NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award
ListedCompetition
- Award
- National Winners receive cash and a trip to the Bank of America celebration; the current prize chart does not state the cash amount. National Winners and Honorable Mentions receive an engraved award. Regional Affiliate Winners, Honorable Mentions and Rising Stars receive an engraved medallion. Recognition at a regional event is at the affiliate's discretion.
- Deadline
- Applications September 1, 2026 to October 27, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET. Optional educator endorsement November 5, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET. Under-18 applicants need parent/guardian approval to join the AiC Community before applying.
- How to apply
- Join the free AiC Community, then submit the online award application in English or Spanish. It includes four required written responses of 25 to 250 words each, activities, technology access, family education and AI-use disclosure; project/portfolio links are optional. One optional educator endorsement may be requested after submission and is strongly recommended for national consideration.
- What you'll need
- A separate scholarship application
- A short essay or statement
- Who can apply
- Grades 9 to 12, age 13 or older at account creation, involved in technology and attending a school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands or on a U.S. overseas military base. Under-18 students need guardian approval for Community membership. National designations additionally require U.S. citizenship, permanent residence or the IRS substantial presence test, plus a U.S. tax identification or Social Security number. NCWIT staff, contractors, board members and their specified family/household members are excluded. Prior National Winners cannot win again; regional repeat awards are discretionary.
- Good to know
- Canada has a separate award route. There is no gender restriction in the current award eligibility rules. AI tools are allowed with disclosure and authentic personal responses. National Winners must return tax information and a notarized travel waiver and book travel on time or risk forfeiture; award value may be reported on Form 1099.
- Details
- STEMPermanent residents eligible