Last Updated on 06/24/2026 by Ethan Sawyer
ISEF: A guide to what it is and what it takes to compete
ISEF is kinda like the Olympics version of high school science fairs, and it’s generally thought of as the most prestigious STEM competition for high school students there is.
Which can look pretty sweet on your college applications.
But getting in is extremely difficult.
So in this guide, we’ll talk you through some history and context of ISEF, then break down how to enter and compete.
What is ISEF?
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is a world-class international science competition for high school students. It is the world’s largest international science fair. Students from all over the world present their original research in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).
To be eligible for ISEF, students have to first compete and win at a local, regional, or state science fair that’s affiliated with ISEF. Finalists then travel to the main event to showcase their research and compete for cash prizes and scholarships.
The International Science and Engineering Fair’s mission and history
ISEF started in the 1950s and is organized by the Society for Science. Their main mission is to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers by giving high school students from around the world a platform to exhibit their original research. The goal is to promote a better understanding and appreciation of science, encourage discovery, and fuel passion and curiosity.
Since the first competition, ISEF has become the world’s largest and most prestigious science competition for high school students.
ISEF’s eligibility requirements
- Grade Level: Participants must be students in grades 9 through 12 (or equivalent international grade levels).
- Age Limit: Students must not have reached the age of 20 on or before May 1st.
- Team Projects: Projects can be undertaken individually or in teams. However, teams are limited to a maximum of 3 members. All members of a team project must meet all individual eligibility requirements. Teams compete and are judged within their chosen research category alongside individual projects.
- One Project Rule: Each student is permitted to enter only one project in the competition cycle each year.
- Research Timeline: The research presented must cover a maximum period of 12 continuous months. The active experimentation and data collection phase should not exceed one year.
- Research Time Frame: The research conducted for the project must not have been performed more than 18 months prior to the Regeneron ISEF event date. For example, for ISEF 2025 (held in May 2025), the research must have been conducted between January 2024 and May 2025.
- Language: English is the official language of Regeneron ISEF. All project materials, including the display board and the official abstract, must be presented in English.
Regeneron ISEF categories
| Category | Description |
| Animal Sciences (ANIM) | Study of animals: structure, physiology, development, classification, ecology, behavior, husbandry, cellular/molecular aspects. |
| Behavioral and Social Sciences (BEHA) | Study of human and animal behavior, cognitive processes, social interactions, psychology, sociology, anthropology. |
| Biochemistry (BCHM) | Study of the chemical basis of life processes in organisms. |
| Biomedical and Health Sciences (BMED) | Study of diseases, health, nutrition, epidemiology, immunology, pathophysiology at the organismal level. |
| Biomedical Engineering (ENBM) | Application of engineering principles to biology and medicine: biomaterials, biomechanics, biomedical devices, imaging, tissue engineering. |
| Cellular and Molecular Biology (CELL) | Study of cell structure, function, pathways, molecular genetics, neurobiology, cellular immunology. |
| Chemistry (CHEM) | Study of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter. Includes analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, materials chemistry. |
| Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBIO) | Development and application of data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modeling, and computational simulation techniques to study biological systems. |
| Earth and Environmental Sciences (EAEV) | Study of Earth systems: geology, oceanography, atmospheric science, climate science, environmental effects on ecosystems, water science. |
| Embedded Systems (EBED) | Study/development of systems combining hardware and software designed for specific functions within larger systems: circuits, IoT, microcontrollers, sensors, signal processing. |
| Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design (EGSD) | Development/study of processes and materials for renewable energy generation (solar, wind, hydrogen, etc.) and energy storage. |
| Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics (ETSD) | Application of engineering principles focusing on mechanical systems, structures, materials science related to engineering, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics. (Note: Category name updated from prior years). |
