AJAS 2027 At-Large Delegate Information
Overview
Every high school student in the United States should have a pathway to attend the AJAS Annual Conference, present their original research, and receive an AJAS Fellowship.Students who live in a state or region that does not have a Junior or Senior Academy of Science that nominates students to AJAS may apply to become an At-Large Delegate.
Approved applicants who register, are accepted, attend the conference, and present their original research at the AJAS Poster Session will receive an AJAS Fellowship. Registered At-Large Delegates under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a registered and paid adult chaperone.
An At-Large application cannot be used as an alternative pathway for students whose state already has an established AJAS selection process.
What is an At-Large Delegate?
An At-Large Delegate is a qualified high school student (or in limited cases, a college freshman) who:
- Conducted exceptional original STEM research
- Lives in a state or region without an AJAS nomination pathway
- Demonstrates to an AJAS review committee that the quality of their research reaches the expected level for presentation at the AJAS Poster Session
- A college freshman may attend AJAS, provided that both the research and application were completed entirely before high school graduation.
Eligibility
Students must:
- Be enrolled in high school (or, in limited cases, a college freshman whose submitted research and application was completed entirely before high school graduation).
- Conduct original STEM research
- Live in a state or region without an Academy pathway to AJAS
- Be willing to submit the various required application materials to the AJAS evaluation committee.
- Meet all AJAS research expectations for presentation at the AJAS Poster Session
Review Process
Applications are reviewed by an AJAS Committee composed of experienced scientists and STEM professionals who are familiar with AJAS standards.
The committee evaluates:
- The excellence of original research, based solely on the project's individual merits of scientific quality, originality, and rigor.
- Eligibility for At-Large Delegate status
- Readiness to present at AJAS
Applications are evaluated individually and are not in competition with each other. There is no minimum or maximum number of At-Large Delegates selected each year.
Application Process
The At-Large Delegate Application is the first step in the process. Submitting an application does not register you for the AJAS Annual Conference.
The application is used to determine whether a student meets the eligibility requirements and research quality and originality standards to participate as an AJAS At-Large Delegate.
After review, applicants will receive one of two decisions:
- Approved: Students who are approved as At-Large Delegates will receive an invitation and registration link for the AJAS Annual Conference. Only approved applicants are eligible to register and attend the conference.
- Not Approved: Students whose applications are not approved are not eligible to register for or attend the AJAS Annual Conference as an At-Large Delegate.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am interested in attending the NAAS/AJAS 2027 Annual Conference in Chicago, IL. 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? Do they receive an AJAS Fellowship?
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 will be invited to register for the Annual Conference. If the applicant then registers for the Annual Conference, attends the 2026 NAAS/AJAS and AAAS meetings in Chicago, and presents a poster, in person, at the AAAS poster session on 20 February, then they will be awarded an AJAS Fellowship. An At-Large Delegate will not receive any funding from NAAS/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 students 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.