Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
Introduction

The ISEF, known as the International Science and Engineering Fair, is sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and is a globally renowned youth scientific research and innovation competition. Open to 9th to 12th-grade students, the competition covers 21 disciplines including zoology, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, biomedicine and health sciences, biomedical engineering, cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computational biology and bioinformatics, earth and environmental sciences, embedded systems, energy: sustainable materials and design, engineering mechanics, environmental engineering, materials science, mathematics, microbiology, physics and astronomy, plant sciences, robotics and intelligent machines, systems software, and translational medical science. Each year, over 1,800 students stand out in their regional affiliated competitions to earn a ticket to the ISEF finals, competing for substantial prize money and scientific research honors.

The benchmark of scientific research competitions for middle school students

Full coverage of Mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer, engineering and social sciences

Entries are available from all over the world through AFFILIATED FAIRS

There are grand prizes and special awards at all levels of subsidiary competitions and global finals

Regeneron ISEF Competition Topics

Animal Sciences (Code: ANIM)

Study all aspects of animals and animal life, including the animal life cycle, interactions between animals, with each other, or with the environment. Topics include animal structure, physiology, development and classification, animal ecology, livestock, entomology, ichthyology, ornithology, herpetology, and cell and animal studies.

Biomedical Engineering (Code: ENBM)

Apply engineering principles and design concepts to the fields of pharmacology and biology for medical purposes, including diagnosis, detection, and treatment. Notable applications of biomedical engineering include the development of biocompatible prosthetics, various diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices, from clinical equipment to micro-implants, common imaging devices such as MRI and EEG, tissue regeneration, and therapeutic biological products.

Biomedical and Health Sciences (Code: BMED)

Focus on human health and disease, including the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or epidemiology of diseases, as well as the study of normal functions of the human body or mental systems, and the investigation of internal and external factors such as feedback mechanisms, stress, or environmental impacts on human health and disease.

Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (Code: CBIO)

Focus on the study of computer science and mathematical disciplines and techniques related to biological systems. This includes the development and application of data analysis and theoretical methods, mathematical modeling, and computational simulation techniques to study biological behaviors and social systems.

Cellular and Molecular Biology (Code: CELL)

A multidisciplinary field that studies the structure, function, intracellular pathways, and formation, including understanding life and cellular processes at the molecular level.

Behavioral and Social Sciences (Code: BEHA)

Study the thought processes and behaviors of humans and other animals in their interactions with the environment through observation and experimentation.

Microbiology (Code: MCRO)

The study of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, prokaryotes, and simple eukaryotes, as well as antimicrobial and antibiotic substances.

Physics and Astronomy (Code: PHYS)

Physics is the science of matter and energy and their interactions. Astronomy is the study of anything in the universe beyond the Earth.

Chemistry (Code: CHEM)

Study the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of substances outside of biochemical systems.

Earth and Environmental Sciences (Code: EAEV)

Study the environment and its impact on biological/systems, including biological processes such as growth and lifespan, as well as the study of Earth systems and their evolution.

Embedded Systems (Code: EBED)

The study of electronic systems that transmit information through signals and waveforms to enhance communication, control, and/or sensing.

Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design (EGSD)

Study and processes related to the production and/or storage of energy.

Systems Software (Code: SOFT)

Develop software for demonstrating, analyzing, or controlling processes/solutions, information flows, or methods.

Robotics and Intelligent Machines (Code: ROBO)

Develop intelligent machines to reduce dependence on human intervention.

Translational Medical Science (Code: TMED)

Aim to promote human health and longevity by translating new discoveries in biomedical science into effective tools for clinical and public health applications.

Environmental Engineering (Code: ENEV)

Study the design or development of processes and infrastructure to address environmental issues in water supply, waste management, or pollution control.

Mathematics (Code: MATH)

The deductive study of numbers, geometry, and various abstract structures or configurations.

