Scholars’ Compass

📰 GET PUBLISHED: The STEM Spectrum Summer 2026 Journal — Submissions Open! The STEM Spectrum is a global student-run STEM & humanities journal (2M+ reach, 100+ countries, chapters in 25+ places — including Kazakhstan!). They're accepting articles and research papers for their Summer 2026 issue. 🧬 What to submit: Research papers (max 4000 words) or articles (max 2000 words) on any intriguing STEM or humanities topic — with a bibliography and in-text citations 👥 Eligibility: All high school students, any country, any grade — no restrictions 💰 Cost: Free ⚠️ Important: NO AI-generated content allowed — instant rejection if detected ⏰ Deadline: July 30, 2026 (exact time not specified — submit early to be safe!) — that's just over 2 weeks away, Astana time (UTC+5) 🔗 Submit here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIjH0dVTxf57qadUJ-0PjcsjJEb5nlDEkIOp30E1RXm1AJXQ/viewform ℹ️ More info: https://www.thestemspectrum.org/submit Great for your college resume — about 10% of submissions get published

🧠 Get a leadership role at an international neuroscience organization — NeuroSphere is opening up its next Leadership Team. NeuroSphere is an international youth-led neuroscience & psychology education organization (500,000+ reach, 15,000+ members). They're opening 9 leadership roles, fully virtual, open to high schoolers and undergrads worldwide. Open positions: 🔹 Research & Programs Assistant (x1) 🔹 Research Publication Review Coordinator (x1) 🔹 Member Experience & Engagement Assistant (x1) 🔹 Director of Podcast Operations (x1) 🔹 Podcast Host (x1) 🔹 Podcast Editor (x1) 🔹 Social Media & Content Manager (x1) 🔹 Influencer Marketing Coordinator (x4) 🔹 Digital Content Coordinator (x4) 📍 Eligibility: High school & undergrad students, anywhere in the world. Must be able to work online. 💰 Cost: Free (volunteer/unpaid leadership role) ⏰ Deadline: August 15, 11:59 PM PST → 12:59 PM, Aug 16 Astana time. No extensions. 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DakZcVkpKj6/?igsh=YzZuOW1sNG1va3Q0 📝 Apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfD4VabfhWdHaoct1JbsFq8SeAUrPnUXSRcr3fxvYSgtQT7zw/viewform

🎓 FREE Summer Camp at MAHE Dubai — Deadline Extended to July 20! Grade 11 & 12 students (plus Grade 10s curious about future majors) — this is a zero-cost way to test-drive university life before you even apply anywhere. 🔹 What you get: — Hands-on workshops across Engineering & IT, Business, Design & Architecture, Health & Life Sciences, Psychology, Media, Liberal Arts & more 💰 Cost: Completely FREE — no registration fee 📋 Eligibility: Grade 11 & 12 students, Grade 12s awaiting results, and interested Grade 10s ⏰ Deadline: 20 July 2026 (Astana time, UTC+5) — extended due to high demand, so don't wait 🔗 Program details (full brochure): https://manipaluae-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/tuan_fahad_manipaldubai_com/IgCcIuZOqfsQRbq92pzzFgDjAU0Daxwph8iZiBBV__Tp_2I?e=McCNn3 🔗 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/h8XKNLMNmD Seats are limited ❓ Questions? Contact Sagar Paul (MAHE Dubai, Lead – Corporate & School Outreach): sagar.paul@manipaldubai.com | +971 564275858

🩺 BECOME A MENTOR: MedHub Global is Looking for Teen Volunteers MedHub Global is a new, student-led social initiative providing free science & language education (Biology, Chemistry, English) to underprivileged children across the CIS. They're building their volunteer mentor team — and looking for ambitious students to lead the way. 📚 Subjects needed: 🧬 Biology 🧪 Chemistry 🇬🇧 English (General English) ✅ Eligibility: Age 14+ (Grade 8 and above) Solid knowledge of your chosen subject English mentors: B1+ level required Responsible, punctual, good with kids Classes can be taught in English, Kazakh, Russian 🎁 What you get: A real international social-impact project for your university portfolio Official volunteer certificate + Letter of Recommendation (for top contributors) Community of ambitious students across the CIS, shared uni-prep experience 💰 Cost: Free to apply ⏰ Deadline: Not specified — rolling applications 🔗 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekICUSdhNaD910cpO5eVDy900ROvMLMTbDCHmN2_i01xfOhw/viewform 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaBK81vF5tp/?igsh=MTc2ZjdrczFicWhpbg%3D%3D

📚 Polygence Research Program — 1-on-1 research mentorship for HS students 🎓 Work with a mentor from a top university on a paper, app, podcast, or prototype — your topic, your pace ⏰ Rolling admissions — next deadline: July 15, 2026 💰 Paid program (Core ≈$3,000 USD, Pods from ≈$495 — confirm exact cost when applying; financial aid available) 🌍 100% online, open to international students, no grade restriction 🔗 https://www.polygence.org/program

