ASPIRES 2 is the second phase of a ten-year longitudinal research project studying young people's science and career aspirations. The project started on 1st February 2014, is based at King's College London and is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. The first ASPIRES study tracked the development of young people's science and career aspirations from age 10-14 (from 2009-2013). We found that most young people, from primary through to secondary, find school science interesting. However, interest in science does not translate into post-16 participation and careers – with only 15% of 10-14 year olds interested in becoming a scientist. For further details, please see the ASPIRES report at the link below. The ASPIRES 2 project is continuing to track young people until age 18, to understand the changing influences of the family, school, careers education and social identities and inequalities on young people's science and career aspirations. Crucially, this research will relate these aspirations to students' actual subject choices and attainment in national examinations in Year 11 (GCSE) and their post-16 choices. This tracking of young people's aspirations and educational outcomes until age 18 comprises the crucial 'final link' in our longitudinal project, and will have strong bearing on educational policy and practice.