Frequently Asked Questions

The honest answers to the questions that hold many first-time student researchers back!

Why should I pick inCABS?

Too often, high school students doing meaningful research have to wait until college before they have the opportunity to share their work with a serious audience and demonstrate what they can do. inCABS was created to change that. It’s a conference created by high school students, for high school students, where you can take your research beyond your classroom or school and present it alongside work from students at the same stage of their academic journey. You’ll discover research from students with different experiences and perspectives, exchange ideas, and see what young researchers around the world are capable of. Whether you’re looking for feedback, a challenge, new connections, or simply a place to share your work, inCABS allows you to be heard and make your research part of something bigger. You don’t have to wait until college to show what you can do!

Do I need a lab or expensive equipment?

No. Several tracks, like T3, Responsible AI, Ethics, and Policy, are analysis and writing-based, not wet-lab-based. Track T2 covers computational and bioinformatics work as well as laboratory science, so a laptop and a dataset can be enough for a real contribution.

What is the early registration deadline?

The early registration deadline is May 14, 2027. Regular registration opens on May 15, 2027 and stays open until the conference. Both are listed on the Registration page and in the full schedule on Key Dates.

Do I need a professor or mentor?

The Call for Papers does not require one either way. Individual submissions are explicitly welcome, so you are eligible to submit on your own. If a teacher or mentor is willing to advise you, that is genuinely helpful, but it is not a requirement.

What if my results are negative, or inconclusive?

That is normal science, not a failed project. The required paper sections themselves say "results (where applicable)," and "limitations" is one of the required sections too, because the review process expects you to discuss what your research could not answer, not just what it could. Read more on the Submission page.

What if I'm the only person at my school doing this?

That’s completely okay! Both individual and team submissions are welcome. You do not need a research group, school club, or other students from your school to participate. If you’re pursuing research independently, you’re encouraged to submit your work to inCABS.

What if my project fits more than one track?

That's fine! Pick whichever track your work leans on most. Reviewers with relevant expertise are assigned based on the track you select, and they judge the substance of your work, not which single label you chose. See Tracks for the full list.

What if I've never written a research paper before?

That’s completely okay - inCABS is open to first-time researchers too! Start with the Submission page, which walks you through what goes into a research paper, section by section, and includes a visual example of a properly formatted page. Every submission follows the same structure, whether it’s your first research paper or your fifth, so you don’t need prior conference or publishing experience to get started.

Can my team include students from different schools or countries?

Absolutely! Teams may include students from different schools and different countries. There are no geographic restrictions on participation, and teammates do not need to attend the same school. Each student’s school, including a homeschool or equivalent educational program, must simply be recognized by the Ministry of Education or equivalent government authority in their respective country. We encourage international and cross-school collaboration and welcome teams that bring together students with different backgrounds, perspectives, and areas of expertise. See Academic Integrity & Eligibility for the full statement.

How much does it cost to submit or present?

No registration fee has been announced yet, and none will be collected until one is decided and published. See Registration for the fee tiers once they're set.

Do I have to submit an abstract before the full paper?

Yes. There are two deadlines: a short abstract first, then the full paper about a week later. Both go through the same submission system, so you only sign up once. See Key Dates for both deadlines.

Do I have to travel to attend?

The conference is held in person, so presenting means being there. At least one author of an accepted paper needs to register and present. Dates and location are on Key Dates, and visa guidance is on Travel & Venue. Start early if you may need one.

What if my English isn't strong?

That’s completely okay! English is the official working language of inCABS, but you do not need to be a native English speaker to participate. While “quality of writing and organization” is one of the six criteria our reviewers consider, it is evaluated alongside scientific merit, originality, significance, and other aspects of your research. It is not a requirement for perfect English. If English is not your first language, we encourage you to seek help proofreading or refining your paper from a teacher, mentor, friend, or translation tool. We want your ideas, curiosity, and research to shine, regardless of the language you speak at home.