# NAACP ACT-SO

The NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics: a year-round achievement program where students in grades 9-12 compete in 33 categories across STEM, humanities, and the arts, with gold…

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | NAACP |
| Category | other |
| Cost | Not listed |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | Hybrid (in person + online) |
| Location | Various |
| Apply | https://naacp.org/act-so |

## About this program

# NAACP ACT-SO

ACT-SO — the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics — is the NAACP's year-round achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among high school students. Often called an "Olympics of the mind," it pairs mentoring with competition in 33 categories across five disciplines: humanities, performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, and STEM.

## What You'll Do

- Join your local NAACP ACT-SO program, where mentoring and scholastic enrichment activities run from September through March
- Develop a competition entry in categories such as drawing, music composition, dance, engineering, computer science, or entrepreneurship
- Compete in your local ACT-SO competition, typically held in April
- Advance to the National Competition and Ceremonies, held every July in conjunction with the NAACP National Convention, if you win a local gold medal

## Who Should Apply

U.S. citizens enrolled in grades 9-12 who are amateurs in their chosen categories. Local programs kick off in August-September each year, so students should contact their nearest NAACP unit early in the school year.

## Outcomes

National medalists earn awards and scholarships, and every participant gains months of mentorship, a polished portfolio piece or performance, and connection to a national network that has launched notable careers in the arts and sciences.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for NAACP ACT-SO?

NAACP ACT-SO is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is NAACP ACT-SO online or in person?

NAACP ACT-SO is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components (in-person portions in Various).

### How do I apply to NAACP ACT-SO?

Apply directly through NAACP's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-06.
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