Prestigious High School Research Opportunities – Journals, Competitions, and How to Succeed
Dream Big: Research Opportunities Await in High School
If you’re a high school student with big dreams – or the parent of one – this post is for you. Many ambitious teens are no longer waiting for college to start making waves in research. From publishing scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals to showcasing innovations at international science fairs, today’s students have unprecedented opportunities to shine. Not only do these elite programs validate a teen’s hard work, they also impress college admissions committees and build real-world skills. In this guide, we’ll introduce several prestigious research journals and competitions for high schoolers – and show how pairing up with a research mentor (through a program like Infinite Scholars) can help turn your aspirations into reality.
NeurIPS High School Track – AI Research at a Top Conference
What it is: The NeurIPS High School Track is a special program within the world-famous NeurIPS AI conference (Neural Information Processing Systems) that invites high school students to submit their original research in machine learning. Launched in 2024 with a theme of “machine learning for social impact” (Announcing the NeurIPS High School Projects Results – NeurIPS Blog), it was created to get the next generation of researchers excited about using AI for good.
Why it’s respected: NeurIPS is one of the top international conferences in artificial intelligence – a place where PhDs and industry experts publish breakthroughs. The High School Track gives teens a chance to be part of that community. In its first year, NeurIPS received 330+ high school submissions from around the globe, spotlighting only about 21 projects and selecting 4 winners (Announcing the NeurIPS High School Projects Results – NeurIPS Blog). Those selected got to present their work at NeurIPS (often via a poster session alongside professional researchers) – a huge honor that signals a student’s work is truly cutting-edge.
What they accept: Submissions are full research papers on an AI/ML topic (for example, past high school winners tackled things like disease detection with AI or using satellite imagery for resource planning). Typically, students need to present a well-motivated problem, their methodology (e.g. an experiment or model), results, and conclusions – just like a professional research paper. The review process is rigorous, so only original, high-quality research makes the cut.
Benefits: Having your work recognized at NeurIPS as a teen is extraordinary. It shows you can perform research at (or approaching) undergraduate level in computer science. Beyond the resume boost, you also network with leading AI scientists and other young researchers. It’s an experience that can fuel your passion for STEM and clarify your college and career goals.
Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI) – Science Journal for Teens
What it is: Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI) is an open-access peer-reviewed journal that publishes original research by middle and high school students. Founded in 2011 by a group of Harvard graduate students, JEI has become a premier publication outlet for teenagers who conduct scientific research (Publishing in the Journal of Emerging Investigators | Polygence). It covers a wide range of STEM fields.
Why it’s respected: JEI is run by scientists (the editors and reviewers are often PhD students or academics) and maintains a rigorous editorial standard. In fact, JEI’s review process mirrors that of professional journals – student authors receive feedback and may have to revise their paper before acceptance. Being published in JEI means your work met high scholarly standards. This journal is well-regarded by educators and even college admissions officers (Polygence notes that it’s “highly regarded by admission offices” (Publishing in the Journal of Emerging Investigators | Polygence)). It’s also mentored – JEI encourages students to have a teacher or mentor guide them, which means the learning experience is built-in.
What they accept: JEI accepts research papers in all scientific disciplines (biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, etc.). The work must be original (not just a demonstration of known science) – often these are experiments or data analyses the student conducted, sometimes as part of a science fair or independent project. They also accept review articles in some cases. Any high school (or middle school) student can submit, from anywhere in the world, as long as the research was done while in secondary school. There’s no publication fee for submission; only a modest fee if the paper is accepted (to cover open-access costs). This makes it accessible to many young scientists.
Benefits: Getting a research paper published in JEI is a huge achievement for a teenager. It means you’ve taken a project from start to finish – asking a question, doing experiments, analyzing data, and writing a formal paper. The rewards include building writing skills, learning to handle peer review, and gaining confidence as a researcher. Plus, you now have a citable publication which you can talk about in college essays or interviews. It demonstrates passion and initiative far beyond the classroom. And who knows – your findings might even be useful to the scientific community or inspire other students!
