IJAS - Thermo Fisher JIC

Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC)

Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge Finals Week: October 24-29, 2025(Washington D.C)

Congratulations to our Illinois 2025 JIC Top 300 Winners: Aarya Dharwadkar (Barrington Middle School), Andy Dong (Hinsdale Middle School), Ishaan Pulugurtha (Clifford Crone Middle School), Alice Teixeira (Barrington Middle School), and Aarush Virginkar (Clifford Crone Middle School)

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC) is the premier national STEM competition for middle school students in the United States. Students qualify through their regional and state science fairs, earning the opportunity to represent Illinois on the national stage.

Each year, the top 300 projects nationwide are selected to advance, and finalists are invited to Washington, D.C. to present their research and take part in hands-on STEM challenges. Competitors have the chance to win over $100,000 in prizes and scholarships, recognizing innovation, scientific excellence, and perseverance.

For more information, visit www.societyforscience.org/jic
.

Qualification through IJAS State Exposition

IJAS Rules:

Students must take part in either a participating IJAS Regional Exposition (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 12) OR the IJAS State Exposition to be eligible.
The top 10% of middle school students at either a participating IJAS Regional Exposition OR the State Exposition are eligible for nomination(NOTE: Only the top 10% of the 7th and 8th grade students not already nominated by their region may be nominated at the State Exposition)

Questions may be directed to info@ijas.org

Thermo Fisher JIC - Schedule & Deadlines

IJAS Regional Expositions:

Throughout March 2026

The top 10% of 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students from Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 12 may be nominated at their regional fairs.

IJAS State Expositions:

April 24-25, 2026

The top 10% of the 7th and 8th-grade students not already nominated by their region may be nominated at the State Exposition.

IJAS Thermo Fisher nominees at the State Exposition will be announced and honored at the
Awards Ceremony on April 25, 2026, at 3:30 PM - SIU - Carbondale, Banterra Center.

Application to Enter the JIC:

Opens February 1, 2026 - Closes June 11, 2026 - 8:00 PM ET (subject to change by the Society for Science)

Fill out and submit the application on the 2026 JIC Application Portal.

Top 300 Junior Innovators Announced:

TBD

Top 30 Finalists Announced:

TBD

Finals Week in Washington, D.C:

TBD

Winners Announced:

TBD