| Environmental Engineering (ENEV) | Application of engineering principles to improve/protect the environment: bioremediation, pollution control, waste management, water resources. |
| Materials Science (MATS) | Study of the synthesis, structure, properties, and performance of materials: ceramics, composites, electronic/optical/magnetic materials, nanomaterials, polymers. |
| Mathematics (MATH) | Study of measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets using numbers and symbols; abstract structures. Includes algebra, analysis, geometry, number theory, probability/statistics. |
| Microbiology (MCRO) | Study of microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists. Includes antimicrobial substances, microbial genetics, virology. |
| Physics and Astronomy (PHYS) | Study of matter, energy, space, and time. Includes mechanics, optics, nuclear physics, condensed matter, astronomy, cosmology, theoretical physics. |
| Plant Sciences (PLNT) | Study of plants: structure, physiology, development, classification, ecology, genetics, pathology, agronomy. |
| Robotics and Intelligent Machines (ROBO) | Development of machines that can substitute for humans and replicate human actions: biomechanics, control theory, machine learning, robot kinematics. |
| Systems Software (SOFT) | Study/development of software systems and methodologies: algorithms, cybersecurity, databases, operating systems, programming languages, AI/machine learning applications. |
| Technology Enhances the Arts (TECA) | Projects that use technology to enhance or create artistic expression (Newer category, details may evolve). |
| Translational Medical Science (TMED) | Projects aiming to bridge basic biomedical research and clinical applications: disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention, drug development, public health interventions. |
How to enter and compete at ISEF—timeline, requirements, and key actions
Timeline
| Time Period | What Happens | Key Actions |
| Summer / Early Fall (Before Fair Season) | Project Work & Planning | Choose your project topic, find a mentor, start your research, READ THE RULES, get necessary pre-approvals. |
| Fall / Early Winter | Local/School Fairs & Regional Fair Registration | Compete locally if needed. Register for your regional affiliated fair (deadlines may vary, check your local fair’s website). Complete initial paperwork. |
| January – Early April | Affiliated Fair Season | Compete at your regional (and possibly state/national) ISEF-affiliated fair. Most US fairs happen during this time. |
| April | Post-Qualification (If you win!) | Submit ISEF Finalist paperwork quickly after your fair (try to get it done within 12 days). Submit virtual project materials. |
| May | Regeneron ISEF Finals Week | Travel to the host city (e.g., Columbus, Ohio for 2025), set up your project, participate in judging, attend events, and have fun. |
ISEF awards, prizes, and honors
The prize money at ISEF is pretty substantial. Each year, the competition distributes more than $9 million in awards and scholarships across two main types: Grand Awards and Special Awards.
Grand Awards
Grand Awards are given by category. Each of the 22 categories has its own panel of expert judges who evaluate projects in their field and award the top finishers. At the category level, first place typically earns around $5,000, second place around $2,000, and third place around $1,000.
On top of the category prizes, there are Best of Fair awards for the top overall projects:
- Gordon E. Moore Award (Best of Fair): $75,000
- Second Best of Fair: $50,000
- Third Best of Fair: $25,000
Special Awards
Special Awards come from outside organizations—government agencies, universities, companies, and foundations—that send their own judges to evaluate projects in their area. Past award-givers have included NASA, the National Institutes of Health, the US Patent and Trademark Office, and dozens of professional societies and private foundations.
These awards can include cash, scholarships, research trips, internships, and other opportunities—and a single project can win multiple Special Awards.
Other honors
Beyond the prizes, ISEF winners earn a few other notable distinctions:
- Minor planet naming rights: The International Astronomical Union names minor planets after top ISEF winners. If you win, there’s a rock in space with your name on it.
- Invitations to international science events and conferences, including trips abroad for select winners.
- Fellowships and research opportunities through Society for Science partner organizations.
How do colleges view ISEF in the application process?
Short answer: colleges know exactly what ISEF is, and they take it seriously.
Being named an ISEF finalist is genuinely impressive to admissions offices—especially at research-oriented schools. It signals that you can do real, original scientific work, present it convincingly to experts, and compete at the highest level of your peer group globally. That’s a different tier of achievement than placing in a local or even state competition.