🔥 Через несколько дней стартует Essay Marathon от NextGen Academy Это интенсив по написанию сильного личного эссе — того самого текста, который часто решает, поступишь ты или нет. Что тебя ждёт: 📝 5 вебинаров — разбираем, как писать сильное эссе, и работаем с реальными эссе участников ⚡️ теория и практика в одном формате 💬 обратная связь на каждом этапе 🏆 финальный конкурс эссе от NextGen Academy — по окончании обучения в нём участвуют все ученики 🎓 сертификат участника 📅 Старт: 11 июля ⏳ Набор открыт до: 10 июля 👥 Мест: всего 20 💸 Участие: 25 000 ₸ Наши ученики уже: 🎓 поступали на Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes с 100% грантом 🏅 побеждают и берут призы в Lumiere Essay Prize ✈️ поступают на международные летние программы 💰 получают образовательные гранты и стипендии 👉 Записаться → https://www.instagram.com/nextgen.start?igsh=MTV5bDlsNndycDNpNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr или 8 778 687 54 54

⏰ DEADLINE ALERT — Don't miss these! ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🖥️ TechVision Republican Youth Hackathon 💰 4,000 KZT/team — price increases after tomorrow! 📅 Early bird: July 5 | Final submission: July 21, 23:59 🔗 https://techvision-tawny.vercel.app 💻 Girls Who Code — Pathways Program 🆓 FREE | Grades 9–12, girls & non-binary students 📅 Early deadline: July 8 🔗 https://girlswhocode.com/summerapply 🎓 Admittedly Scholars — Free College Counseling 🆓 FREE | Rising seniors, low-income background 📅 Deadline: July 10, 11:59 PM PST → July 11, 11:59 AM Astana time 🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7YZxNeRt8pr5ZxdfxFQhC0rTTacATdsMZ0teNWb6fPpP1Uw/formResponse 🌐 GPSI — Pioneer Academics × UNC Chapel Hill 💰 $3,100 (need-based aid available) 📅 Deadline: July 12, 11:59 PM ET → July 13, 04:59 AM Astana time 🔗 https://apply.pioneeracademics.com/portal/apply-gpsi

📝 GET YOUR STEM RESEARCH PUBLISHED — AND WIN CASH The STEM Spectrum (TSS) is accepting articles for their 2026 summer review cycle. Get featured in their journal or annual magazine — and optionally compete for cash prizes with the same submission. 🆓 FREE to enter ✅ Eligibility: Open to students internationally (high schoolers welcome) 📌 What to submit: Research Paper / Research Article / Instructional Article on any STEM or interdisciplinary topic 📏 Max 2000 words (articles) or 4000 words (papers) 📚 Must include a bibliography + in-text citations ⚠️ Zero AI tolerance — any AI-generated or AI-edited content = instant rejection + blacklist 🏆 Optional Writing Contest (just opt in on the same form): 🥇 1st — $200 🥈 2nd — $100 🥉 3rd — $50 📅 Deadline: July 30, 2026 (end of day, Astana time) 🔗 Submit here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIjH0dVTxf57qadUJ-0PjcsjJEb5nlDEkIOp30E1RXm1AJXQ/viewform 🔗 More info: https://www.thestemspectrum.org/submit Only ~3% of submissions got published last cycle — check their example articles before writing, quality and fit matter more than volume.

📚 RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION Looking for detailed, insider-level info on universities worldwide? Currently covering HKU, CUHK, HKUST, CityU, and their mainland China campuses (CUHK-Shenzhen, HKUST-Guangzhou), with more universities added regularly. https://t.me/roadtouniv breaks down individual universities in depth — tuition costs, scholarship thresholds, campus life, dorms, halal food availability, program rankings by school, and admission specifics (SAT/IELTS benchmarks). 👉 https://t.me/roadtouniv

📱 US Medicine & Disease Olympiad (USMDO) 2026 — Open to International Students! The USMDO is the qualifying exam for the International Medicine and Disease Olympiad (IMDO) — and here's the key part: it's open to U.S. students AND to students from any country without its own national Medicine and Disease Olympiad. Kazakhstan qualifies! 🇰🇿 (confirmed directly on the official registration form) A great pick for anyone eyeing pre-med, biology, or healthcare-related majors abroad. 📝 What it is: A 2-hour, 160-question multiple-choice exam covering: 🔹 Cell Biology & Genetics 🔹 Human Physiology 🔹 Human Disease 📅 Exam date: August 2, 2026, 3:00 PM–11:59 PM PT 🕒 In Astana time: August 3, 2026, 3:00 AM–11:59 AM (UTC+5) (You get a window to log in and start — no need to be online at the exact start time) ⏰ Registration deadline: July 26, 2026, 11:59 PM PT 🕒 In Astana time: July 27, 2026, 11:59 AM (UTC+5) 💰 Cost: $10 USD registration fee 📚 Before you register: Go through the official study materials and topic list here — this is where the exam content is drawn from: https://www.usmdo.org/competition-info ✅ Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxVLJRKsos0UJv5WPOF5u9yO0pv5hFvod0WOnKHPM8eOGAnQ/viewform 🌐 More info: https://www.usmdo.org/usmdoreg

