eCYBERMISSION Awards
Scholarship Sponsored by Army Educational Outreach Program
Overview
eCYBERMISSION is a free, virtual STEM competition for students in grades 6–9 that encourages teams to investigate or solve community problems. The program supports both scientific inquiry and engineering design approaches and culminates in virtual judging and award opportunities. Participation develops research, problem-solving, and collaboration skills while connecting students with mentors and educators. Teams submit a Mission Folder documenting their work to compete at state, regional, and national levels.
Description: A no-cost, online STEM competition for middle school students focusing on real-world community problems.
- Open to students in grades 6–9.
- Virtual format with digital submission via Mission Folders.
- Emphasizes community-focused scientific inquiry and engineering design.
Team Requirements and Project Paths
Teams must consist of 2–4 students and an adult Team Advisor who supports and oversees the project. Each team selects a community problem to investigate or solve and follows one of two project paths: Scientific Inquiry or Engineering Design. The Scientific Inquiry path centers on investigating a problem, while the Engineering Design path emphasizes designing and testing a solution. Clear documentation in the Mission Folder is required for judging.
Team Requirements: 2–4 students, one adult Team Advisor, and a chosen community problem to investigate or solve.
Project Paths: Scientific Inquiry (investigate) or Engineering Design (solve).
- Teams of 2–4 students with an adult advisor.
- Projects address a defined community problem.
- Choose either investigative or design-focused approaches.
Support and Contact
Mission Control provides assistance to participants and is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. For questions about rules, submissions, or technical issues, teams should contact Mission Control by phone or email. Keep documentation and submission deadlines in mind when reaching out to ensure timely support. The program encourages early contact for clarification of rules or judging criteria.
Help Desk: Mission Control is reachable at 1-866-GO-CYBER (462-9237) or [email protected].
- Mission Control hours: Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. ET.
- Phone and email support available for rules and submission questions.
- Contact early for clarifications to avoid last-minute issues.
Awards
eCYBERMISSION presents awards at participant, state, regional, and national levels. Awards combine digital recognition and cash distributions for eligible students, with higher-level winners receiving progressively larger cash awards and recognition. Regional winners additionally receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Judging & Educational Event. All submissions are evaluated via virtual judging to determine advancement and award recipients.
Participant Awards: Mission Folder Submitted — digital certificate and recognition.
State Awards: First-Place State Winners receive $500 cash per student plus a digital certificate; Second-Place State Winners receive $250 cash per student; Honorable Mention receives a digital certificate and recognition.
Regional Awards: Regional Finalists receive a total of $1,000 cash per student (including the state award), a digital certificate, and recognition. Regional Winners receive a total of $2,000 cash per student, a digital certificate, recognition, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Judging & Educational Event.
National Awards: National Winners receive a total of $5,000 cash per student (cumulative with prior awards) plus a certificate and recognition.
- Awards combine digital recognition and cash payments for eligible students.
- Regional winners earn a trip to the National Judging & Educational Event.
- National winners receive the highest cash award per student.
Award Eligibility
Award distribution requires teams to meet judging and documentation standards and satisfy identity and tax requirements. A Mission Folder must achieve a composite score of at least 300 during Virtual Judging for award eligibility. Students must provide a valid Social Security number or proof of Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card) status to receive cash awards; winners complete a Team Validation process that includes confidential document submission. Parents/guardians must upload a W-9 or equivalent tax documentation when requested to enable award distribution.
Eligibility: Minimum composite score of 300, valid SSN or LPR Green Card required for cash awards, completion of Team Validation and tax documentation for award administration; see the eCYBERMISSION Competition Rules for definitions of U.S. Citizen and LPR-Green Card.
- Minimum judging score of 300 required for awards.
- Cash awards require a valid SSN or Lawful Permanent Resident Green Card.
- Team Validation and tax forms (W-9) are mandatory for award distribution.