From Joining Through Another Delegation to Standing Independently: New Zealand Sends Its First Official Representatives to ISEF
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, also known as Regeneron ISEF, is one of the world’s most prestigious youth science and engineering research competitions. It attracts talented young researchers from around the globe.
For many years, students from New Zealand participated as part of the Australian delegation. In 2026, New Zealand will send its own representatives to ISEF for the first time as an independent delegation. This marks an important milestone in the development of STEM education in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Independent ISEF Participation
The Royal Society Te Apārangi, a nonprofit organization that promotes science, technology and the humanities in New Zealand, has now become an ISEF-affiliated organization.
As an affiliate, the Royal Society will support regional competitions, promote scientific integrity, encourage students and competition organizers to increase STEAM participation, and strengthen engagement with Māori and Pacific Islander students.
New Zealand has had regional science fairs and STEAM academies for more than 50 years. However, after 2014, the national science competition was discontinued, and some programs closed due to lack of support.
In May 2025, Isabelle Aduna and Jesse Rumball-Smith represented New Zealand as members of the Australian delegation and both achieved strong results at ISEF.
Isabelle won third place in the Chemistry category with her project on improving dye-sensitized solar cells using agricultural product loss. She described the competition atmosphere as full of enthusiasm and curiosity, and advised students to choose projects they truly care about and actively seek help.
Jesse will return to ISEF in 2026, which will be held in Phoenix, Arizona. He previously helped New Zealand return to the Taiwan International Science Fair after a five-year break and served as delegation leader, guardian and competitor. He believes the core spirit of ISEF is to spread curiosity, passion and positive energy.
Key Information About Regeneron ISEF
Regeneron ISEF stands for the International Science and Engineering Fair. Sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, it is open to students in grades 9–12 worldwide.
The competition covers 22 subject categories, including physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, social sciences and biology. It is often regarded as the “World Cup of youth science and innovation” and is also a high-level research competition recommended on the MIT website.
At the 2025 ISEF Global Finals, more than 60 countries and regions participated. A total of 1,657 finalists and 1,328 projects competed on the global stage.
The five subject areas with the largest number of projects were translational medicine, biomedical and health sciences, biomedical engineering, environmental and earth sciences, and computational biology. These were also among the most competitive fields.
Why Participate in ISEF?
| Value | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Academic Strength | Top U.S. universities place strong emphasis on research ability. ISEF has a high academic status and can strongly demonstrate a student’s research level. |
| Research Potential | Completing a high-level research project during high school shows deep academic exploration and strong potential in a chosen field. |
| Application Profile | ISEF participation or finalist experience can be highlighted in extracurricular activities for university applications, helping students stand out. |
ISEF Eligibility and Advancement Pathways
ISEF uses a selective qualification system. Students cannot register directly for the global finals. They must advance through national or regional affiliated fairs.
Students may participate individually or in teams of no more than three members.
U.S. High School Students
Students in U.S. high schools usually begin by participating in an affiliated fair in their state. They advance through regional and state-level competitions before qualifying for the ISEF Global Finals.
Students in Mainland China
Students in Mainland China may qualify through several affiliated or recognized pathways.
| Pathway | Details |
|---|---|
| Sichuan Science and Engineering Fair | An affiliated fair for international schools in Mainland China. Award-winning schools may submit 4 projects, while other schools may submit 3 projects. Students have three participation opportunities in grades 9, 10 and 11. |
| Shanghai Youth Science Club Advanced Member Selection and Science Seed International Exchange Program | Outstanding winners may directly qualify for the ISEF Global Finals. |
| Chongqing Youth Science and Technology Innovation Competition | Selects 5 projects to advance to the international science and innovation stage. |
| Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Youth Science Fair, BTHYSF | Open to secondary school students in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. It selects 10 projects to advance to the ISEF Global Finals held every May. |
Final Thoughts
New Zealand’s first independent participation in ISEF is more than a change in delegation status. It reflects the country’s renewed commitment to youth STEM education, scientific integrity and international research exchange.
For students around the world, ISEF is not just a competition. It is a platform where curiosity, scientific thinking and real-world problem solving come together. Students who aim to participate should begin early, choose meaningful research questions and build projects with both academic depth and social value.
