The Alabama Academy of Science (AAS) hosts the AJAS and Gorgas scholarship competitions.

The 2027 Regional conference for AJAS is March 4th and 5th at Alabama State University as part of the AAS annual conference.  This is the Alabama regional competition to qualify students for the national competition through the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS and www.jshs.org).  The JSHS provides the financial support and scholarships for regional winners.  The JSHS is sponsored by the tri-services and the DOW.  JSHS.org is the national competition and this year it will take place in Chantilly, Virginia, from April 20th through April 25th, 2027.   

Alabama Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) 
AJAS is a research-based scholarship competition.  It is a high school outreach program (grades 9–12) sponsored by the Alabama Academy of Science. It includes Alabama high schools that participate.
This is a scholarship competition.  There are optional local competitions organized around Alabama’s AMSTI sites and a state competition at the AAS annual conference location.  8th graders are encouraged to participate at the local level for experience but are not eligible for awards.

The Gorgas scholarship competition
The Gorgas is for 12th graders only, and is a multifaceted scholarship competition that looks at a student’s achievements, research experience and interests to provide scholarships and varying academic support at Alabama colleges and Universities.  The application entry is due in December and the competition continues into the AAS annual conference location.

Plans and overview for AJAS Gorgas 2026

• Registration Steps:

1. Initial Interest Form: Register here to join the email list and express interest.

2. Local competitions (virtual and optional):

   • If you’d like a pre-regional experience, you may submit a recorded presentation in January of 2026.

   • A Virtual meeting will occur through AMSTI sites, where the recording will be scored and the meeting will consist of you introducing your research and defending it to local judges

Contact:

For questions, email Dr. Mark T. Jones, State Director: jonesmt@troup.org