Frequently Asked Questions

• September 2024 – Call for nominations
• November 2024 – Nomination and supporting materials deadline
• January 2025 – 2024 winners announced
• March/April 2025 – Virtual presentations and awards ceremony

No. The Rising Scientist Awards is open only to US high school students who are seniors during the fall nomination period.

Yes. Winning students receive a $2,000 scholarship for college expenses. See what else the winners receive and get basic information about this scholarship program on our Rising Scientists Awards page.

Yes. The Rising Scientist Awards scholarship must be used for educational expenses (i.e., costs associated with college or university tuition and fees, school supplies, equipment or books) at any US college or university.

No. Only a school faculty member or school administrator may submit a nomination. However, after a nomination is submitted, the student will be asked to complete a brief form to tell us more about themselves and share a sample of their work.

Yes. A school may nominate as many students as they like.

Strong Rising Scientist candidates have an outstanding academic record in science courses, participate in extracurricular activities related to science, and have completed a research project or independent study in the area of psychology, neuroscience or biomedical engineering.

Nominations are accepted every fall from early September through late November.

Yes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Yes. Educators are invited to submit materials such as research papers, presentations, or articles that feature the nominee’s relevant accomplishments. Additional supporting materials can be submitted via email to risingscientists@childmind.org or can be linked to in the designated area of the nomination form.

Student winners and their school nominators are notified in January.

Yes. Rising Scientist winners (and a school representative) are expected to attend an awards ceremony. The winners are expected to give a brief presentation of their work. The event takes place virtually each year in March or April.