The 2021 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) will take place in May 2021.

ISEF is one of the premiere international science competitions and BASEF has been sending students since 1962. Our second fair! All high school projects are eligible to attend ISEF.

In August the Society for Science and the Public (SSP) announced that the 2021 ISEF would be held virtually. SSP’s hope is to have a week of ISEF online activities! Approximately 1400 students from all over the world are projected to participate in May 2021. Even though we will not be travelling to the fair we will still be able to access the QUAD, go through the dreaded SRC and Display and Safety checks, and experience the impressive Awards Ceremonies! The hope is for judging to be online in a video-conference style.

BASEF will send a minimum of 3 projects this year. Make sure you keep an eye on ISEF’s website for the Project Material Guidelines, as well as BASEF’s own guidelines, so you are prepared! Forms and Rules can be found at the links below to get you started!

Last year the SSP quickly reformatted 2020’s Fair to an online showcase and had various panel discussions.  Check out -> 2020 Virtual Regeneron ISEF if you’d like to take a look back!

Detailed Project Information

Forms

Rules and Guidelines

SSP is working on the guidelines and criteria for this year’s fair and will have the Project Material Guidelines finalized soon.

Tom Breckles (left) and David Isbister boarding their TCA flight to Seattle Washington. Spec reporter Bill Hanrahan accompanied the winners to report on their progress. Source: Special Collections, Hamilton Public Library, Copyright The Hamilton Spectator.

What is the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair?

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 & the Public. Each May, more than 1500 students from roughly 70 countries and territories compete in the fair for scholarships, tuition grants, internships, scientific field trips, and the grand prizes totaling over $4,000,000. The fair was founded in 1950 by Science Service (now the Society for Science & the Public)

What is the Society for Science and the Public?

Society for Science & the Public is a champion for science, dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education, and scientific research. They focus on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, and inspire.

Since 1921, the Society (originally known as Science Service) has conveyed the excitement of science and research directly to the public through award-winning publications and since 1942, through world-class science education competitions.

Today, the Society provides concise, accurate, and inspirational science news and opportunities to nearly 100,000 subscribing members, 70,000 alumni worldwide, and millions of online visitors and social media followers.

What are the Regeneron ISEF awards?

More than 600 individual and team awards are presented every year at the Regeneron ISEF. Each entry is judged at least four times with category awards given in first, second, third, and fourth place. Awards are $3,000, $1,500, $1,000 and $500 respectively in each of the 21 categories. The top winner of the Regeneron ISEF receives an award of $75,000, with the next top two winners each receiving $50,000. Additional awards worth approximately $4 million are provided by about 70 corporate, professional, educational, and government sponsors through the Regeneron ISEF Special Awards program. These include tuition scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips, and laboratory equipment.

Who are the judges at ISEF?

Each year about 1,000 science, engineering, and industry professionals volunteer their time as judges. All judges have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree and/or six years of relevant experience.

Updates

2021-01-08 The ISEF logo in the featured image was updated to reflect the new 2021 ISEF logo.