Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences vs Regeneron ISEF 2026
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences is a summer program while Regeneron ISEF 2026 is a competition.
| Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences | Regeneron ISEF 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Summer Program | Competition |
| Organization | MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Professions | Regeneron |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 5-10% based on estimated 60-120 applications for 6 spots (highly competitive but not as selective as top national programs like RSI or TASP) | Roughly 1,700 finalists are selected from 365 affiliated fairs worldwide. Getting to ISEF requires first winning regionally, which itself is competitive. Estimated <1% of all science fair participants globally reach ISEF. At the ISEF itself, approximately 600 of the 1,700 finalists (~35%) receive some award. |
| Applicants | Estimated 60-120 annually (exact numbers not disclosed by MD Anderson) | Millions of students compete in science fairs globally each year; approximately 1,700–1,800 reach ISEF as finalists |
| Deadline | Rolling | — |
| Award | $7,200 | — |
| Cost to Apply | $0 | Free |
| US Only | No / International | No / International |
| Grades | High school seniors only (current seniors during spring semester before program start) | Grades 9–12 (high school students only; middle schoolers compete in the separate Junior Innovators Challenge) |
| College Impact | This program has SIGNIFICANT positive impact on college admissions, especially for students pursuing health professions. Admissions officers view it as: (1) Evidence of serious commitment to healthcar... | ISEF finalist status is one of the most powerful extracurricular credentials in college admissions. Being named an ISEF finalist (simply qualifying) is Tier 1 on most admissions frameworks. Grand Awar... |