About this competition
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world's largest pre-college science and engineering competition. Roughly 1,700 finalists in grades 9–12 from more than 60 countries qualify each year through their regional or national fair. The week-long event in May features judging across 22 scientific categories, plus Special Awards from dozens of partner organizations.
The top award — the $100,000 George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award — goes to a single finalist. The Regeneron Young Scientist Awards ($75,000 each) recognize two additional projects. Category first-place awards are $5,000 each. Beyond cash, ISEF finalists routinely matriculate at top universities; the alumni network includes Nobel laureates, MacArthur fellows, and astronauts.
ISEF is unusual in U.S. STEM competitions because there is no direct entry — every finalist comes through an affiliated regional or state fair (e.g., Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair). Parents planning toward ISEF should look at their local affiliated fair's timeline first.
Season & deadlines
Qualification runs Sep–Apr through ~430 affiliated regional/state fairs. ISEF itself: mid-May, one week in a rotating U.S. city.
Season window: September through May.
Cost
Free — Free to participate at ISEF level — but the affiliated upstream fair may have entry fees or material costs.
Prizes & outcomes
$100,000 Top Award; $75,000 Young Scientist Awards (×2); $5,000 first-place category awards; over $9M in total prizes/scholarships annually.
Summer research programs (RSI, SSP, MITES)
Most ISEF finalists started research at a university summer program in 10-11th grade.
Building a research project for ISEF?
Science Fair Research Mentorship is forming the next pilot cohort. Join the interest list — no commitment, no payment, we'll reach out personally.
Past winners
Browse the complete list of winners by year — every district that named a winner is listed.