Eligibility
The 2009-10 YES Competition for students is open only to juniors and seniors who will graduate from high school no later than September 1, 2011. You must be a citizen or permanent resident (holding a green card) of the United States and enrolled in and attending a high school located in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Mariana Islands. Home-Schooled students who reside in the countries listed above are also eligible. U.S. citizens who are attending American and International schools abroad, or participating in a study abroad program during 2009-10, are not eligible. Only one project per student is accepted. Team projects are not eligible.
If you were previously selected as a YES national finalist and awarded a YES scholarship of $15,000 or more, you are not eligible to compete for a second year. Otherwise, if you meet all other eligibility criteria, you may reapply to the competition by submitting a Research Report consisting of new and original research. You may not submit the same topic as you did in a previous year unless you have significantly advanced your research (e.g., adding substantive new data, analysis, or other material).
Participating as a Regional Finalist
Regional Finalists are required to attend the YES National Event, which takes place in Washington, D.C., in April, 2010. The YES National Event is intended to provide you with the opportunity to present your research, and to compete with other students across the nation. The primary purpose of the program's mission is the opportunity for you to meet, present in front of, and interact with like-minded peers and accomplished public health professionals. An important goal is for you to learn about epidemiology and public health through a variety of activities. A sample event agenda is below.
In support of the program's mission, Regional Finalists are expected to take part in all activities throughout the weekend. Additionally, each student must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone. Due to the very tight scheduling requirements of this competition, adjustments to the activity schedule are extremely difficult and special accommodations cannot be guaranteed. If, as a Regional Finalist, you are unable to participate in all scheduled activities, your award status will be that of Semifinalist, and you will receive a $1,000 scholarship award. Therefore, before submitting a Research Report, you are strongly encouraged to determine your availability to ensure that conflicting personal obligations do not prevent you from participating in all activities throughout the entire event.
Sample Event Agenda
| Friday | |
| 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Arrival and hotel check-in |
| 12 noon - 4:30 p.m. | Registration |
| 5 - 6:55 p.m. | Student welcome dinner |
| 7:15 - 7:30 p.m. | Student orientation |
| 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Student social |
| Saturday | |
| 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Regional Finalist presentations (60 competitors) |
| 3 - 3:30 p.m. | Student portraits |
| 4 - 7 p.m. | Student activity and outside group photo |
| 7 - 9:30 p.m. | Student dinner |
| Sunday | |
| 9 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. | National Finalist presentations (12 competitors) |
| 4:15 - 7 p.m. | Television interviews for the 12 National Finalists |
| 7 - 9:30 p.m. | Recognition dinner |
| 9:30 - 10 p.m. | Photographs |
| Monday | |
| 8:30 - 10 a.m. | Awards ceremony |
| 10 - 11 a.m. | Brunch |
| 11 a.m. - 12 noon | National Event concludes |
To enter the competition, you must register online and upload a written Research Report of your research project by February 1, 2010, 9 a.m. Eastern Time. Reports sent via email, fax, or mail are not accepted.
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