Regeneron Science Talent Search

Grades

High school seniors only

Age

Must be enrolled as a high school senior at time of application

Citizenship

U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in the United States; U.S. citizens living abroad may compete

Prerequisites

Must conduct original scientific research; no specific prior competition experience required but research mentorship strongly recommended

Steps

1. Conduct original scientific research (can be done independently or with university/laboratory mentor)
2. Register for the competition on Society for Science portal
3. Submit research paper/project documentation
4. Submit personal essays and biographical information
5. Provide high school transcript and standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)
6. Obtain letters of recommendation (typically from research mentor and teachers)
7. Top 300 scholars announced mid-January (semifinals)
8. Top 40 finalists announced late January
9. Selected finalists travel to Washington, D.C. for Finals Week (March) for in-person interviews

Materials Needed

• Completed research paper (original experimental/theoretical work)
• Abstract of project
• Personal essays
• High school transcript
• Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
• 2-3 letters of recommendation
• Biographical/background information
• Documentation of research methodology and results

Timeline

Application period: June 1 – November 5, 2026 (for 2027 competition); Top 300 announced mid-January; Top 40 announced late January; Finals Week: March 11-17, 2027 in Washington, D.C.; Winners announced March 16, 2027. Students should begin research 1-2 years before senior year to have substantial work completed.

Cost

No application fee; finalists' travel, lodging, and meals to Washington, D.C. are covered by the competition

What Judges Look For

• Originality and novelty of research concept
• Quality of scientific methodology and experimental design
• Significance and potential impact of findings
• Depth of technical understanding and knowledge
• Quality of research paper writing and presentation
• Evidence of intellectual curiosity and passion for science
• Leadership potential and communication skills
• Academic performance and standardized test scores
• Letters of recommendation quality
• Demonstration of problem-solving ability
• Potential for future scientific contribution to society

Scoring

Official rubric not publicly detailed, but judging emphasizes: (1) Research quality and originality (40%+), (2) Scientific merit and methodology (30%+), (3) Academic credentials and performance (20%+), (4) Communication and interview performance (10%+). Finals week interviews assess deep knowledge of project, broader STEM knowledge, creativity, and ability to think on feet.

Common Mistakes

• Choosing research that is not sufficiently original (e.g., replicating known experiments)
• Inadequate research scope—project too narrow or too broad
• Poor research paper organization or unclear writing
• Lack of proper statistical analysis or methodology rigor
• Insufficient letters of recommendation or weak recommendation quality
• Missing deadline or incomplete application materials
• Not demonstrating personal ownership of research (appears passive)
• Failing to connect research to real-world applications/significance
• Poor interview preparation—inability to defend or explain project deeply
• Choosing research solely to 'win' rather than genuine scientific interest

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.

Applicants

Approximately 2,000 projects submitted per year; historically 147,000 students have competed since 1942

Winners / Selected

40 finalists receive awards (1st: $250,000 down to 30th: $25,000); 300 scholars receive $2,000 each

• Start research early: Begin sophomore or junior year to have substantial, publishable-quality work by application deadline
• Seek mentorship: Partner with university professor, postdoc, or research lab to gain access to professional research facilities and guidance
• Focus on originality: Don't replicate existing studies; identify genuine gaps in knowledge or novel approaches to problems
• Choose problem-driven research: Select a topic that genuinely interests you and addresses real-world challenges in STEM
• Document everything: Keep detailed lab notebooks, records of methodology, and data analysis for transparent presentation
• Write clearly and comprehensively: Research paper should be publication-quality; clear writing demonstrates understanding
• Build strong recommendations: Develop relationships with research mentors and teachers who can speak authentically about your scientific abilities
• Prepare for interview: Practice explaining your research at multiple levels; be ready to discuss limitations, future directions, and broader implications
• Show intellectual curiosity: Demonstrate why you care about this research and what it reveals about your scientific thinking
• Consider real-world impact: Frame research within context of societal challenges and potential applications
• Get feedback: Have mentors, teachers, and peers review your application materials and provide constructive criticism
• Highlight technical skills: Demonstrate proficiency in relevant lab techniques, statistical analysis, coding, or specialized equipment
• Avoid common pitfalls: Ensure research is entirely your own work; don't oversell findings; be honest about limitations
• Research previous winners: Study past finalists' project abstracts to understand what level of innovation and complexity succeeds

Successful finalists typically: (1) Conduct original research in STEM fields (biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics); (2) Have worked with university mentors or in professional research settings; (3) Demonstrate advanced technical knowledge beyond typical high school curriculum; (4) Show strong academic performance (top 1-3% of class, often perfect/near-perfect test scores); (5) Have published work or presented at conferences; (6) Display genuine passion for their research topic; (7) Come from states with strong STEM traditions (NY, CA, IL, PA, NJ, MD, MA); (8) Attend selective/well-resourced high schools; (9) Have well-developed communication skills and can defend complex research intelligently. Many finalists become research scientists, physicians, engineers, or faculty members; several have founded biotech companies or made significant scientific discoveries.

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, Stanford, Caltech). Being a Top 40 finalist is a major distinction that signals exceptional scientific ability and commitment. Even being named a Top 300 Scholar is impressive for college applications. College admissions officers view this competition as highly selective and credible—it's been running for 80+ years and has a proven track record of identifying future scientific leaders. The fact that alumni have won Nobel Prizes and National Medals of Science adds tremendous prestige. Admission to this competition can be a decisive factor for competitive college programs, especially in science and engineering. However, the competition is so selective that not being a finalist doesn't diminish other strong achievements.

• Regeneron ISEF 2026 — Tier 1, competition
• International Physics Olympiad — Tier 1, olympiad
• United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) — Tier 1, olympiad
• Ron Brown Scholar Program 2026 — Tier 1, scholarship
• Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences — Tier 1, summer program