Material Science (Code: MATS)

Synthesize and process materials in the form of nanoparticles, nanofibers, and nanostructured layers, coatings and laminated materials, monolithic single-piece, single-crystal/polycrystal, glassy, soft/hard solids, composite materials, and honeycomb structures.

Plant Sciences (Code: PLNT)

The study of plants and their modes of existence, including structure, physiology, development, and classification. This includes plant cultivation, development, ecology, genetics and breeding, pathology, physiology, systematics, and evolution.

Biochemistry (Code: BCHM)

Analytical Biochemistry, General Biochemistry, Medicinal Biochemistry, Structural Biochemistry, and other related fields.

ISEF Competition Rules

Here are some of the important rules for participating in ISEF.
Students must adhere to scientific ethics (such as academic integrity, truthfulness of experimental data, environmental and animal protection, intellectual property rights, biochemical safety, etc.). All scientific research content must be expressed in English. The duration of the student's scientific research should not exceed 12 months, and the research for the 2025 competition must start after January 2024. Students can participate individually or in teams. If participating as a team, no more than 3 people are allowed. The team can participate in a science fair authorized by ISEF in the location of any team member. Each student or team can only submit one scientific research project and can only participate in one ISEF-authorized science fair. Demonstrations, 'library' research or informational projects, and/or 'explanation' models are not eligible ISEF scientific research projects. Sample project titles from previous years: https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/ISEF/2022/Resources/Sample-Project-Titles.pdf
Database of previous years' research topics and summaries: https://abstracts.societyforscience.org/
Each student or team must complete the research application form, research plan, consent form, and submit them to ISEF for participation after being reviewed by an adult mentor. If there are any updates to the content, a new application must be submitted and approved. After starting the experiment, each student or team must submit a research summary of up to 250 words (1 page), which is recommended to include the purpose, procedure, data, and conclusions of the experiment (a. purpose of the experiment b. procedure c. data d. conclusions). ISEF does not mandate the submission of a project data book and research paper, but strongly encourages it, as it aids in the evaluation. Local science fairs may require students to submit a project data book and research paper. The scientific research project conducted by the student can be part of a larger professional scientific research project, but the part submitted by the student must be independently completed by the student and be complete. If the research involves human experiments, vertebrates, potential biochemical hazards, etc., additional application approval is required. These factors usually determine whether a student can participate in the competition, and common pitfalls can be referred to at: www.societyforscience.org/isef/international-rules/fail-to-qualify/
Complete competition rules:www.societyforscience.org/isef/international-rules/rules-for-all-projects/

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Chinese student

Chinese students are selected through the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) to participate in the ISEF finals. The qualifications for advancement are as follows:

NYSTICTalent ProgramTomorrow's Little ScientistsRegeneron Cup Sichuan Science FairHongkong

National Youth Science and Technology Innovation Competition
According to the international rules of the Regeneron ISEF, participants must be winners of a regional science and technology competition. Currently, based on China's geographical distribution and the development level of youth science and technology activities, the country is divided into 8 competition areas. These areas serve as affiliated competitions of the Regeneron ISEF, and participants are selected from each area.

Talent Program
The "Talent Program" is the pathway with the highest probability of advancing to the ISEF. It targets students in grades nine and ten from 20 provinces and cities whose academic achievement ranks in the top 10% of their grade or whose comprehensive achievement ranks in the top 15%. Under the guidance of scientists, these students engage in scientific research, academic discussions, and scientific research practice to stimulate their interest in science, enhance their innovation capabilities, and create a favorable social atmosphere for the continuous emergence and growth of young scientific and technological innovation talents.

Tomorrow's Little Scientists
The "Tomorrow's Little Scientists" award activity, backed by CAST and jointly hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the National Natural Science Foundation, and the Zhou Kaiyuan Foundation, is a science and technology innovation talent cultivation activity aimed at high school students. It aims to cultivate and reward innovative scientific and technological talents with research potential. High school students with personal research achievements and excellent academic performance can apply freely. Through a comprehensive assessment of students' innovative awareness and research capabilities, 130 outstanding students are selected to receive awards of different levels, as well as scholarship support.

