Regeneron ISEF 2026 vs MLH Fellowship
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Regeneron ISEF 2026 is a competition while MLH Fellowship is a internship.
| Regeneron ISEF 2026 | MLH Fellowship | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Competition | Internship |
| Organization | Regeneron | Major League Hacking (MLH) |
| 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. | Not publicly disclosed; competitive program but exact rate unknown |
| Applicants | Millions of students compete in science fairs globally each year; approximately 1,700–1,800 reach ISEF as finalists | Not publicly disclosed; appears to have multiple cohorts annually |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | No / International | No / International |
| Grades | Grades 9–12 (high school students only; middle schoolers compete in the separate Junior Innovators Challenge) | College students and above (program appears designed primarily for undergraduates; high school eligibility unclear) |
| 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... | Highly valued in college admissions and recruiting. Shows: (1) Real-world experience with production-grade code, (2) Demonstrated commitment to open-source/collaborative development, (3) Recognition b... |