The National Youth Science Camp is an annual residential STEAM enrichment program run by the National Youth Science Academy in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. Selected delegates learn through expert lectures, directed studies, seminars, arts programming, and outdoor activities.
Most U.S. delegates represent a state or Washington, D.C.; the 2026 international route selected one delegate from each of eight participating countries through U.S. embassies. The program also includes activities in Washington, D.C.
Benefits & funding
- Housing, meals, transportation, and program supplies are provided at no cost to delegates.
- The 2026 camp ran in person for three weeks, from July 11 through August 1.
- Programming includes STEAM lectures, small-group study, arts, seminars, outdoor adventures, and a Washington, D.C. visit.
Eligibility
- U.S. route: applicants must represent a U.S. state or Washington, D.C., and must have graduated from high school between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027.
- International route for 2026: applicants must reside in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, or Trinidad and Tobago; be 16, 17, or 18 on July 1, 2026; have strong spoken English; and be eligible for a J-1 visa.
- Applicants must show strong academic performance and STEAM achievement, interests or achievements beyond STEAM and academics, curiosity, and an intention to pursue higher education and a STEAM-related career.
- International applicants must also document leadership and social maturity through school or community involvement.
- All delegates must be willing and able to participate throughout the full program and meet the stated COVID-19 vaccination or pre-travel testing condition.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Residence required
USA · Argentina · Bolivia · Brazil · Chile · Costa Rica · Mexico · Panama · Trinidad and Tobago
Education required
High School
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Application process
- 1Confirm the correct route and deadline: most U.S. applicants use the online process, Florida, Georgia, and Massachusetts select through state science fairs, Montana uses both routes, and international applicants follow their U.S. embassy coordinator’s instructions.
- 2U.S. online applicants prepare contact, guardian, and school details; a 500–1,000-word interest letter written without generative AI; a résumé; a high-school transcript; GPA and course information; and a recommender’s contact details.
- 3Submit the applicable online, state-fair, or embassy-managed application early enough for the recommender to upload the recommendation by the local deadline.
- 4If selected, accept the invitation and complete delegate paperwork by the stated commitment deadline.
Program timeline
Applications opened.
February 19, 2026
General application deadline.
March 30, 2026
Extended deadline for Alaska, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
April 11, 2026
Most U.S. delegate selections expected by this date.
April 15, 2026
Official invitations expected by this date.
April 20, 2026
Selected delegates’ commitment and paperwork due.
May 1, 2026
Camp started.
July 11, 2026
Camp ended.
August 1, 2026