The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award recognises 9th–12th graders for their interest and achievements in computing, from beginners to advanced coders. It is run by NCWIT and sponsored by Bank of America, Critical Role Foundation, Jane Street and Microsoft.
Applicants are considered at once for National awards and for Regional Affiliate awards, which 79 local programs decide. Students at schools in Canada use a separate Aspirations Canada route.
Benefits & funding
- National Winners: a cash prize (amount not published), a trip to a celebration with Bank of America, and an engraved award.
- National Honorable Mentions: an engraved award.
- Regional Affiliate Winners, Honorable Mentions and Rising Stars: a customised medal; any tier may be recognised at a regional event, at the affiliate’s discretion.
- National Winners must return a notarised travel waiver and tax ID details in time or risk forfeiting all awards.
Eligibility
- In grades 9–12 and at least 13 when creating the aspirations.org account.
- Attending a school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands or on a U.S. overseas military base; Regional awards set no citizenship rule. Canada route (Aspirations Canada): a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or temporary resident at a high school, not on an exchange.
- A member of the free AiC Community; under-18s need parent/guardian approval by the approval deadline.
- National awards only: U.S. citizen, permanent resident or meeting the IRS substantial presence test, with a U.S. Social Security or Tax Identification Number.
- Barred: NCWIT employees and their immediate family; past National Winners cannot win nationally again.
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 attend a school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or on a U.S. overseas military base. … They are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or a temporary resident attending high school (not participating in an exchange program)” Eligibility
Education required
High School
Age requirement
≥ 13 yrs
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Application process
- 1Join the AiC Community (registration is open year-round), with parent/guardian approval if under 18.
- 2Submit the online application by 10:00 p.m. ET on 27 October 2026.
- 3Optionally ask one educator to endorse you after you submit; it is due by 10:00 p.m. ET on 5 November 2026 and strongly recommended for National consideration.
Program timeline
Second online applicant Q&A session (Zoom)
Oct 21, 2026
Application deadline (10:00 p.m. ET)
Oct 27, 2026
Educator endorsement deadline (10:00 p.m. ET)
Nov 5, 2026
National Award notifications
January 2027
Regional Affiliate Award notifications
By end of February 2027