Regeneron Science Talent Search vs Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Regeneron Science Talent Search is a competition while Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 is a scholarship.
| Regeneron Science Talent Search | Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Competition | Scholarship |
| Organization | Society for Science | Ron Brown Scholar Program |
| Acceptance Rate | 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. | Estimated 5-10% acceptance rate based on prestige tier 1 classification and $40,000 award amount (highly competitive, exact rate unavailable) |
| Applicants | Approximately 2,000 projects submitted per year; historically 147,000 students have competed since 1942 | Likely 500-2,000+ applicants annually (specific number not available) |
| Deadline | 2026-11-05 | Rolling |
| Award | — | $40,000 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school seniors only | High school seniors (12th grade, graduating class of 2026) |
| College Impact | 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, ... | 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... |