I. Competition Background and Awards Overview

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is organized by the Society for Science and sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Widely recognized as the “World Cup of Youth Scientific Research,” ISEF is the world’s most prestigious, largest-scale, and longest-running international research competition for high school students.

Each year, ISEF attracts thousands of top student researchers from over 80 countries and regions, covering 22 disciplines including mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering. Through a rigorous affiliate fair system, students must advance from regional and national-level competitions before qualifying for the global final, where approximately 1,800 finalists compete annually.

ISEF is renowned for its high academic credibility and substantial prize pool. According to official data, the total prize value of the 2025 ISEF Finals reached approximately USD 9 million, a scale expected to continue into the 2026 season. The awards system is structured into three major categories:
ISEF Grand Awards, ISEF Top Awards, and ISEF Special Awards, forming a comprehensive and tiered recognition framework.

II. 2026 Season Timeline and Latest Updates

(1) Global Final Dates

The 2026 ISEF Global Finals will take place from May 9–15, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona, USA. As in previous years, direct registration is not permitted—students must qualify through officially recognized affiliate fairs in their respective regions.

(2) China Affiliate Fair Timeline

Sichuan Science & Engineering Fair (Sichuan Fair)
The Sichuan Fair is currently the only official ISEF affiliate competition in mainland China open to students from foreign passport schools. The 2025–2026 season schedule was as follows:

• Registration: October 10 – November 28, 2025
• Project Submission Deadline: January 3, 2026
• Judging Period Begins: January 9, 2026
• On-site Defense & Awards Ceremony: January 16–17, 2026

The on-site competition concluded in January 2026, and finalist lists have been released. Policy updates for this season include expanded submission quotas for schools with prior ISEF finalist recognition and a base advancement quota of five projects (with applications submitted to increase this to seven).

Other China Selection Pathways

• Shanghai Youth Science Society (Senior Membership): Final defense held January 24–25, 2026
• Chongqing Youth Science & Technology Innovation Competition: Submission deadline January 25, 2026
• Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Youth Science Expo: Newly added pathway for 2026; timeline pending official announcement

Eligibility requirements and advancement rules vary by region, and students must select the appropriate pathway based on enrollment status and nationality.

(3) International Timeline Reference

ISEF affiliate fairs worldwide follow different schedules. In the United States, most state fairs take place between February and April 2026, while Hong Kong’s ISEF preliminary registration closed in October 2025. Students are advised to consult official ISEF channels or their schools for region-specific timelines.

III. ISEF Grand Awards

(1) Award Structure and Prize Amounts

ISEF Grand Awards represent the core competitive awards and are presented across all 22 scientific categories. Each category includes four prize levels:

• First Place: USD 6,000
• Second Place: USD 2,400
• Third Place: USD 1,200
• Fourth Place: USD 600

For team projects, prize money is split equally among team members.

(2) The 22 Competition Categories

• Animal Sciences
• Behavioral & Social Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Biomedical & Health Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering
• Cellular & Molecular Biology
• Chemistry
• Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
• Computer Science
• Earth & Environmental Sciences
• Embedded Systems
• Energy: Sustainable Materials & Design
• Engineering Mechanics
• Environmental Engineering
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Microbiology
• Physics & Astronomy
• Plant Sciences
• Robotics & Intelligent Machines
• Systems Software
• Translational Medical Science

Awards are allocated proportionally based on the number of entries in each category to ensure fairness.

IV. ISEF Top Awards Explained

(1) Selection Mechanism

ISEF Top Awards represent the highest honors of the competition and are selected from first-place Grand Award winners across all categories. Judging is conducted by panels that include Nobel laureates and leading global scientists, making these awards exceptionally competitive.

(2) Nine Major Top Awards

• George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award
  • 1 project | USD 100,000
  • Honors groundbreaking innovation and scientific breakthroughs
• Regeneron Young Scientist Awards
  • 2 projects | USD 75,000 each
  • Recognizes outstanding scientific potential and problem-solving ability
• Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations
  • 1 project | USD 50,000
  • Focuses on long-term societal and sustainable impact

Professional Excellence Awards (USD 10,000 each):

• Craig R. Barrett Award for Innovation
• Robert Horvitz Prize for Fundamental Research
• Peggy Scripps Award for Science Communication
• Mary Sue Coleman Award for Life Science Innovation & Impact

International Exchange Awards (Honorary):

• EU Contest for Young Scientists Award (2 projects)
• Dudley R. Herschbach SIYSS Award (3 projects)

Beyond monetary rewards, Top Award winners often gain significant attention from elite universities and research institutions worldwide.

V. ISEF Special Awards System

(1) Award Sources and Characteristics

ISEF Special Awards are sponsored by professional societies, technology companies, government agencies, and research institutions. Key features include:

• Over 70 sponsoring organizations annually
• Variable prize amounts, ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars
• Highly specialized judging criteria aligned with specific disciplines

(2) Major Types of Special Awards

Professional Society Awards

• American Chemical Society (ACS) Awards
• American Physical Society (APS) Awards
• American Mathematical Society (AMS) Awards
• American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Awards

Technology Company Awards

• Microsoft Innovation Award
• Google Science Award
• Intel Science Award

Government & Research Institution Awards

• NASA Awards
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Awards
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Awards

Other Thematic Awards

• Sustainability Awards
• Women in Science Awards

Many Special Awards also offer internships, memberships, or academic conference invitations.

VI. Judging Criteria and Award-Winning Strategies

(1) Core Evaluation Dimensions

All ISEF awards are evaluated based on:

• Creativity & Innovation
• Scientific Rigor
• Depth of Research
• Practical and Societal Impact
• Presentation & Communication Skills

(2) Strategic Recommendations

• Select research topics that are forward-looking and socially relevant
• Maintain strict research ethics and documentation
• Prepare clear, data-driven papers and visually effective display boards
• Begin project planning 12–18 months in advance

ISEF enforces zero tolerance for academic misconduct. Any form of plagiarism or data fabrication results in immediate disqualification and may negatively impact future academic opportunities.

Download ISEF Past Award-Winning Project Collections, Analyses, and Resources

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