The initial stage takes applicants 45 minutes on average. We encourage brief notes and bullet points— we want to see how you think, not how well you write!
No, it's 100% free to apply. Our program is 100% free, too, though we request parent donations to help support our work!
Young people—especially if they’re talented and work hard at it—can make a difference. We’re not looking for any existing experience. Many successful fellows started with just their curiosity and a drive to make a difference.
Applicants are eligible if, at the start of the program, they are:
No. Our program helps you generate ideas and connects you with other motivated young people working on important global issues.
We look for applicants who demonstrate:
Initial application:
Select applicants will be invited to the second stage. There, you'll tell us about how you want to make a difference (research ideas not required) and answer critical thinking questions.
Our programs are designed to work together, from learning the basics to conducting original, impactful research. Each program leads to the next, where participants can be invited to progress from:
This allows us to design our process so that each program builds on the skills and insights from the previous one.
If you've not been selected as a Fellow previously, you apply as normal. Our application has been redesigned from last year, so you need to re-apply to be considered for our 2026 programs.
The Non-Trivial Fellowship is open to applicants from around the world. If selected, you can participate regardless of your location. Scholarships are available to most fellows, except for those currently located in a small number of restricted countries (e.g., China, Iran, Russia, and a few others due to legal constraints). If you’re unsure whether this applies to you, feel free to reach out!
The cohort for 2026 is March 9 - April 5.
The program requires a minimum commitment of 5 hours per week, which can be completed on a flexible schedule that works for you.
You'll learn the basics of impactful research and generate impactful research ideas. You'll do that via:
Our optional interdisciplinary curriculum–spanning mathematics, machine learning, biology, economics, and philosophy–helps you apply academic concepts to real-world problems.
We plan to accept approximately 400 Research Foundations Finalists. We may decide to accept more or fewer, e.g. depending on the applications we receive.
The program will be entirely in English. You don't need to be a native English speaker; however, it is important you be able to converse with other participants and facilitators in English.
The Research Fellowship is a 8-week part-time program over the summer. The next program is running from June 15 2026 to August 23 2026.
The program requires a minimum commitment of 10 hours per week, which can be completed on a flexible schedule that works for you.
You'll start your impactful research with mentorship from a facilitator. You'll do that via:
It’s up to you!
We welcome projects on any topic that could make a substantial difference in the world. Previous participants have explored a diverse range of research topics, such as:
We reserve the right to not support any project we think would have a negative impact on the world.
We plan to accept approximately 75 to 100 Research Fellows. We may decide to accept more or fewer, e.g. depending on the applications we receive.
Great!
You're welcome to work on your existing project. While our program focuses on exploration, we can still help with implementation and connect you with a supportive community.
Absolutely! Many of our previous winners completed their projects in groups (and many others did on their own).
Many aspects of our program are designed to help you find someone to work with who shares your interests, such as group events, one-on-one introductory calls, and our fellow database.
There will be an application process for securing funding that would help you pursue and advance your project. This means, for example, purchasing textbooks, courses, technology, or other resources you need to do your project, or personal compensation if your participation in Non-Trivial comes at the cost of paid work that helps to support you or your family. These grants will be distributed based on merit and need, and are not guaranteed. More information and official terms to follow for selected Fellows.
The Research Scholars Program is a prestigious recognition and an ongoing support system after the July - August Fellowship through which we'll help you identify what you need in your research, university path, or career exploration and then help you go get it! This may include expert mentorship, external funding opportunities, professional consultation or networking, and more.
You'll be able to pursue this ongoing support on a flexible schedule that works for you. Once selected as a Scholar, we'll be here to support your next steps when the come along!
We plan to accept approximately 10 Research Scholars. We may decide to accept more or fewer, e.g. depending on the applications we receive.
Three Scholars' projects will be selected for the top $10,000 prizes; all other Scholars will receive at least $2,000 scholarships too, based on our judges' project rankings of progress made, potential impact, and presentation quality.
Scholars must use the funds for the purposes of education and personal development. This means, for example, purchasing textbooks, courses, technology, tuition, tutoring, or supplementing unpaid internships in service of pursuing their research.
You'll back hear from us about whether you were accepted to the Research Foundations by the end of February 2026 at the latest.
Yes! Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when applications for future cohorts open, and to learn about other opportunities.
Unfortunately not. We receive thousands of applications, and aren’t able to provide individualized feedback.
Unfortunately not, the decisions we make are final. However, we hope you apply again for future cohorts.
Since our founding in 2022, we’ve awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships and prizes to talented young people and other programs and competitions that support them. The largest funder of our work has been Open Philanthropy. No funder makes decisions about our curriculum, selection of fellows, judging of projects, or anything else that we do.
Not right now, but you can let us know you might be interested in the future.
You can email Jonah (jonah@non-trivial.org) with your CV/LinkedIn and why you might be interested.
Feedback is crucial to helping us improve – especially critical feedback.
To give us feedback, you can:
Please contact us so we can help you.
Note: We receive a high volume of inquiries and don't have the capacity to reply to every message. However, we read every message and greatly appreciate hearing about issues with the website, application, and programs.
