Regeneron ISEF 2026 vs Regeneron Science Talent Search
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Both are competitions for high school students.
| Regeneron ISEF 2026 | Regeneron Science Talent Search | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Competition | Competition |
| Organization | Regeneron | Society for Science |
| 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 0.2-0.3% (2% of ~2,000 applicants become Top 40 finalists; 15% become Top 300 scholars). Highly selective with ~2,000 projects submitted annually. |
| Applicants | Millions of students compete in science fairs globally each year; approximately 1,700–1,800 reach ISEF as finalists | Approximately 2,000 projects submitted per year; historically 147,000 students have competed since 1942 |
| Deadline | — | 2026-11-05 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | No / International | Yes |
| Grades | Grades 9–12 (high school students only; middle schoolers compete in the separate Junior Innovators Challenge) | High school seniors only |
| 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... | Regeneron STS is considered one of the most prestigious high school science competitions and carries significant weight in college admissions, particularly for top-tier universities (Ivy League, MIT, ... |