World's largest high school STEM competition, the Regeneron ISEF sets world record

October 3, 2025

Washington, D.C., United States--The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a global competition for pre-college students in grades 9–12, Organized by the Society for Science, allows thousands of students from 80 countries, regions, and territories, to compete for millions in awards and scholarships by presenting their research in various STEM fields; the event sets the world record for the World's largest high school STEM competition, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"The world's largest science and engineering fair for high school students is the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a global competition for pre-college students in grades 9–12.

"Organized by the Society for Science, it allows thousands of students from numerous countries to compete for millions in awards and scholarships by presenting their research in various STEM fields.

"The fair provides a platform for young innovators to connect with peers, STEM leaders, and potential college or career opportunities." (AI Overview)

Key aspects of the Regeneron ISEF:

Participants: Finalists are high school students (grades 9-12) who qualify through local, regional, and national science fairs.
Scope: It's a global competition, drawing finalists from as many as 80 countries, regions, and territories.
Sponsorship: Regeneron is the current title sponsor, having taken over from Intel in 2020.
Awards: The fair awards over $9 million in prizes and scholarships.
Categories: Research projects encompass 22 categories of science, engineering, and mathematics.
Opportunity: In addition to the competition, the fair includes a STEM College & Career Fair where students can engage with universities and organizations

"The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is an annual science fair in the United States. It is owned and administered by the Society for Science a 501(c) non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.

"Each May, more than 1800 students from roughly 75 countries and territories compete in the fair for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips and the grand prizes, including one $75,000 and two $50,000 college scholarships.

"All prizes together amount to over $8,000,000. Two major awards ceremonies are the Special Awards Organization Presentation (which now includes the Government Awards Presentations) and the Grand Awards Ceremony. (Wikipedia)

"Regeneron ISEF is coming to Phoenix, Arizona! The Regeneron ISEF event week will be held from May 9-15, 2026 at the Phoenix Convention Center," the official website says.

"More than 500 volunteers will be needed across a spectrum of activities! Learn more about volunteering here and sign up to get notified when the 2026 ISEF Volunteer Registration goes live!

"More than 1000 judges are needed to determine the winners of the 2026 Regeneron ISEF! Learn more about serving as a Grand Award judge here and sign up to when the judge application opens here!"

"The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), a program of the Society for Science for 75 years, is the world’s largest global science and engineering competition for 9th to 12th grade students," the official website says.

"From May 11 to May 17, 2025, nearly 2,000 young scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and inventors will convene in Columbus, Ohio for Regeneron ISEF. The finalists, who come from approximately 60 countries, regions and territories will spend the week connecting with their peers and global STEM leaders, participating in events and competing for more than $9 million in awards and prizes."

"The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), a program of Society for Science & the Public (the Society), is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition," The Institute of Competition Sciences (ICS) says.

"Intel ISEF unites these top young scientific minds, showcasing their talents on an international stage, where doctoral level scientists review and judge their work.

"Intel ISEF is hosted each year in a different city (Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Phoenix through 2019). The Local Arrangements Committees from each city partner with the Society and Intel to provide support for the event including the recruitment of thousands of volunteers and judges and in organizing an education outreach day in which more than 3,000 middle and high school students visit."

"The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a program of Society for Science (the Society), is the world's largest high school STEM competition. We’re proud that through our sponsorship of Regeneron ISEF, we can support students in transforming their high school research into strong academic pursuits and future innovation," Regeneron says.

"Since 2019, Regeneron has sponsored ISEF, welcoming over 5,000 high school students from 64 countries and distributing nearly $22 million in awards, prizes and scholarships to the world’s top young scientists. In 2023, we announced an additional $34 million over five years, a $10 million increase from our previous commitment level.

"Regeneron sponsors ISEF with the hope of illuminating the path from passionate high school research to illustrious STEM careers. Our University Relations team actively engages with the Society for Science to bring Regeneron ISEF alumni to our organization as interns, with the aim of setting a similar precedent for others in the industry and other research sectors to follow."

"The Regeneron* International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world's largest international pre-college science competition, annually provides a forum for more than 1,800 high school students from 81 countries, regions, and territories to showcase their independent research," the University of Montana says.

