The Guide · Regeneron ISEF

What ISEF Is — And How You Actually Get In

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair is the world’s largest pre-college science competition. It is also one of the most misunderstood: you cannot register for it, you qualify for it. This guide explains the fair, the categories, and every major qualification path.

Get Coached Through It

~1,700Finalists each May, from nearly 70 countries and regions

22Subject categories, from microbiology to embedded systems

9–12Eligible grades — high-school students only

The Fair Itself

Section 01 — Scale & Stakes

Every May, around 1,700 finalists gather for a week of judging, exhibits and awards — ISEF 2026 was held in Phoenix under the theme “Future Forward,” with sponsors including Jane Street, Google.org, Microsoft, Midjourney and Zoox. Projects span 22 categories covering essentially all of science and engineering; a new arts-technology category (TECA) was added in 2024. MIT lists ISEF among its recommended high-calibre research competitions, and the fair’s judging — working scientists interviewing each finalist at their booth — is what gives its awards their weight.

Grand Awards run from fourth to first place in each category. First and second place winners receive minor-planet naming rights through the Ceres Connection program — an honour Embark students have earned four years running.

ISEF fair floor - finalists interviewed at their booths

Qualification Paths

Section 02 — No Direct Entry

Every finalist earns their place at an ISEF-affiliated fair. Your path depends entirely on where you go to school — and each path has its own deadlines, formats and level of competition.

Mainland China · 4 tracks

Four Official Selection Tracks

In the 2026 season, mainland China sent 28 teams through four channels: the fair for students at schools for children of foreign personnel (5 direct finals slots); the Shanghai Youth Science Society “Science Seed” selection; the Chongqing Youth Science & Technology Innovation Competition; and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Youth Science Fair (BTHYSF, 10 projects). Each has distinct eligibility rules — choosing the right track early is itself a strategic decision.

United States · State routes

Regional Fair → State Fair → ISEF

US students advance through their local and state affiliated fairs. Competitiveness varies sharply by state — the same project can be a comfortable qualifier in one state and miss the cut in another, which is why qualification strategy matters as much as project quality.

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Hong Kong · Canada · Singapore …

National & Regional Affiliates Worldwide

Hong Kong runs its own selection; Canadian students route through the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF); Singapore through SSEF — and similar affiliates operate in dozens of countries. If you study internationally, your school’s location decides your route, and we map it with you in the first consultation.