Being a finalist is strong. Winning a category award is stronger. Winning Best of Fair is the kind of achievement that gets mentioned in admission letters and scholarship announcements.
A few things worth knowing about how ISEF plays in applications:
- It matters most for research-heavy programs. If you’re applying to schools with strong STEM programs—MIT, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, research-intensive state flagships—an ISEF win carries particular weight. Admissions staff at those schools know the competition well.
- It tells a richer story than the award alone. The project you brought to ISEF—the question you asked, the problem you tried to solve, the process you went through—is rich material for essays and interviews. The award is validation, but the story of the research is what makes you memorable. (Head to this guide for more on how to write about research.)
- You don’t have to win for it to matter. Qualifying as a finalist and competing at ISEF is itself an accomplishment worth noting in your activities section. Millions of students do science projects. A few thousand make it to ISEF.
- It’s not a magic key. ISEF is an impressive achievement but not a guarantee of admission anywhere. Selective colleges still look at GPA, course rigor, essays, recommendations, and overall fit. ISEF works best as part of a coherent story about who you are and what you care about—not as a standalone credential you’re hoping will carry the application. (Here’s a full guide to what colleges look for in students.)
FAQ on ISEF
Can homeschooled students compete in ISEF?
Yes. Homeschooled students can participate as long as they enter through an affiliated fair. Some fairs have specific provisions for homeschooled students, so check with your regional fair directly.
What if there’s no affiliated fair near me?
There are over 800 affiliated fairs in 60+ countries, so the odds are good that there’s one decently within reach. Check the Society for Science’s affiliated fair map on their website. If you’re genuinely stuck, reach out to the Society directly—they can sometimes help connect students with options.
How many students make it to ISEF each year?
Roughly 1,700–1,800 finalists compete at ISEF each year, selected from millions of students who participate in affiliated fairs worldwide. It’s a small percentage.
Can I enter as part of a team?
Yes, teams of up to 3 students are allowed. All team members must meet the eligibility requirements, and the team competes as a single entry within its chosen category.
What do judges actually look for?
ISEF judges are typically working scientists, engineers, and researchers in their field. They evaluate projects on scientific merit (solid methodology, valid conclusions), creativity, skill, and how well you can defend and explain your research in conversation. The interview matters—being able to talk through your project clearly is just as important as the written materials.
How do I start if I’m a 9th grader with no research experience?
Most ISEF finalists didn’t start with research experience—they started with a question they cared about. Find a problem that interests you, read whatever you can find about it, and look for a mentor (a teacher, local university professor, or professional in the field) who can help you design a rigorous project. The Society for Science’s website has beginner resources to help you get started.
Is ISEF only for traditional science?
Not at all. The categories cover everything from pure math and physics to behavioral science, robotics, software systems, and even technology that enhances the arts. If your project involves original research or engineering, there’s almost certainly a category for it.
I didn’t qualify this year. Is it worth trying again?
Yes—if you’re still eligible (grades 9–12, under 20). Many ISEF finalists tried more than once before qualifying. Each cycle is a new project, and the experience of competing at an affiliated fair teaches you a lot about how to do better research and present it more effectively the next time around.
Jay Zhang is a counselor at CEG, holding an MA in School Counseling from NYU, a BS in Microbiology from UCLA, a PPS credential, and certification as a Strong Interest Inventory practitioner. With over a decade of experience as an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) and school counselor, he specializes in guiding students in STEM fields and UC admissions. As a former UCLA scholarship reader and interviewer, Jay offers keen insight into crafting unique and standout applications. He employs a strength-based approach, focusing on students’ overall development to help them create tailored college plans, build skills for a bright future, and successfully gain admission to a wide range of selective institutions. A Southern California native, Jay enjoys beach days and hiking.
Top Values: Authenticity | Balance | Compassion