Regeneron ISEF – The International Science and Engineering Fair
What it is: The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is often called the “Olympics of science fairs.” It is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition ( Regeneron ISEF ). Each year, around 1,800 top high school students from over 75 countries are selected to attend ISEF, having qualified by winning at regional and national science fairs. At ISEF, students present their research projects and compete for millions in awards and scholarships.
Why it’s respected: ISEF has a decades-long history (formerly sponsored by Intel, now by Regeneron and run by Society for Science). It’s the premier global science competition for high schoolers ( Regeneron ISEF ). Many Nobel laureates and innovators were ISEF finalists in their youth. Winning an award at ISEF (or even just qualifying as a finalist) is a mark of exceptional scientific achievement. The fair is judged by doctoral-level scientists and industry experts. Top winners can receive substantial scholarships (some awards are $75,000 or more, and there’s a grand $250,000 award for the top project). Beyond the prizes, ISEF winners often get news coverage and recognition from universities. It’s not uncommon for ISEF finalists to get priority attention in college admissions because it’s such a well-known credential.
What they accept: ISEF isn’t a single category – it hosts 21 categories of research encompassing everything from biomedical science and environmental engineering to mathematics, computer science, and physics. Projects typically are experimental research, engineering prototypes, or data science analyses that students have worked on (often for many months). To get to ISEF, you usually need to compete in your local affiliated fair (for example, a city or state science fair). The best projects from each region or country advance to the international fair. At ISEF, students set up a poster or booth and present their work to judges over several days. Team projects are allowed (teams of up to 3), but most are individual. The key is originality and depth – ISEF projects are often at or above AP-level science, sometimes even approaching university research in quality.
Benefits: It’s hard to overstate the impact of ISEF on a young scientist’s trajectory. Finalists get to travel (all-expenses-paid) to the ISEF host city, meet peers from around the world, and interact with Nobel laureates (who often attend). They practice communication skills while explaining their work to judges and the public. If you win an award, you not only earn scholarships but also join an elite group of alumni that includes pioneers in science and technology. College admissions officers recognize ISEF as a top-tier honor – it can significantly boost your application. Even if you don’t win at ISEF, just getting there means your project was likely the best in your region. The experience can fuel your passion for STEM and might lead to internships or media attention. Many students also say they make lifelong friends at ISEF with similar science enthusiasts.
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) – Prestigious Research Presentations
What it is: The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is a national research competition and symposium for high school students sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. It has a structure of regional symposia across the United States, which culminate in the National JSHS. Students present original research (often as a 8-12 minute oral presentation, like a mini TED talk or conference talk) in front of judges and peers. JSHS covers STEM subjects and aims to encourage high schoolers to engage in research.
Why it’s respected: JSHS has been around for over 60 years and is considered the premier showcase for STEM research by high school students (Top U.S. STEM Students Win Scholarships and Awards at the 62nd Annual National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium | NSTA). It’s supported by organizations like the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and administered by the National Science Teaching Association – lending it credibility. Each year, over 5,000 students participate in regional JSHS events, and the top 230 or so make it to Nationals. At the national level, over $200,000 in scholarships and awards are given out (Top U.S. STEM Students Win Scholarships and Awards at the 62nd Annual National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium | NSTA). Taking home a JSHS national award (1st, 2nd, 3rd place in your category or one of the scholarships) is a big deal – it means your research presentation was among the best in the country. Even at the regional level, winning JSHS is an honor and often comes with scholarship money or special opportunities (like summer internships). JSHS is also unique in its format – focusing on oral presentation skills in addition to the research itself.
What they accept: To compete, students must conduct an original research project in STEM (this could be an experiment, engineering design, field study, theoretical investigation, etc.). You then write a research paper and prepare a presentation. At regional JSHS, you typically submit the paper and present if selected. Categories may include Environmental Science, Biomedical Science, Engineering, Mathematics/Computer Science, Physical Sciences, etc. Judges (who are scientists and educators) evaluate both the quality of the research and how well you communicate it. If you win at regionals, you move on to the National Symposium. Nationals are usually held in the spring (recently hosted by different branches of the military or universities), where you present to a larger audience. Clarity, depth of knowledge, and poise in Q&A are crucial to success.
