AJAS 2026 At-Large Delegate Information

I am interested in attending the NAAS/AJAS 2026 Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ. What if my state doesn’t have an academy that sends students to the AJAS conference?
Every high school student in the United States should have a pathway to attend the NAAS/AJAS Annual Conference, present their original research, and receive a fellowship. If a student believes that they qualify to attend the NAAS/AJAS Annual Conference and receive a fellowship, but lives in a state or region in which there is no possible path to be selected for this honor, then that student can apply to become an At-Large Delegate. However, an at-large application can never be used as a “back door” to the regular process of AJAS admission. If a student lives in a state or region that does nominate students to the AJAS, then that student (1) must gain admission to AJAS only through that academy’s established process and (2) cannot gain alternative admission to the NAAS/AJAS as an At-Large student delegate. 

What is an At-Large Delegate?
An At-Large Student Delegate is a high school student who shows merit to attend the NAAS/AJAS Annual Conference based on the demonstrated exceptional quality of their original STEM research, but lives in a geographic state or region that does not have an academy that nominates students to attend the AJAS. Such a student, therefore, would have no possible path to attend AJAS and then may apply directly to NAAS to be considered as an AJAS At-Large Student Delegate. If an applicant is found acceptable by a panel of NAAS/AJAS evaluators, the applicant would then be invited to register for the Annual Conference with the expectation of receiving an AJAS Fellowship. An At-Large Delegate will not receive any funding from NAAA/AJAS, but would have the same opportunity as any other student to apply for a NAAS/AJAS needs-based scholarship.

How do I become an At-Large Delegate?
Complete the At-Large Delegate Form. The submitted forms and research materials will be reviewed by the AJAS Committee to ensure that they (1) have an original research project that is of the quality required to be presented at the AJAS Poster Session, and (2) they live in a state or region that provides no possible path to attend the Annual Conference.This AJAS committee will be composed of at least three individuals; all will have PhDs (or equivalent) or be senior professionals in their respective career fields. All will have familiarity with past AJAS projects and events. The AJAS Committee may reach out to interview interested students and provide an opportunity for the student to present their research and answer questions. If approved, interested students will be invited to register for the NAAS-AJAS Conference. AJAS At-Large Student applicants are evaluated on an individual basis and are not in competition with each other. There is not a minimum or maximum number of students that AJAS will accept as At-Large Student Delegates.