Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 vs Science Talent Search (STS)
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 is a scholarship while Science Talent Search (STS) is a competition.
| Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 | Science Talent Search (STS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Scholarship | Competition |
| Organization | Ron Brown Scholar Program | Society for Science |
| Acceptance Rate | Estimated 5-10% acceptance rate based on prestige tier 1 classification and $40,000 award amount (highly competitive, exact rate unavailable) | Highly competitive; specific percentage not available |
| Applicants | Likely 500-2,000+ applicants annually (specific number not available) | Thousands of high school students compete through affiliated science fairs nationwide |
| Deadline | Rolling | — |
| Award | $40,000 | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school seniors (12th grade, graduating class of 2026) | High school seniors only |
| College Impact | 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... | The Regeneron Science Talent Search is among the most prestigious science competitions and significantly impacts college admissions. Finalists are nationally recognized and receive considerable presti... |