About this competition
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC) — known from 2010-2022 as the Broadcom MASTERS — is the most prestigious science research competition for U.S. middle schoolers. Roughly 2,500 students are nominated each year from ~400 affiliated science fairs; the top 300 are recognized as Top 300 Scholars, and 30 become Finalists who travel to Washington, D.C.
Unlike most middle-school contests, you cannot register directly. Instead, students place in the top 10% of their local Society-affiliated science fair (the same fair network that feeds ISEF) and that fair's organizers nominate them. Nominees then submit an application online.
The $25,000 top award (the Thermo Fisher ASCEND Award) plus $100,000+ in additional prizes makes this a meaningful credential, but the real signal is the pipeline: many JIC finalists return as ISEF and STS finalists in high school.
Season & deadlines
Qualify through a Society-affiliated science fair held Nov 1 — Jun 1. Online application then due June 10. Top 300 announced September. National Finals in Washington, D.C. in October.
Season window: September through October.
Cost
Free — Free for nominated students. The affiliated upstream fair may have its own entry fee.
Prizes & outcomes
$25,000 ASCEND Award; over $100,000 in total prizes/scholarships; trip to D.C. for 30 Finalists.
Summer research camps for middle schoolers
JIC finalists usually have a head start from a structured summer research experience.
Preparing for the JIC?
Science Fair Research Mentorship is forming the next pilot cohort. Join the interest list — no commitment, no payment, we'll reach out personally.
Past winners
Browse the complete list of winners by year — every district that named a winner is listed.