Training Future Leaders
Rising Scientist Awards
Each year, college scholarships are awarded to five high school students who show exceptional promise in research in the fields of psychology, neuroscience or biomedical engineering. Read the guidelines below for eligibility.
This Program is Currently on Hold
About the Awards
The crisis in children’s mental health takes many forms. Stigma. Barriers to care. Slow progress on the science we need to develop new treatments.
By recognizing and investing in high school students — including those from diverse backgrounds and marginalized communities — who demonstrate exceptional early achievement in psychology, neuroscience, and biomedical engineering research, we accelerate discovery and help meet the increasing need for culturally competent youth mental health care.
Program Timeline
- Early fall – Call for applications
- Late fall – Applications and supporting materials due
- Mid-winter – Winners announced
- Early spring – Virtual presentations and awards ceremony
To be selected for the Rising Scientist Awards a student must demonstrate:
- Outstanding interest and achievement in psychology, neuroscience or biomedical engineering research
- Strong academic performance in science courses
- Participation in related extracurricular activities
- Scientific research studies or independent research in one of the three areas of focus
Each Rising Scientist receives:
- A $2,000 scholarship for college expenses
- An opportunity to share his or her research at the Child Mind Institute’s annual Rising Scientist Awards ceremony
- Invitations to attend a special educational event with representatives from the Child Mind Institute’s research programs and to shadow a Child Mind Institute researcher for a day
- Recognition in press releases distributed to national media outlets, on childmind.org and in social media promotion