🌟 For STEM high school students — turn your knowledge into leadership! GirlSphere is looking for mentors for their Summer 2026 Cohort — a free, global STEM mentorship program. You'd be mentoring, not being mentored — great leadership experience for college apps. 🆓 100% FREE TO APPLY ✅ Eligibility: At least 14 years old Fluent in English Knowledgeable in your chosen STEM topic Able to respond to communications promptly Open to all genders as mentors (program serves female & non-binary mentees) 🎯 What you'll gain: Leadership & mentorship experience for college/scholarship apps Letter of Recommendation Volunteer hours Certificate of Completion (where applicable) 📝 Mentor responsibilities: Guide and support assigned mentees Lead discussions/activities in your expertise area Communicate consistently and respectfully Attend required sessions throughout the cohort 📅 KEY DATES: Program runs: Week of June 26 – August 23, 2026 Application deadline: July 10, 2026 — apply now! 🔗 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-ZdVlK0VuNx9wjljGT1ttclaxHSXLhxKDzby_RojI3EjRMw/viewform 📷 More info on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaQQhUlsGGd/ 📧 Contact: girlscommunication@gmail.com

✍️ Win up to $25,000. Essay Competition | Deadline: July 31, 2026 The Fountainhead Essay Contest by the Ayn Rand Institute Read a novel. Write an essay. 📌 What it is An annual international essay contest by the Ayn Rand Institute — a nonprofit founded in 1985. Running for 30+ years, it has awarded substantial prizes to students worldwide. Write an 800–1,600 word essay responding to prompts on Ayn Rand's novel The Fountainhead, exploring themes of individualism, creativity, and integrity. 🏆 Prizes — Grand prize: $25,000 — Additional prizes: $1,000–$3,000 ✅ Eligibility — Grades 8–12, ages 13+ — Open to students worldwide 🗓 Deadline: July 31, 2026 💰 Cost: Free to enter 🌐 Apply: https://aynrand.org/students/essay-contests/the-fountainhead

🔬 Free online STEM program. The Junior Academy — NYAS 🗓 Deadline: July 2, 2026 💰 Cost: Free 🌍 Open to: Ages 13–17 globally 🗣 Language: English (proficiency assessed during application) ⏱ Commitment: 3–4 hours/week during challenge periods 📌 What it is: Students collaborate online with international peers to solve real-world STEM challenges through the Launchpad platform. Results announced August 31, 2026. 🔗 Apply: https://gsa.smapply.io/prog/student_programs_/ 🔗 More info: https://www.nyas.org/learning/high-school-research-programs/the-junior-academy/

🖥️ Republican Youth Hackathon — TechVision 💰 Cost: 4,000 KZT per team (until July 5 — price increases after) Build a working digital product (MVP) and pitch it to investors and industry experts. You pick the problem, the stack, the architecture — full creative freedom. 👥 Who: High school students & university students 🌍 Format: Hybrid — online development + offline grand final in Astana (Nazarbayev University) 👤 Team size: 2–4 people 🏆 Prize pool: 500,000+ KZT + merch + partner certificates 📌 Tracks: Smart City & GreenTech · Social & Human Capital · Digital Economy & Future Tech 📅 Timeline: July 5 — Early bird deadline (4,000 KZT/team) July 17 — Cases published, development begins July 21, 23:59 — Project submission deadline ⬅️ July 22–23 — Online judging July 24 — Finalists announced July 27 — Grand Final at Nazarbayev University, Astana 🔗 Register: https://techvision-tawny.vercel.app 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/techvisonn

🇰🇿 QAZAQ DREAM — общенациональный творческий конкурс «Какой Казахстан сделает твою мечту реальной?» Открытый конкурс для всех, кто хочет высказаться — через кино или слово. 🎬 Кинематограф — короткометражки и видеоролики до 3 минут (игровое, документальное) ✍️ Литература и публицистика — эссе до 3 страниц А4, Times New Roman 12 🏆 Гран-при в каждой номинации: 3 000 000 ₸ 💸 Участие бесплатное 📋 Кто может участвовать: любой желающий, независимо от города и возраста 🗓 Приём заявок: 15 июня — 31 августа 2026 🏅 Церемония награждения: 10 декабря 2026 📎 Положение о конкурсе: https://qazdream.kgforum.kz/documents/Положение о проведении общенационального конкурса Qazaq Dream.pdf 🌐 Сайт: https://qazdream.kgforum.kz/ru 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qazaq_dream_kgf/