In May 2025, Columbus, Ohio became a global hub for young scientific talent. Nearly 1,700 finalists from more than 60 countries and regions gathered to present their research at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)—widely regarded as the “World Cup” of youth science competitions.

Among the largest and most competitive STEM events for secondary school students worldwide, which projects stood out this year? And what do they reveal about emerging trends in youth-driven scientific innovation?

By analyzing the 2025 award-winning projects, three clear common characteristics emerge:
deep integration of AI and interdisciplinary research, the growing value of long-term project continuity, and a balanced focus on innovation and real-world applicability.

1. The “World Cup” of Global Youth Science Competitions

Founded in 1950, ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair) has evolved into the world’s largest and most prestigious pre-college STEM competition. From May 10 to May 16, 2025, the 75th edition of ISEF welcomed nearly 1,700 finalists from over 60 countries and regions.

This year, only five foreign-national students from Mainland China advanced to the Global Final through the Sichuan ISEF Affiliate Fair, while no official delegation was sent by the China Association for Science and Technology. In contrast, students from countries such as Canada and Brazil delivered outstanding performances—Canada secured three major awards, while Brazilian students earned five prizes.

ISEF features 22 competition categories, ranging from traditional disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry to cutting-edge fields including artificial intelligence and translational medicine. In total, more than USD 9 million in prizes and scholarships were awarded to outstanding finalists.

2. Deep Integration of AI and Interdisciplinary Research

The most striking trend at ISEF 2025 was the pervasive presence of artificial intelligence across nearly all disciplines. Among first-prize-winning projects, 42% incorporated AI algorithms, spanning fields such as animal sciences, behavioral and social sciences, biomedical engineering, computational biology, and embedded systems.

A representative example from the biomedical engineering category is the award-winning project “NeuroFlex.” The team developed a low-cost, non-invasive, EEG-controlled bionic prosthetic. By using an EEG headband to capture brain signals and applying AI-based machine learning models to decode motor intent, the system achieved 98% accuracy in interpreting movement intentions of amputees.

In the embedded systems category, another standout project focused on pressure ulcer prevention. The team trained machine learning models using more than 540,000 hospitalization records and 65,000 ICU records to predict ulcer risk. Their non-invasive device automatically tracks patient posture and alerts nurses when repositioning is needed—all at a cost of under USD 130.

AI-driven optimization was also evident in environmental engineering. A Brazilian project titled “Watreat” developed biopolymer membranes for water treatment, while a Canadian team designed a dual-purpose biophotovoltaic system that simultaneously enhances energy generation and wastewater treatment efficiency.

3. The Rising Value of Long-Term, Continuous Research

Another defining feature of ISEF 2025 was the high proportion of award-winning projects built on multi-year research efforts. Nearly 30% of the 31 first-prize projects were continuations of work begun in previous years.

One illustrative example involved oil spill cleanup optimization. In the previous year, the student demonstrated that magnetizing crude oil with ferrofluids could significantly improve cleanup efficiency, earning a third prize. In 2025, the research expanded to examine how different ferrofluid compositions and oil viscosities affect performance. After more than 120 experiments, cleanup efficiency increased from 2–6% using conventional methods to over 70%, elevating the project to a first prize.

A similar trajectory was observed in the pressure ulcer prevention project. The author had received only a fourth prize the previous year but returned with a fundamentally redesigned solution that emphasized real-world usability, ultimately securing a first prize.

These examples underscore how sustained, multi-year inquiry—often spanning much of a student’s high school career—is increasingly valued by ISEF judges, who recognize depth, persistence, and intellectual growth.

4. A Balance Between Innovation and Practical Impact

The third shared characteristic of ISEF 2025 award-winning projects was a strong balance between originality and practical value. Rather than pursuing complexity for its own sake, successful projects addressed real-world problems with feasible, implementable solutions.

In the robotics and intelligent machines category, the project “Cuddle and Comfort Chimp” tackled sleep quality issues. After surveying 122 young adults and finding that 70% struggled with sleep due to stress and anxiety, the team designed a soft robotic sleep aid that simulates parental comfort. The robot gently embraces users with soft actuators and mimics rhythmic breathing to reduce respiration rates. Two overnight human trials showed a 50% reduction in time to fall asleep, and 75% of participants expressed willingness to purchase the product.

Engineering technology projects demonstrated similar practicality. One award-winning project addressed 3D printing waste recycling by combining extrusion and pultrusion techniques. Through over 50 component iterations and testing more than 30 temperature configurations, the project significantly improved recycled material quality.

Meanwhile, a Canadian team’s project “NEPTUNE” illustrated how innovation can scale to fundamental science. Using Transit Timing Variation (TTV) techniques to predict unseen exoplanets beyond Neptune-like systems, the project earned a third prize in the physics and astronomy category.

5. Key Takeaways for Young Innovators

The three defining characteristics of ISEF 2025 award-winning projects offer clear guidance for aspiring young researchers:

• Interdisciplinary integration is essential. Complex problems increasingly require the fusion of AI, engineering, biology, environmental science, and other fields.
• Long-term commitment matters more than short-term exploration. Continuous refinement and iteration lead to deeper insights and higher-impact outcomes.
• Real-world relevance is critical. Successful projects address genuine societal needs—particularly in sustainability, healthcare, energy, and environmental protection.

Ultimately, the most compelling projects arise from careful observation of the world and genuine concern for others. Whether inspired by helping amputees regain mobility or easing the suffering of long-term patients, the purpose of scientific research remains the same: to improve human life.