Do you have an eye for design? Do you have a way with words? IJAS offers something for every student! 

All 7th - 12th grade students who are individual members or attend a current IJAS member school are eligible to participate in the contests below, in addition to the traditional poster and paper sessions. Students DO NOT need to compete in any local, regional, or state science fair to be eligible.

"Driven by Discovery: Research is Key"

Entry Deadline: March 1, 2026, 11:59 PM CST 

Prize: $100/$50

1.  Line art must be dark enough to copy or reproduce.  If hand-drawn, please use black ink (no pencil).
   You may use IJAS brand colors #OE3B7B, #631D33, #72A9F1, #427C54, and #75A8ED.

2. The design should not exceed 8.5"x11".

3. The design must be original work. It may be hand-drawn or computerized. No AI created work.

4. The design must include "2025-2026" and the IJAS Logo" or a spot for the logo, as well as the year "2025-2026".
   The design may include the words in the theme title, but not required.

5. The designer's name should NOT appear. Submit the designer's name on the entry form and the file name.
    

Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org

"Driven by Discovery: Research is Key"

Entry Deadline: March 15, 2026, 11:59 PM CST

Prize: $100 / $50

1.  Line art must be dark enough to copy or reproduce.  If hand-drawn, please use black ink (no pencil).
   You may use IJAS brand colors #OE3B7B, #631D33, #72A9F1, #427C54, and #75A8ED.

2. The design should not exceed 5" x 5".

3. The design must be original work. It may be hand-drawn or computerized. No AI-created work.

4. The design must include "2025-2026" and the "IJAS Logo", or a spot for the logo, as well as the year "2025-2026".
   The design may include the words in the theme title, but it is not required.

5. The designer's name should NOT appear. Submit the designer's name on the entry form and the file name.
   
   Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org

The IJAS Essay Contest allows students to explore a chosen topic in an essay related to the exposition theme. The contest is terrific for students who prefer to show their creativity through writing.

"Driven by Discovery: Research is Key"

Entry Deadline: March 1, 2026, 11:59 PM CST 

Prizes: $100/$50 - $100/$50

Middle School Prompts (Grades 7 and 8)

Investigate a university scientist or research team whose curiosity reshaped their field.

How did their questions redefine what was possible?​

High School Prompts (Grades 9-12)

Build a case using real-world examples of how university research has benefitted society.

How does cross-field collaboration and research within universities accelerate progress?

Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org

Schroeder Wetzel Scholarship

Entry Deadline: April 26th, 2026 at 11:59PM CT

Purpose: To allow the Illinois Junior Academy of Science an opportunity to recognize outstanding scholarship, leadership, and character as well as interest and ability for research in high school students.

Criteria and Eligibility:

• Senior in high school (must attend an IJAS member school, or be an individual IJAS member)

• Notice of acceptance to a 2 or 4 year college or similar program (e.g. nursing school)

• Honor Roll ("B" average or better) for at least two of the last three semesters in high school

• Silver Awards or better in projects at the State Exposition in grades 9, 10, 11

Application:

In the subject line of the respondent’s email, please list the student's name, scholarship, and student’s school. Deadline for submission of all the following materials is May 1, 2025 to: Jann Hawkins, IJAS Student Board Advisor (jann.hawkins@ijas.org)              

• Two letters of recommendation, one from a science or mathematics teacher and one from a regional officer, state student advisor, or an adult mentor of the student's choice (excluding parents). Letters must comment on scholarship, leadership, character, and on interest and ability for scientific research. Please attach these digital letters in the form of a Google or Word document in an email sent to the email above: jann.hawkins@ijas.org
  Note - subject of the email as InitialOfScholarshipName_StudentFirstName_StudentLastName_TypeOfRecommender (ex.SWS_Jane_Doe_ScienceTeacher, ex2.SWS_Jane_Doe_AdultMentor).

• Transcript of high school record, including current courses as well as grades and classes through the seventh semester. Please send this from a counselor to jann.hawkins@ijas.org via email.
  Note - subject of the email as InitialOfScholarshipName_StudentFirstName_StudentLastName_Transcript  (ex.SWS_Jane_Doe_Transcript).

• A listing of project titles and years in the Illinois Junior Academy of Science regional fairs and State Expositions. Please list this information in the personal letter of application email explained below.

• A personal letter of application. This letter may include such items as: how the scholarship will be used, interest and commitment to science, plans for higher education, and a personal resume to include accomplishments, hobbies, family or personal travel, interests, and so forth (not to exceed two pages). Please attach this personal letter of application in the form of a Google or Word document in an email sent to the email above: jann.hawkins@ijas.org 
  Note - subject of the email as InitialOfScholarshipName_StudentFirstName_StudentLastName_PersonalLetterOfApplication (ex.SWS_Jane_Doe_PersonalLetterOfApplication).

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Ethel M. and Lyell J. Thomas Scholarship

Entry Deadline: April 26th, 2026 at 11:59PM CT

Selection Basis:

• Merit based on the following criteria and requirements
   

Criteria and Eligibility:

• Any student who has served responsibly as a State Student Officer for at least two years, with at least one of those years being at the eleventh or twelfth grade (must attend an IJAS member school or be an individual IJAS member)

• Awards at the state level as a high school student must be at least gold or silver in grades 9, 10, & 11

• Composite Enhanced ACT score of 24, or comparable SAT score

• GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 point system at the midyear of their graduating year

• Confirmed acceptance at a college, university, or technical institution

• All things being equal, not a recipient of a Schroeder Wetzel Scholarship
   

Application:

In the subject line of the respondent’s email, please list the student’s name, scholarship, and school. Deadline for submission of the following materials is May 1, 2025 to: Jann Hawkins, IJAS Student Board Advisor (jann.hawkins@ijas.org)             

• Transcript

• ACT or SAT scores 

• Copy of acceptance letter

• Copies of award certificates (or complete project information-year, title, region number, school, and so forth)

• Two letters of recommendation from current science, mathematics, or English teachers

• Recipients must provide verification of college enrollment in order to receive the award.

Susan Moy Memorial Scholarship

Entry Deadline: April 26th, 2026 at 11:59PM CT

Background:

Susan Moy was an IJAS Board Member for many years serving as the Advisor to the Student Board and as the Zoology Category Chair.  She graduated from Mundelein College in 1982 with degrees in biology and chemistry.  Susan began her career as an animal keeper at the Lincoln Park Zoo in 1982 and being an animal keeper was her life’s work until her death in 2019.

Criteria and Eligibility:

• Senior in high school (must attend an IJAS member school or be an individual IJAS member)

• Served responsibly as a State Student Officer for at least two years

• Notice of acceptance to a 2 or 4 year college or similar program (e.g., nursing school)

• Honor Roll (“B” average or better) for at least two of the last three semesters in high school
   

Application:

In the subject line of the respondent’s email, please list the student's name, scholarship, and student’s school. Deadline date for postmark of the following materials is May 1, 2025 to: Jann Hawkins, IJAS Student Board Advisor (jann.hawkins@ijas.org)

• Transcript

• ACT or SAT scores 

• Copy of acceptance letter

• Copies of award certificates (or complete project information-year, title, region number, school, and so forth)

• Two letters of recommendation from current science, mathematics, or English teachers

• Recipients must provide verification of college enrollment in order to receive the award.