"ISEF is the premiere science competition in the world exclusively for students in grades 9-12. Each year, millions of students worldwide compete in local and school-sponsored science fairs; the winners of these events go on to participate in ISEF-affiliated regional and state fairs from which the best win the opportunity to attend ISEF.

"ISEF unites these top young scientific minds, showcasing their talent on an international stage, enabling them to submit their work to judging by doctoral-level scientists--and providing the opportunity to compete for almost $8 million in prizes and scholarships."

"The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world's largest international pre-college science competition. Regeneron ISEF provides an annual forum for more than 1,800 students in grades 9-12 from nearly every state in the U.S. and more than 60 countries, regions and territories to showcase their talent on an international stage.

"Each year, millions of students worldwide compete in science fairs; winners go on to participate in more than 425 Society affiliated fairs from which the best win the opportunity to attend ISEF, to be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, May 10-16, 2025," The Ohio State University says.

"These top young scientific minds will come together to showcase their talent on an international stage, be judged by doctoral-level scientists and compete for more than $9 million in awards during ISEF."

"The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world's largest international pre-college science competition. It is the premier global science competition for students in grades 9–12," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says.

"The 2019 Intel® ISEF brought together 1,842 high school students from 80 countries, regions, and territories who presented their independent research in competition for approximately $5 million in awards and scholarships.

"Since 2009, EPA has participated as a Special Award Organization, and shared information about environmental protection with the ISEF participants and visitors. EPA recognizes one project with the EPA Patrick H. Hurd Sustainability Award. In 2011, the EPA Sustainability Award was renamed in honor of Patrick Hurd, who managed the effort behind EPA's first Sustainability Award.

"The Science Talent Search (STS), the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors, was launched by the Society and Westinghouse in 1942," the Society fo Science says.

"Then and today, the competition seeks to identify the nation’s next generation of scientific leaders. The 40 STS finalists receive scholarships and a trip to Washington D.C. where they have an opportunity to interact with one another in addition to meeting prominent scientists and politicians.

"Westinghouse sponsored the competition for the first 55 years, followed by Intel from 1998-2016. STS is currently sponsored by Regeneron as part of a 10-year, $100 million commitment to the Society. Today, nearly 2,000 high school seniors apply to Regeneron STS annually, competing for more than $3 million in awards, including a top prize of $250,000."

Photos: World's largest science and engineering fair, the Regeneron ISEF sets world record

(1) Adam Kovalčík, of Dulovce, Slovakia, won first place and received the $100,000 George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award for his new way of making the investigational antiviral drug galidesivir. Early clinical trials have shown this drug to be safe in humans. Animal tests show it may be effective against a broad spectrum of viruses.

Benjamin Davis, of Wrentham, Massachusetts, received the $75,000 Regeneron Young Scientist Award for creating a desktop plastic recycling system. The user-friendly system can recycle 3D printer waste and other plastics. It turns them into filaments for 3D printing. Up to 67% of the filament used in a typical 3D printing project may end up as waste.

Siyaa Poddar of Chandler, Arizona, received the $75,000 Regeneron Young Scientist Award for her device, which rapidly detects toxic dusts. In the U.S. Southwest, toxic silica and uranium dusts from abandoned mines are a public health challenge.

Photo: Facebook/Society for Science

(2) Facebook/Society for Science

(3) We're excited announce the top 40 finalists in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search! Now in its 84th year, #RegeneronSTS identifies extraordinary young minds who blend scientific talent, curiosity and bold leadership to drive meaningful change for society. Alumni of the competition have gone on to win 13 Nobel Prizes, 23 MacArthur Fellowships, and have founded numerous world-changing companies, including Regeneron. Photos: Facebook/Society for Science

(4) Facebook/Society for Science

(5) #SocietyAdvocates provides a stipend and year-round support to an individual (teacher, counselor, mentor) working to increase the number of students from traditionally underrepresented groups who enter STEM research competitions. Facebook/Society for Science

(6) Facebook/Society for Science

(7) We're excited to announce the Top 30 finalists in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific #JuniorInnovators Challenge, the nation’s STEM competition for middle school students. The finalists — selected by a nationwide panel of scientists, engineers and educators from the Top 300 Junior Innovators announced earlier this month — will participate in Thermo Fisher JIC Finals Week in Washington, D.C. in October. Facebook/Society for Science

(8-13) Facebook/Society for Science