World's largest pre-college STEM competition. ~1,800 finalists from 75+ countries.
Define project; complete pre-approval forms (Forms 1, 1A, 1B, Research Plan)
Conduct research; prepare project board, abstract, and notebook
Compete at affiliated regional/state fair to qualify
Submit ISEF registration and updated paperwork
ISEF finals — 5 days of judging, special awards, and Grand Awards
ISEF disqualifies dozens of projects each year for paperwork issues. Read the SRC/IRB requirements before designing your study, especially if humans, vertebrates, or hazardous materials are involved.
Engineering Mechanics, Earth & Environmental Sciences, and Behavioral Sciences typically have stronger odds than Cellular Biology or Biochemistry, where competition is fiercest.
Judges spend ~10–15 minutes per project. Practice a 5-minute walkthrough that hits motivation → methods → results → significance, plus a 30-second elevator version.
Judges often ask to see raw data and decision-making. A well-kept notebook is one of the strongest signals of authentic ownership.
Get a personalized prep plan for Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair from a senior counselor.