The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Collegiate Award recognises undergraduate and graduate students in the AiC Community for technical projects that show innovation and potential impact. NCWIT runs it and Bank of America sponsors it.
Applicants compete in three groups: first- and second-years and two-year college students, juniors and seniors, and graduate students. NCWIT’s FAQ says the award is not being offered in 2026–27.
Benefits & funding
- Winners: US$7,500 cash; Honorable Mentions: US$2,500 cash; both also get an engraved award, computing resources and gadgets.
- Finalists: a certificate and public recognition.
- Taxes are the recipient’s; NCWIT may report the value to the IRS on Form 1099.
- Recipients must return an affidavit and IRS W-9 in time or may forfeit all awards.
Eligibility
- A high school graduate (or equivalent) in the free AiC Community; dual-enrollment high school students are not eligible.
- Majoring or minoring in computing or engineering at a post-secondary institution in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands; U.S. citizens at a Canadian institution whose permanent residence stays in the U.S. also qualify.
- A U.S. citizen, permanent resident or someone meeting the IRS substantial presence test, with a U.S. Social Security or Tax ID number.
- Living in the U.S. or on a U.S. overseas military base; U.S. citizens may live in Puerto Rico, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- 18 or older by 1 May 2026 (award page); the applicant guide says by the day you submit.
- Past Collegiate Award Winners, NCWIT employees and their immediate family are barred.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“They are enrolled in a post-secondary institution (community college, college, university, or early college program) in the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands during the 2025-2026 academic year with a major or minor in a computing or engineering discipline.* U.S. citizens who are studying at an institution in Canada, but whose permanent residence remains in the United States are also eligible to apply. … They must reside in the U.S. or on a U.S. overseas military base, or be a U.S. Citizen residing in Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
USA
Residents of USA can also apply.
Residence required
USA · Puerto Rico · Guam · US Virgin Islands
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Join the AiC Community through an aspirations.org college-student account.
- 2Preliminary Round: submit essays and short answers by 8:00 p.m. ET on 18 November 2025.
- 3Finalists, chosen within each group, submit a narrated project presentation (6 minutes at most) and a project advisor’s recommendation by 8:00 p.m. ET on 27 January 2026.
Program timeline
Preliminary Round opened
Sep 1, 2025
Preliminary Round deadline
Nov 18, 2025
Finalist Round opened
Dec 19, 2025
Finalist application and recommendation deadline
Jan 27, 2026
Award not offered
2026–27