Benefits: JSHS pushes you to really understand your research – since you must explain it clearly and defend it to experts, you’ll deepen your knowledge and improve your public speaking skills. Participants often get to attend hands-on workshops or lab tours as part of the symposium, gaining insight into careers in science and engineering. If you win, the scholarship funds can directly help with college tuition. Additionally, being a JSHS finalist or winner signals that you’re not only a capable researcher but also an effective communicator – a powerful combo that universities love to see. Perhaps just as importantly, you’ll meet other passionate students and mentors, expanding your network in the STEM community.
STEM Fellowship Journal – Publishing Student STEM Research
What it is: STEM Fellowship Journal (SFJ) is an open-access, peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated entirely to student research. It publishes work by high school, undergraduate, and even graduate students, but high schoolers have a special place – the journal was created to give young scholars a credible platform to share their findings. SFJ is run by the non-profit STEM Fellowship organization (with ties to university mentors and volunteers) and is supported by University of British Columbia’s library system for its online platform.
Why it’s respected: SFJ stands out because it’s one of the few journals that follows full academic publishing standards while focusing on student authors. According to the journal itself, it “marks the beginning of scholarly publication record for future academic talent” (STEM Fellowship Journal). In other words, it’s often a student’s first real publication – and SFJ takes that seriously. Every submission undergoes peer review by experts. The journal’s editorial board includes researchers committed to open science and mentorship, which means they aim to make the process constructive and fair. Since SFJ is now in its 10th volume (as of 2024) (STEM Fellowship Journal), it has an established history. Getting published here signals that your research was solid and significant enough to pass an international standard of review. Also, because it accepts work from undergraduates too, a high school paper in SFJ is literally appearing alongside those by older students – a nice testament to its quality.
What they accept: Any STEM research – from biology and medicine to engineering and computer science – as long as a student is the lead author. High school students can submit independently or with co-authors (often a mentor or team member might be co-author, which is okay as long as the work is student-driven). SFJ publishes both original research articles and review articles. They emphasize that submissions can be with or without mentor input (Submitting a Paper - STEM Fellowship Journal), so you don’t necessarily need a scientist co-author (though you should have done the work yourself, obviously!). The process involves writing a full paper with an abstract, introduction, methods, results, etc., and references. After submission, it goes through peer review, where you may get feedback to revise the paper. One cool aspect: SFJ is open-access and digital, so your work is freely available online once published – you can easily share it with friends, family, and colleges.
Benefits: Being a published author in a journal like SFJ as a teenager is a rare achievement. It gives you a huge head start on academic writing skills. You learn how to navigate peer review and improve your work based on feedback – exactly what scientists do for their careers. This experience can make college lab reports or future research projects feel easier. It’s also a confidence booster: you aren’t just doing a school project; you’re contributing to the global scientific dialogue! In terms of college and scholarships, a publication in SFJ is evidence of passion, expertise, and persistence. It can help you stand out in selective research program applications (like RSI, MIT PRIMES, etc., if you pursue those) because it shows you can follow through and produce results. Moreover, you become part of a community of young researchers – SFJ often highlights student authors and connects them through the STEM Fellowship network, which might lead to further opportunities.
The Concord Review – Showcasing Excellence in Humanities
What it is: The Concord Review (TCR) is the most prestigious journal for high school history and humanities research. Unlike the science-focused opportunities above, TCR is all about outstanding analytical papers in history, literature, and other humanities/social science topics. It was founded in 1987 by Will Fitzhugh with the mission to recognize exemplary history essays by high school students (The Concord Review, Inc. - About). TCR is a quarterly publication that has, over the decades, published more than 1,500 high school papers from students in 46 U.S. states and 46 countries (The Concord Review, Inc. - About).
Why it’s respected: The Concord Review is truly unique – it remains the only quarterly journal in the world that publishes academic research papers of secondary students in the humanities (The Concord Review, Inc. - About). Having your essay selected means it’s among the best of the best globally. Teachers and college professors hold TCR in high esteem because it sets a very high bar for student writing – published papers average 8,500 words with endnotes and bibliography (The Concord Review, Inc. - About), essentially a scholarly thesis. Many TCR authors go on to attend top universities; the journal proudly notes alumni at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Oxford, and more (The Concord Review, Inc. - About). In fact, some students include their Concord Review publication when applying to colleges, and it can significantly strengthen their applications. In the humanities world, The Concord Review is as big a gold star as ISEF is in the science world.