Regeneron Cup Sichuan Science Fair
Regeneron Cup Sichuan Science Fair, ISEF Sichuan Science Fair, Jointly organized by Regeneron China, International Schools Consortium, and Chengdu International School, for foreign students in grades 9-12 living and studying in China, Or students with foreign permanent residence (such as American green card, Canadian Maple Leaf card, etc.), by the school organization registration. In the end, the winning team has a chance to advance to the ISEF finals in the United States.

Senior high school students studying in Hong Kong can participate in the Hong Kong Youth Technology Innovation Competition or the ISEF Hong Kong Qualifying Competition
Hong Kong Youth Technology Innovation Competition
Participate in the Regeneron ISEF Hong Kong qualifying basics
The first, second and third prize winners of the Youth Innovation Competition have the opportunity to obtain tickets to advance to ISEF. The winners of the first prize of the 20-21 Hong Kong Youth Science and Technology Innovation Competition can directly enter the final of the 2024 ISEF Hong Kong Preliminary Competition.
Entry qualification
Students must be under the age of 20 before 1 May 2024, enrolled in a registered Hong Kong school, and be full-time students from Form 3 to Form 6 in the 2023-24 school year. You can participate alone or in a team of ≤3 people.
Way of competition
Students are required to complete the required forms and documents according to ISEF Hong Kong Regional Competition requirements. The completed application form, together with a paper report of all necessary documents, must be printed in accordance with the number of copies submitted and mailed or delivered in person to HKNGCA by December 3, 2024.

Other countries

AmericaCanadaOther

Students attending American high schools
Before advancing to the ISEF finals, students are required to compete in their state's affiliate competition.
In California, for example, students need to participate in the ISEF regional competition in the local area, and the winners advance to the state competition, and then to the ISEF finals. Due to the academic level and the number of Chinese Americans in each state, the intensity of competition will be different.
The ISEF Global Finals usually take place in May each year, and the affiliated events in different states in the United States vary in time, starting as early as the fall of the previous year and starting as late as the spring of the year. The general recommended preparation time is September-October of 10th grade in the United States.

High school students attending school in Canada can participate in Team Canada
Team Canada is the Canadian ISEF qualifier for Canadian students in grades 9 to 12 who are under the age of 21 on May 1. Students with Canadian citizenship or a green card are eligible to enter. Applicants are required to submit a complete set of forms to the Team Canada online registration system and submit their reports before the deadline after being selected by the selection committee. After an interview, the successful students will be promoted to the Team Canada finalist for ISEF in the online registration system.

For other countries, please visit our website

ISEF entry Awards

The Gordon E. Moore Award

This is the highest award of the entire competition, with a prize of up to $75,000.

The Regeneron Foundation Young Scientists Award

The top two contestants or teams in all disciplines, the second and third places in the entire competition, will each be awarded $5,000.

Regeneron ISEF Grand Awards

First prize, second prize, third prize and fourth prize in each discipline are selected respectively, corresponding to 3000, 1500, 1000, 500 US dollars.

The Dudley R. Herschbach SIYSS Award

The three winners will receive free admission to the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar, including the Nobel Prize Conference in Sweden. (Participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of the Nobel Prize gala in December)

Regeneron ISEF Best of Category Awards

The first project in each discipline category will be awarded a $5,000 prize and the opportunity to compete for the Gordon Moore Prize and the Regeneration Foundation Young Science Elite Award. The school or team represented by the project will also receive a $1,000 prize.

Regeneron ISEF Special Awards

Provided by professional organizations such as societies and technology companies from different academic fields, the following is a partial list (in alphabetical order) : ACS American Chemical Society, AMS American Mathematical Society, APA American Psychological Association, ASA American Statistical Society, ACM American Computer Society, IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, NASA, Oracle Academy.

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