Regeneron ISEF 2026 vs Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Regeneron ISEF 2026 is a competition while Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences is a summer program.
| Regeneron ISEF 2026 | Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Competition | Summer Program |
| Organization | Regeneron | MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Professions |
| Acceptance Rate | 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. | 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) |
| Applicants | Millions of students compete in science fairs globally each year; approximately 1,700–1,800 reach ISEF as finalists | Estimated 60-120 annually (exact numbers not disclosed by MD Anderson) |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Award | — | $7,200 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | $0 |
| US Only | No / International | No / International |
| Grades | Grades 9–12 (high school students only; middle schoolers compete in the separate Junior Innovators Challenge) | High school seniors only (current seniors during spring semester before program start) |
| College Impact | 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... | 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... |