What they accept: TCR focuses mainly on history research papers – think topics like historical analysis, economic history, political science, international relations, or literature analysis with a historical lens. However, they have also published exemplary papers in other social sciences. To submit, you typically will send an academic research essay you’ve written (in English), often something you may have worked on for an honors history class, independent study, or summer program. The essay needs to be extensively researched (with citations from primary and secondary sources). There’s no strict page limit, but most TCR papers are 5,000–15,000 words. Submissions are evaluated and only about 5% (or less) of submissions are accepted for publication. It’s extremely selective. Students do not need to be from the U.S.; TCR welcomes global submissions. If accepted, your paper gets published in one of the quarterly issues (print and online) and you join a very elite group. There’s a submission fee, and the process can take several months of review and correspondence.
Benefits: If you love history or the humanities, getting published in The Concord Review is like winning an Olympic medal. It validates your ability to conduct college-level research: formulating a thesis, doing extensive reading, and crafting a compelling argument. The process likely improves your writing clarity and rigor. When it comes to college admissions, humanities applicants often have fewer tangible outlets than science kids (who have fairs and journals) – so TCR is a shining credential to have. It demonstrates intellectual passion, discipline, and originality. Several top scholarships (like the Davidson Fellows, for example) have recognized TCR papers. Even if you don’t get published, striving for that level can elevate the quality of your research paper significantly. And if you do make it, you’ll forever be able to say you published in The Concord Review! For parents, seeing your child’s name in a real academic journal is incredibly validating as well – it’s proof of their hard work and talent.
Why These Achievements Matter
Earning a spot in any of the above journals or competitions is life-changing for a high school student. Here’s why students (and parents) should care about these opportunities:
- College Admissions Boost: In the ultra-competitive college admissions process, being an ISEF finalist or a published author in a journal like JEI or TCR helps you stand out from thousands of other applicants. It’s concrete evidence of your passion, initiative, and ability to pursue work at a high level. Admissions officers know how selective these programs are, and seeing such accolades can tip the scales in your favor. (Plus, you’ll have amazing material for application essays or interviews when discussing your research journey!)
- Scholarships and Awards: Many of these programs come with direct rewards. Competitions like ISEF and JSHS offer substantial scholarships and prize money, which can help pay for college or fund future projects. But even beyond monetary rewards, the honors can lead to other opportunities – for example, becoming a semifinalist in Regeneron Science Talent Search (another prestigious competition) or being invited to special academic programs. Success breeds success; once you have one big win, it’s easier to get selected for other elite experiences.
- Real Skills & Personal Growth: The process of working toward these goals teaches you skills that simply going to class won’t. You learn how to formulate problems, conduct experiments or deep research, analyze data, and write formally. You also develop perseverance (because research often doesn’t go as planned at first!) and critical thinking. Presenting at a symposium or conference builds public speaking and confidence. By tackling a big project as a teen, you prove to yourself that you’re capable of college-level work. This makes the transition to university much smoother – you’ll already know how to handle a lab or write a research paper, while your peers might be doing it for the first time.
- Networking & Mentorship: These venues often connect you with like-minded peers and professionals. You might meet a future college roommate at the international science fair or get advice from a professor who reviews your journal submission. Such connections can lead to lifelong friendships, collaboration on future projects, or mentorship relationships that extend beyond the program. Being part of a community of young researchers also means you have people to share ideas and celebrate nerdy interests with – which is motivating and fun!
- Confidence and Passion: Perhaps most importantly, achieving something like this in high school can supercharge your self-confidence. You’ll carry yourself differently knowing you’ve done research on a real-world problem and perhaps even contributed new knowledge. Many students discover their true academic passion through these projects – solidifying whether they want to pursue biology vs. engineering vs. history, etc. Even if you eventually choose a different path, the experience of rigorous research makes you a more well-rounded thinker. And for parents, seeing your child take ownership of their learning and excel can be incredibly fulfilling; it’s a sign they’re developing into a motivated, capable young adult.
