News & updates
ISEF news & updates
Season announcements, deadlines, results, and guidance for students preparing for the International Science and Engineering Fair.
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Is ISEF Worth It for College Applications? An Honest Look (2026)
An honest 2026 look at what Regeneron ISEF actually signals to admissions, why independent research is respected, and how to make it count — never a guarantee.
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The ISEF Abstract: How to Write One (Structure & the 250-Word Limit) (2026)
Write an ISEF abstract that works: the official 250-word / one-page limit, the Purpose-Procedure-Results-Conclusions structure, what to leave out, and what judges read it for.
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ISEF for International Students: Eligibility & the China Pathway (2026)
How international and China-based students reach Regeneron ISEF: the grades 9-12 eligibility rules, the affiliated-fair route (China = CASTIC pathway), and a realistic timeline. Cites societyforscience.org.
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The 22 ISEF Categories Explained (2026): What Each Covers
A plain-English reference to all 22 Regeneron ISEF categories for 2026 — what each one covers and the kind of project that fits — including the new Technology Enhances the Arts category. Use it to find where your research belongs before you register with an affiliated fair.
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What Is ISEF? A Complete 2026 Guide for International Students
ISEF, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, is the world’s largest pre-college science research competition, run by the Society for Science. This independent guide explains how it works — the affiliated-fair path to the global finals, the science categories, who can enter, and how international and China-based students take part.
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How ISEF Works: Affiliated Fairs to the Global Finals (2026 Guide)
ISEF works like a pyramid: you cannot enter directly. You complete an original research project, present it at a local ISEF-affiliated fair, and only the top nominated projects advance to the global finals each May. This independent guide explains the affiliated-fair path, how international and China-based students qualify, and how to plan backwards from your…
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What ISEF Judges Are Really Looking For
A polished poster is not enough. Here are the four qualities ISEF judges weigh most, and how to show them in your interview.
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How to Choose Your ISEF Category (All 22, by Strength) — 2026 Guide
Your ISEF category is not paperwork — it decides who judges your project and which projects you are measured against. With 22 categories for 2026, the right choice matches your project’s core contribution (its method and finding), not the topic that sounds most impressive. This independent guide shows how to choose by strength, including what…