About the International Science & Engineering Fair
ISEF is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition — a global stage where young researchers present original work to expert judges and to one another. This is an independent guide to what it is, where it came from, and how it runs.
A global competition for young scientists
Each year, the International Science and Engineering Fair gathers around 1,700 high-school finalists (grades 9–12) who have already won their local, regional, state, or national fairs. They present research and engineering projects across 22 scientific categories and compete for more than $7 million in awards.
It is run by Society for Science, a nonprofit dedicated to science education and public engagement. Since 2020 the fair has carried the name of its title sponsor, becoming the Regeneron ISEF.
For students, it is far more than a contest: it is a week of judging, exhibition, and connection with peers and mentors from across the world.
Seventy-five years of discovery
The fair was founded in 1950 and has grown into the most prestigious pre-college science competition in the world. Its title sponsors trace the modern history of American science and technology.
Founded
Created by Science Service — now Society for Science — as the first national science fair, bringing together top young researchers.
Intel era
Intel became the title sponsor, supporting the fair for 22 years (1997–2019) as it expanded across the globe.
Regeneron era
Regeneron became the title sponsor in 2020, deepening its commitment to young scientists as the Regeneron ISEF.
ISEF at a glance
Run by Society for Science
Society for Science is a century-old nonprofit that champions science through education and public engagement. Alongside ISEF, it runs other respected programs and publishes award-winning science journalism.
ISEF’s reach has even crossed into popular culture: the fair and its finalists are featured in Science Fair: The Series, available on National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu.
About this guide. This is an independent, English-language guide created to help students and families understand and prepare for ISEF. It is not the official ISEF website — the official organizer is Society for Science.
Ready to learn how it works?
See how students qualify, what the project rules are, and how judging plays out over the week of the fair.