The Secret to Success: Mentorship with Infinite Scholars
By now you might be thinking, “These opportunities sound amazing – but also a bit intimidating. How can I actually get to that level as a high schooler?” The truth is, even the brightest students benefit from guidance. This is where Infinite Scholars’s one-on-one research mentorship program comes in.
Infinite Scholars connects motivated students with PhD-level mentors in their field of interest. Imagine having a neuroscience PhD to guide you if you want to study memory, or an engineer to help you design your robotics experiment. With Infinite Scholars, you aren’t doing a cookie-cutter school project – you’re embarking on an authentic research journey tailored to you. Here’s how working with a Infinite Scholars mentor can significantly increase your chances of success:
- Expert Guidance from Start to Finish: A Infinite Scholars mentor helps you find and refine a research question that is novel yet feasible for you to tackle. This is crucial – picking the right topic can make or break a project. Your mentor will ensure the question is interesting and at the right difficulty level. As you progress, they’ll teach you how to design experiments or structure your analysis properly. Stuck on statistics or a complex concept? They’ll break it down for you. Essentially, you have a personal coach who’s been through the research process many times before.
- Accountability and Momentum: Let’s face it – balancing a long-term research project with school, extracurriculars, and life can be hard. It’s easy for a DIY project to stall. Infinite Scholars mentors provide regular check-ins and goals to keep you on track. They’ll set milestones (literature review done by X date, first draft of paper by Y date, etc.) so that you steadily move forward. This structured yet flexible approach means by the end of the mentorship program, you’ll have a polished piece of research ready for competition or publication.
- High Standards and Constructive Feedback: One big advantage of mentorship is that you’ll know where you stand. Mentors won’t do the work for you, but they will read your drafts, look at your data, and give you honest feedback to improve. This iterative improvement is the same process grad students use with their advisors. By the time you’re done, your research paper or presentation will have gone through multiple rounds of refinement – approaching the quality needed for JEI, SFJ, or that science fair judging panel. Essentially, Infinite Scholars mentorship bridges the gap between student work and professional-level work.
- Insider Tips and Experience: Many Infinite Scholars mentors have themselves published papers, won awards, or reviewed for journals. They can share insider knowledge, like what science fair judges often look for, or how to respond to peer review comments effectively. This kind of insight can save you from common pitfalls. Plus, mentors can often point you to resources – maybe a specific dataset, lab technique, or reference paper – that you wouldn’t easily find on your own.
- Confidence and Support: Perhaps one of the underrated benefits is the moral support. Research can be frustrating at times. Having a mentor to encourage you, celebrate your breakthroughs, and calmly troubleshoot setbacks makes the journey much less daunting. It transforms a potentially isolating project into a collaborative effort. By the end, not only do you have a completed research project, but you’ve also built a relationship with a mentor who believes in you. That confidence will shine through when you submit your paper or stand before the judges.
Infinite Scholars’s program is designed to take you from “I’m interested in research” to “I have a publication-worthy project.” Whether your goal is NeurIPS or Concord Review or anything in between, the one-on-one mentorship model ensures you’re not alone in reaching for it. You’ll acquire skills that last a lifetime and produce work that you’re genuinely proud of.
Your Journey Starts Now – Apply to Infinite Scholars
The opportunities for high school researchers today are truly incredible. Teenagers are publishing in journals, presenting at major conferences, and winning international awards – there’s no reason you can’t be one of them. It takes curiosity, hard work, and yes, the right support system.
If reading about these programs has sparked your excitement, don’t let it end as just a daydream. Take action. You can start a passion project in your garage or school lab tomorrow – and with the right guidance, it could end up on the world stage a year from now.
Infinite Scholars is here to help make that happen. We believe every motivated student deserves the chance to do meaningful research. Our mentors are ready to ignite your potential and guide you step-by-step toward these ambitious goals. By working with Infinite Scholars, you’re not just preparing for a competition or a publication – you’re gaining an experience that will shape your future as a thinker and problem-solver.
Ready to embark on your research journey? Don’t wait for college to chase your scientific or scholarly dreams. Apply to Infinite Scholars today and let us pair you with a mentor who can transform your ambition into achievement. Whether you’re aiming to be the next ISEF winner or the latest author in The Concord Review, your path to excellence can start right now with a single step. We can’t wait to see what you’ll discover!