Young Epidemiology Scholars

Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) is a United States scholarship program in the area of public health. It is sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and administered by the College Board. The entry deadline for the 2007-08 competition is 5:00 E.T. February 4, 2008. The 2007-08 YES Competition will take place in Washington, DC, April 4-7, 2008.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Safe Weighing Range Ensures Accurate Results

Daily Visual Balance Check

Goals

The program's goal is to inspire students to do epidemiology research, and to inspire students to explore the broad field of public health. Such research can involve many different topics, including disease, social networking, methods of health education, and sports injuries.

Awards

The program offers up to 120 scholarships each year, for a total award amount of $456,000. All students entering submit their paper to the program no later than the beginning of February. Of all submissions:

• 60 Semifinalists are chosen and given a $1000 scholarship.
• 60 Finalists, 10 from each region of the country, are chosen to compete at a higher level. They receive an expense paid trip to the entire national competition in Washington, D.C.

In Washington

At the regional finals level, the 60 finalists are also judged by a presentation to a group of judges, as well as a question and answer session. Of all the regional finalists,

• 48 (8 of each region) receive a $2000 scholarship.
• 12 (2 of each region) are selected at National Finalists

The National Finalists then present again to a national panel in the same format as before. Awards for the national finalists are as follows.

• 6 awards of $15,000.
• 2 awards of $20,000.
• 2 awards of $35,000.
• 2 awards of $50,000.

Last Year's Winners

Megan Blewett from Madison High School in Madison, N.J. for her project entitled "A Space/Time Epidemiological Comparison of Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Sclerosis."

William Slack from Decatur High School in Decatur, Ga. for his project entitled "Teen Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use: A social network examination."

Sponsoring Organizations

• The College Board

• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation