Regeneron ISEF Awards

Grades

9th through 12th grade (high school students)

Age

No specific age requirement listed; grade level is the determinant

Citizenship

International competition open to students from 60+ countries, regions, and territories worldwide

Prerequisites

Must win a top prize at a Society-affiliated local, regional, state, or national science fair to earn the right to compete at Regeneron ISEF

Steps

1. Step 1: Develop a science or engineering research project during the academic year
2. Step 2: Register and submit project to your local or regional Society-affiliated science fair
3. Step 3: Present your project at the affiliated fair and compete against other local students
4. Step 4: Win a top prize (typically 1st-3rd place, varies by fair) at your affiliated fair
5. Step 5: Qualify as a finalist to compete at Regeneron ISEF (held annually, typically in May)
6. Step 6: Travel to ISEF location (2026: Phoenix, Arizona; May 9-15) and present project to judges
7. Step 7: Compete for Grand Awards and Special Awards

Materials Needed

• Research project (experimental work, engineering design, or research)
• Project display board (following official guidelines and dimensions)
• Written abstract/project summary
• Research documentation and data
• Project materials and visual aids for display
• Presentation skills for oral judging interviews
• Official project documentation per ISEF guidelines

Timeline

Students typically start projects in fall/early academic year; local/regional fairs occur winter-early spring; ISEF finals held in May each year; 2026 event: May 9-15 in Phoenix, Arizona

Cost

No direct ISEF application cost; local/regional fair participation fees vary by fair (typically $0-100); travel, lodging, and materials costs are student/school responsibility, though some sponsors may provide support

What Judges Look For

• Scientific or engineering merit and originality of research
• Quality of experimental design and methodology
• Validity and accuracy of data collection and analysis
• Depth of understanding of the research topic
• Clarity of project presentation and communication
• Potential impact and relevance of the research
• Adherence to safety and ethical guidelines
• Innovation and creative problem-solving approach
• Quality of oral presentation during judge interviews
• Student's ability to answer questions and defend findings

Scoring

Not publicly detailed, but judging focuses on scientific merit, research quality, presentation, and innovation. Grand Awards are presented in each of 22 ISEF categories with placements (1st-4th). Top Awards are selected from among 1st Award winners based on overall excellence and impact potential.

Common Mistakes

• Starting project too late in the academic year (insufficient time for quality research)
• Choosing a project that is too broad or unfocused in scope
• Poor data organization or incomplete documentation
• Lack of depth in research or superficial analysis
• Inadequate preparation for judge interviews and oral presentation
• Failing to follow official ISEF rules and guidelines (can result in disqualification)
• Weak display board design or poor visual communication of findings
• Not understanding the scientific principles behind the project
• Ignoring safety protocols and ethical considerations
• Underestimating the importance of qualifying through affiliated fairs first

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)

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)

Winners / Selected

22 Grand Award categories with 4 placements each (88 total), plus 45+ Special Awards from professional organizations; approximately 600 total finalists receive awards and prizes

• Start your research project early (ideally September/October) to allow sufficient time for quality work and iteration
• Choose a project that genuinely interests you—passion shows in presentations and judging
• Select a focused, researchable question rather than attempting something too broad or ambitious
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks and documentation throughout your research process
• Familiarize yourself thoroughly with ISEF's 22 categories and choose the most appropriate one for your project
• Practice your oral presentation extensively; judges spend significant time asking questions about your work
• Ensure your display board is visually clear, well-organized, and follows all official guidelines
• Have mentorship—work with a teacher, scientist, or professional in your field when possible
• Focus on original research rather than replicating known experiments; judges value innovation
• Be prepared to answer challenging questions confidently and acknowledge limitations of your research
• Attend your local/regional fair with full preparation; winning there is the gateway to ISEF
• Network with other students doing STEM research; get feedback and ideas from peers
• Document your research properly with correct citations and acknowledgment of resources
• Understand the ethical considerations and safety requirements of your project
• Consider the potential impact and real-world applications of your research when designing your project

How to Prepare

• Research ISEF's 22 categories early to identify where your interests align
• Formulate a clear, testable research question focused on a specific problem
• Conduct literature review to understand existing research and identify gaps
• Design your experimental methodology carefully with controls and variables clearly defined
• Execute your research systematically, maintaining detailed records and documentation
• Analyze your data thoroughly, including statistical analysis where appropriate
• Create a compelling narrative around your research findings and their significance
• Develop your display board with clear visuals, graphs, and written explanations
• Practice your verbal presentation and answers to anticipated judge questions
• Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or STEM professionals
• Prepare for your local/regional fair competition first—this is your gateway
• Research available special awards (45+ organizations) and consider which align with your project
• Understand ISEF safety and ethical guidelines early to ensure compliance
• Build a portfolio of your research process (photos, data, drafts) for reference

Resources

• Society for Science official website (societyforscience.org) - official rules, guidelines, categories
• ISEF Virtual Fair and searchable abstract database (2014-2026) - view past winning projects
• Local and regional affiliated science fairs - entry point to ISEF
• High school research programs and mentorship opportunities
• University laboratories offering student internship/mentorship
• Science journals and academic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate) for literature review
• STEM competitions and science fair preparation books
• Science fair judging rubrics and evaluation forms (available on Society website)
• National Geographic's 'Science Fair: The Series' (docuseries on Disney+/Hulu) - real finalist experiences
• Your school's science department and teacher mentors
• Science Olympiad and other STEM competition resources
• Online tutorials and guides on experimental design and data analysis
• Special Award Organizations' websites for specific research focus areas

Time Needed

Minimum 4-6 months of active research; ideally 8-12 months total timeline (September-May) including project design, execution, analysis, and presentation preparation. Students competing at local/regional fairs typically need this full timeline to be competitive.

Successful ISEF finalists typically demonstrate: (1) Advanced research skills beyond typical high school curriculum; (2) Original, innovation-focused projects rather than standard demonstrations; (3) Strong mentorship from teachers, university professors, or industry professionals; (4) Ability to articulate their research clearly to expert judges; (5) Projects addressing real-world problems or advancing fundamental scientific knowledge; (6) Students often come from schools with strong STEM programs or science clubs; (7) Persistence through iterative research and willingness to revise hypotheses based on data; (8) Interdisciplinary thinking combining multiple fields (e.g., biology + computer science); (9) Students with prior competition experience at regional/state fairs; (10) Demonstrated understanding of scientific literature and existing research in their field

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 favorably as it demonstrates: advanced research capability, intellectual maturity beyond high school curriculum, persistence and work ethic, ability to communicate complex ideas, and genuine passion for STEM. Winners of top awards (especially $100K Yancopoulos Award or $75K Regeneron Young Scientist Awards) have substantial admissions advantages. ISEF recognition is particularly valuable for students applying to STEM-focused programs. However, reaching ISEF is more selective than most scholarship programs—only 1,600 finalists globally—making the competition itself a powerful admissions credential. Many colleges recruit directly at ISEF. Winning special awards from professional organizations also strengthens applications in specific fields. This is considered one of the most prestigious pre-college STEM competitions globally and significantly impacts college admissions decisions.

• Simons Summer Research Program — Tier 2, summer program
• Elite Contest Coaching for Canada's Top Math Students — Tier 2, competition
• Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) — Tier 2, competition
• Dr. Charis Eng Monell Science Apprenticeship Program — Tier 2, summer program
• WOOT (Worldwide Online Olympiad Training) — Tier 2, enrichment