026.

Apply to be a Mentor

Mentor Eligibility Requirements

Qualified mentors for the Junior Academy are:

Undergraduate students in their Junior (3rd) year or above, graduate students, postdocs or professionals working in a STEM-related field
Passionate about engaging and inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators
Able to access at least one communication device with internet capabilities
Able to communicate clearly in spoken and written English
At least 18 years of age
Experienced in conducting original scientific research (preferred but not required)

Time Commitment

All Mentors accepted to the program should expect to spend approximately 2 hours on orientation and training at the start of their first program term.

During the 10 week Innovation Challenge period, mentors should generally expect to spend 1–2 hours per week answering student questions, providing input on projects, or meeting with teams. The timing of these interactions are flexible, and is based on your schedule. Working and communicating with student teams can be done both synchronously and asynchronously. All communication with our students in the Junior Academy must stay on Launchpad. Mentors are not to communicate with students via phone, email, or social media.

Throughout the semester, we ask mentors to participate in focus groups, check-ins, and surveys.

Application Process and Program Participation

New Mentors submit an application by July 2nd, 2026. Returning Mentors will be emailed an interest survey for the upcoming semester by late summer.
- Application Review and Virtual Interviews will take place in August for the upcoming Fall Challenges.
- Tentatively Accepted Mentors will be onboarded with our volunteer platform for training and other onboarding paperwork.
All Mentors must complete background checks by our third party provider.
Mentors are onboarded to the virtual learning platform, Launchpad, and are expected to complete program orientation, program check-ins, surveys and mentoring student teams for the duration of the semester.
Mentors are offboarded from the Launchpad after each semester ends.

FAQ

When are applications open for students?

Applications for the Junior Academy are open twice a year. For the Fall semester, the application period typically runs from March to July. For the Spring semester, we hold special application periods from November to January.

What are the current important dates for students?

Fall 2026

Applications open: April 1, 2026
Applications close: July 2, 2026
Admission decisions sent out: by August 31, 2026

How do I apply for the Junior Academy?

If you are interested in joining the Junior Academy community, you can apply by filling out an application during the two recruitment periods for the Fall and Spring semesters: https://gsa.smapply.io/prog/student_programs_/

Please note: Students who are already part of the Junior Academy on Launchpad do NOT need to apply again in order to participate the following year.

When will I know if I am accepted to the Junior Academy?

Depending on which enrollment period you are submitting your application, you will typically receive notification of your acceptance or rejection by email by January 31st or August 31st. We do not notify applicants before that time.

What is the official language of the program?

English is the official language of the Launchpad platform and the Junior Academy.

We encourage you to practice English communication on Launchpad. You are allowed to communicate in your native language with team members who share your language. Keep in mind that everyone accepted into the program is required to have a basic understanding of English and ability to communicate in English. The work that you submit in Launchpad for your challenges, milestones, and projects must be in English.

What are the age requirements?

All Junior Academy applicants must be aged 13-17 to be approved to be on the Launchpad platform.

If you are turning 18 during the challenge, unfortunately you cannot participate. We are not able to allow students under the age of 18 to participate with students over the age of 18.

Junior Academy students who turn 18 automatically get placed into an Alumni Community on Launchpad.

Does participation cost anything?

No. The Junior Academy is free of charge to all students and mentors. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win a Challenge.

Do I need to travel anywhere to participate in the challenge?

No travel is necessary to participate. Challenges and events take place virtually and all communication can be done via Launchpad.

What do I get for participating in a challenge?

Students who fully complete a Junior Academy challenge, meaning they have turned in all milestones and a final solution within the 10 week challenge, will receive a certificate of completion and a complementary Young Membership to The New York Academy of Sciences. ONLY students who have fully completed a challenge will receive a certificate and a Young Membership to the Academy.

Do winning teams receive a prize?

Yes, one winning team and two finalist teams will be decided upon by a panel of expert judges at the end of each challenge period. Prizes are educational and are only provided to winning teams. There are NO travel components. The entire program and events are held virtually.

Is there an end of year celebration?

Yes, there is a celebration called The Virtual Student Symposia. Challenge winners from the academic year present their solutions to sponsors, challenge experts, The New York Academy of Sciences staff, program staff, mentors, and peers.

Where is the Virtual Student Symposia held?

The Virtual Student Symposia is held online. It is completely virtual and there are no travel components.

Stay Connected

To receive the latest news and important announcements for our education initiatives, including The Junior Academy, please log in. Navigate to My Account and, under Contact Preferences, select STEM Education Updates to subscribe to our newsletter.

Contact Us

For more information, contact education@nyas.org.

Partner with Us: High School Research Programs

Our Unique Approach to Engaging Teenagers

Our high school programs are designed for students who have a curiosity about science but don’t have opportunities in their own school to work with a scientist on a real research project. We aim to bridge the gaps and welcome all high school students worldwide who have a desire to use STEM to tackle challenges in their communities.

Ways to Work with Us

There are several ways we partner with external organizations to offer high school students exciting opportunities to deepen their understanding of STEM.

You can sponsor an Innovation Challenge for high school students. Level up the partnership by creating an employee engagement program, where you not only sponsor the project but also encourage your staff to serve as mentors to the high school student teams.

We can collaborate to develop an event series tailored to the interests of our high school community that meets your organizational objectives.

You can support our annual Virtual Student Symposium through sponsorship and/or providing speakers from your organization.

Impact Report

Download the New York Academy of Sciences STEM Education 10-Year Impact Report, 2024.

GENERATION STEM: Empowering Scientists of the Future

Download the Report

From the Academy Blog

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