Frequently Asked Questions

Qu. I have not yet turned 14, am I able to participate? 

Ans. If you are not yet 14, you may still be able to enter, this depends on when your 14th birthday falls. We know that some classes include pupils who are 13 and 14, but the Young Science Writer Award is open to 14–16 year olds only.

If you turn 14 on or before the deadline (Thursday 19 March 2026), you are eligible and you are very welcome to submit an entry.

If you turn 14 after the deadline, you won’t be eligible this year. In that case, we would love you to use the time to develop your ideas and submit to the 2027 competition instead.

Qu. Am I a student at an eligible school?

Ans. Eligibility is based on the type of school you attend, not your individual circumstances. The Young Science Writer Award is open to pupils aged 14–16 who attend a UK state-funded, non-selective secondary school. In practice, you are likely eligible if your school is one of the following:

• A mainstream local authority secondary school
• A comprehensive academy
• A community school
• A state-funded faith school that is non-selective

You are not eligible if you attend a school that is:

• Fee-paying (independent/private)
• Selective (for example, a grammar school or any school that selects by academic ability)

If you are unsure, the simplest check is to ask a teacher whether your school is state-funded and non-selective. If you still have questions, contact us with your school name and postcode, and we’ll confirm eligibility. You can reach out to [email protected]

Qu. Can I take part if I am home-schooled?

Ans. The Young Science Writer Award is primarily open to pupils aged 14–16 in UK state-funded, non-selective secondary schools. However, we do accept entries from pupils who are home-schooled due to a disability, where home education is the appropriate arrangement for that pupil.

If this applies to you, please ask a parent/guardian (or your supporting professional/education contact, where appropriate) to get in touch with us so we can confirm eligibility and the correct submission route.

Qu. I have entered before. Can I enter again?

Ans. Yes, previous entrants are very welcome to enter again, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria this year (including age and school eligibility). We love seeing pupils return, because science writing is a skill that strengthens with practice.

Your new entry must be an original essay written for this year’s competition (not a re-submission of past work), and it must follow the current rules on word count, format, and academic integrity.

Qu. Can I submit more than one entry?

Ans. No - please submit one entry only.

We limit entries to one per pupil so that judging is fair and so everyone has the same opportunity to develop and submit their strongest work. If you have written more than one piece, choose the essay you are most proud of, refine it carefully, and submit a single final PDF.

If you accidentally submit more than one version, we will normally assess the most recent eligible submission before the deadline, but we strongly encourage you to avoid duplicate uploads wherever possible.

Qu. Where can I find information of essay length, the use of references and submission details? 

Ans. You can find all the details you need to help you with your essay submission on our dedicated information pages.

Qu. Can I submit a previously published essay (e.g., something from my school newspaper)?

Ans. In most cases, no. Your entry should be new, original work written specifically for this year’s competition. This keeps the process fair and ensures all pupils are working to the same brief, within the same timeframe.

If your essay has been published before (for example, in a school newspaper, blog, magazine, or online), it will usually be ineligible. If you are unsure whether something counts as “published” (for example, it was shared internally in school), please contact us with a brief explanation and we’ll advise.

Qu. Can I request an extension to my essay submission?

Ans. If you believe you need an extension due to extenuating circumstances, please contact us as soon as the issue arises and well in advance of the deadline (Thursday 19 March 2026). We will consider requests on a case-by-case basis, but we can only do so if we are notified before the closing date. Requests submitted after the deadline are unlikely to be approved, as we must keep the competition fair and consistent for all entrants.

Qu. Will I receive confirmation that my essay was submitted?

Ans. Yes. As soon as you upload your essay, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from Jot Form, the platform we use to collect submissions. This email acts as your receipt that we have received your entry and that it has been logged for the judging process. If you do not receive the confirmation, please check your junk/spam folder and then contact us for support.

Qu. If I am the winner, one of the runners-up or a highly commended entrant do I need to attend the awards ceremony?

Ans. No - you do not have to attend in order to win.

If you are shortlisted or selected as a winner, we will invite you (and your parent/guardian and, where appropriate, a teacher) to attend the Awards Ceremony, but attendance is not compulsory. We understand that travel, caring responsibilities, exams, health needs, or other commitments can make it difficult to attend. That said, we will try and support you as far as possible to attend as it is an outstanding opportunity to be recognised for your work and to meet science writers and journalists - something that has accelerated the education and careers of past winners.

If you cannot be there on the day, we will work with you to make sure you are still recognised appropriately - for example, by confirming your award directly, sharing any announcements you are comfortable with, and arranging delivery of prizes/certificates after the event.

Qu. Who will judge my essay?

Ans. A full list of judges will be published shortly after the submission deadline. Our judging panels are typically made up of experienced science communicators, including science journalists and editors connected with the ABSW, writers and contributors from established media outlets, published science authors, and scientists and engineers from leading academic and research institutions.

Judges are selected for their subject expertise and, crucially, for their ability to assess how effectively an essay explains science to a non-specialist audience—with clarity, accuracy, and engaging writing.