Regeneron ISEF Awards vs Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026
Comparing two highly competitive STEM opportunities. Regeneron ISEF Awards is a competition while Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 is a scholarship.
| Regeneron ISEF Awards | Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Competition | Scholarship |
| Organization | Society for Science | Ron Brown Scholar Program |
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 1,600-1,700 finalists compete at ISEF annually out of significantly larger pool competing at 365+ affiliated fairs; roughly 600 finalists receive awards/prizes (37.5% of finalists awarded) | Estimated 5-10% acceptance rate based on prestige tier 1 classification and $40,000 award amount (highly competitive, exact rate unavailable) |
| Applicants | Over 1,600 finalists selected annually from 365 Society-affiliated fairs across 60+ countries and territories; total number competing at all affiliated fairs globally is much larger (tens of thousands) | Likely 500-2,000+ applicants annually (specific number not available) |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Award | $7,000,000 | $40,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | No / International | Yes |
| Grades | 9th through 12th grade (high school students) | High school seniors (12th grade, graduating class of 2026) |
| College Impact | Reaching Regeneron ISEF as a finalist is extremely prestigious in college admissions and carries significant weight. Top colleges (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, etc.) view ISEF participation highly favor... | The Ron Brown Scholar Program is viewed very favorably by college admissions officers and is recognized as a prestigious national scholarship. Winning this scholarship demonstrates: (1) Academic excel... |