You have spent weeks on your research. You have a question, a method, findings, and a written paper. Now the real question is: what do you do with it?
Most high school students stop at the science fair. The ones who stand out do not. Submitting your research paper to an academic conference is one of the highest-impact moves you can make before college. It puts your work in front of real reviewers, earns you a publication credit, and shows admissions committees something a GPA simply cannot.
Here are seven conferences where high school students can submit original research, along with exactly where to apply.
Why Conferences Matter More Than You Think
A conference submission is not just an extracurricular. It is proof that you can produce work that meets an academic standard. Many of these programs offer scholarships, mentorship connections, and in some cases, all-expenses-paid national events. The application process itself teaches you how peer review works, which is a skill most students do not encounter until graduate school.
1. International Young Researchers' Conference (IYRC)
Best For: All disciplines including STEM, humanities, social science, and interdisciplinary research
The IYRC is one of the most accessible and globally recognized platforms for high school researchers. It has accepted over 735 research works from students across 25+ countries, with past conferences hosted at Columbia University, Stanford University, and the University of Tokyo.
For IYRC Summer 2026, students submit a 750 to 1,500 word abstract covering their objective, methods, findings, and implications. Accepted papers are published in the IYRC Journal with a DOI, which is a citable academic credential. Both in-person and virtual participation are available.
Apply here: https://www.the-iyrc.org/iyrc-summer-2026.html
2. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS)
Best For: U.S. students in grades 9 through 12 pursuing original STEM research
JSHS is one of the oldest student research programs in the country, sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. Students submit a research report to a regional competition first. Top performers advance to a national symposium, which is fully funded. The program has historically awarded over $400,000 in scholarships and is free to enter.
Note that the national program is currently suspended, but several regional programs are actively running. The Connecticut symposium, for example, is scheduled at UConn Health on February 28, 2026.
Find your region: https://www.competitionsciences.org/competitions/junior-science-and-humanities-symposium/
Connecticut regional (active 2026): https://ctjshs.com/
3. NeurIPS High School Projects Track
Best For: High school students working in machine learning or AI for social good
NeurIPS is one of the most prestigious AI research conferences in the world. It ran a dedicated High School Projects Track in 2024, which received over 330 submissions from students globally. Finalists presented virtually, and the top five projects were invited to an award ceremony in Vancouver. Every submission must represent independent student work.
Important note: NeurIPS 2026 will be held in Sydney Australia 6-12 December 2026. Students interested in AI research should monitor the NeurIPS website each fall, as calls for submissions typically open in late summer.
Check for updates here: https://neurips.cc/Conferences/2025
4. AMIA Annual Symposium: High School Scholars Competition
Best For: Students who have participated in a biomedical informatics research program
The American Medical Informatics Association runs a High School Scholars Competition within its annual symposium. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in high school as of September 1, 2025, and must have conducted their research as part of a recognized biomedical informatics program or lab. This is not open to independent research outside that context.
Submissions are individual; group submissions are not accepted. Students submit a research paper and a short presentation of no more than 10 minutes and 12 slides. Accepted students attend educational sessions and network alongside clinicians and academics, which is a rare opportunity at the high school level.
Learn more and apply: https://amia.org/education-events/amia-2025-annual-symposium/high-school-scholars
5. RIT Student Research in Communication Conference
Best For: Students researching journalism, media, digital marketing, public relations, or AI in communication. Students who have papers that are work in progress are also welcome to apply.
Rochester Institute of Technology hosts an annual conference that explicitly welcomes high school student researchers alongside undergraduates and graduate students. The official RIT page states that graduate, undergraduate, and high school students are all invited to submit research papers. Topics include health communication, advertising, corporate communication, and artificial intelligence in media. The 2026 conference is scheduled for April 2, 2026.
This is particularly valuable for students whose research does not fit neatly into STEM.
Register here: https://www.rit.edu/liberalarts/student-research-in-communication-conference
6. SARC: Student Academic Research Competition
Best For: Students aged 13 to 18 in any academic discipline who prefer an online format Students are required to submit a proposal. Check out our guide on How to Write Winning Abstracts for Student Conference Proposals!
SARC is designed specifically for high school students and accepts research across science, technology, humanities, economics, and social science. It runs entirely online, which removes the need to travel. There is a registration fee of $15 to $20 per student, so it is not free, but it remains one of the more affordable entry points into formal academic competition.
If you are a strong researcher looking for a low-barrier first submission experience, SARC is a practical starting point.
Apply here: https://www.researchcomp.org/
7. MIT Undergraduate Research Technology Conference (URTC) — High School Track
Best For: High school students in STEM who are working with a faculty or university mentor.
A more accurate and verifiable option than citing IEEE broadly is the MIT URTC, which includes a specific high school track. Students must be working under the supervision of a faculty-affiliated mentor, and submissions go through peer review. Accepted papers are published in the IEEE Xplore digital library, giving students a genuine IEEE-indexed publication credit.
Learn more here: https://urtc.mit.edu/
Before You Submit: Three Things That Matter Most
Have a specific research question. A broad topic is not a paper. Reviewers want to see a clear problem, a defined method, and results that mean something.
Read the submission guidelines twice. Formatting errors and missed word counts are among the most common reasons good papers get rejected.
Apply to more than one conference. Timelines often overlap. Submitting to two or three programs simultaneously gives you better odds and more learning from the process.
RISE Research offers 1-on-1 research mentorship for high school students looking to strengthen college applications for Ivy League and top-tier universities. Under the guidance of PhD mentors, students conduct independent research, get published in peer-reviewed journals, and win international awards.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
PAA / FAQ
Q: Can I submit the same paper to more than one conference?
A: Generally yes, but read each conference's policy carefully. Some competitions require that the work has not been previously published or presented elsewhere. If a conference publishes accepted papers with a DOI, submitting that same paper elsewhere afterward may create a conflict. When in doubt, disclose prior submissions in your cover note.
Q: What happens after I submit?
A: Most conferences will acknowledge receipt of your submission, then notify you of the decision within four to eight weeks. If accepted, you will typically be asked to prepare either an oral presentation or a poster. Some conferences, like IYRC, offer virtual presentation options. Use the preparation period to practice your presentation with a teacher or mentor before the actual event.
Author: Written by Shana Saiesh
Shana Saiesh is a sophomore at Ashoka University pursuing a BA (Hons.) in English with minors in International Relations and Psychology. She works with education-focused initiatives and mentorship-driven programs, contributing to operations, research and editorial work. Alongside her academics, she is involved in student-facing reports that combine research, strategy, and communication.
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