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1 June 2026
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Regeneron Science Talent Search
A rigorous national STEM competition centered on original, independent research and holistic review by professional scientists.
Last verified: 1 Sept 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
Competition
Open now
Regeneron Science Talent Search
A rigorous national STEM competition centered on original, independent research and holistic review by professional scientists.
Last verified: 1 Sept 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Regeneron Science Talent Search at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Open now
Eligibility
Final-year U.S. students; citizens abroad
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-20
Location / Region
Online
Cost
Free
Prize highlight
$250,000 first-place award
Entry format
Online application; PDF report
Regeneron Science Talent Search summary
Students submit completed, original research alongside a detailed application that explains their methods, contribution, academic record, activities and potential as a STEM leader.
Review is holistic, but the research report carries substantial importance. Professional scientists assess scientific merit, independence, achievement and future potential.
This suits experienced student researchers ready to document both rigorous work and their personal development as a scientist.
What is Regeneron Science Talent Search?
The Regeneron Science Talent Search is a national competition administered by Society for Science. Founded in 1942, it provides a forum for completed, original research in science, mathematics and engineering to be reviewed by professional scientists.
Entrants submit a research report and a substantial holistic application explaining their work, academic path, activities and leadership potential. Selected finalists later present their research, meet other young scientists and complete project and panel judging.
Why Succeed highlights Regeneron Science Talent Search
The competition evaluates original research through reviewers with doctoral expertise in the relevant discipline.
Holistic review recognizes student contribution, academic aptitude and leadership potential alongside scientific merit.
Every eligible entrant receives recognition, while scholar and finalist stages carry substantial awards.
Finalists combine intensive judging with a public exhibition and access to a national scientific community.
The application encourages unusually detailed reflection on research decisions, limitations and individual contribution.
Who is Regeneron Science Talent Search for?
Best for
Final-year students with completed independent STEM research who can explain their methods, results, personal contribution and growth in depth.
Not ideal if
Your work is a proposal, literature review, unfinished investigation or high school team project, or if required research approvals were not secured before experimentation.
Is Regeneron Science Talent Search worth it?
For a student with substantial independent research, this is a strong opportunity to test scientific writing, clarify personal contribution and receive expert holistic review. The scholar and finalist pathways also offer meaningful recognition and access to a notable research community.
The limitation is the workload and selectivity: a polished report is only one part of a long application, and even strong research does not assure selection. Enter because the reflection and communication process has value, not because an award is predictable.
How much preparation does Regeneron Science Talent Search need?
Effort level
Very high.
Best started
Begin the application several months before 5 November, after completing the research and checking that all required approvals are documented.
Main challenge
Proving scientific rigor and individual contribution while presenting an authentic, coherent personal story.
Typical preparation
Read the current rules before drafting or uploading anything.
Request recommendations early and confirm that recommenders can use the online system.
Map each application task, report section and required approval against a personal schedule.
Download and inspect the completed application before formally submitting it.
Useful if
You have organized records, mentor support and enough time for careful review.
What do students do on Regeneron Science Talent Search?
You turn a completed independent research project into a formal report and a holistic application. The process asks you to document both the science and your individual role, context, activities and future potential.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Confirm that you satisfy the age, school-status, residence and individual-research rules.
- 2
Open the online application and review every required task and branching question.
- 3
Request educator, project and school-report recommendations through the system.
- 4
Describe your project, methods, data, contribution, limitations and potential impact.
- 5
Upload a properly formatted research report and any project-specific approvals or supporting documents.
- 6
Complete the essays, disclosures, activities and optional testing sections.
- 7
Review the generated application, press Submit and retain the confirmation.
Regeneron Science Talent Search dates and deadlines
Past
Application deadline
5 November 2026
Application components and recommendations are due at 8pm ET.
Scholars announced
7 January 2027
The Top 300 Scholars are named.
Finalists announced
21 January 2027
The Top 40 Finalists are named.
Finals Week
11-17 March 2027
Final judging and finalist activities in Washington, DC.
Public exhibition
14 March 2027
Finalists display their research projects.
Winners announced
16 March 2027
Top award winners are announced at the ceremony.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applications open | 1 June 2026 | Local | Past | |
Application deadline | 5 November 2026 | Local | Upcoming | Save deadline |
Scholars announced | 7 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Finalists announced | 21 January 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Finals Week | 11-17 March 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Public exhibition | 14 March 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Winners announced | 16 March 2027 | Local | Upcoming |
Eligibility and requirements
Over age 13 and under age 21
Final year of secondary school
Not graduated before the application deadline
Full-time U.S. or U.S. territory residence
Or qualifying U.S. citizen studying abroad
Completed individual research project
No previous Science Talent Search entry
Parental consent required when applicable
How to enter Regeneron Science Talent Search
- 1
Read the 2027 Rules and Entry Instructions and confirm eligibility.
- 2
Create an account in the official online application system.
- 3
Complete the eligibility, personal, school, research and disclosure tasks.
- 4
Request educator, project and high school report recommendations early.
- 5
Prepare and upload the original research report as a compliant PDF.
- 6
Upload any required approvals, permits, risk assessments or supporting documentation.
- 7
Complete the essays, activities section and optional test-score section.
- 8
Mark every required task complete, review the application and press Submit.
Save this competition in Succeed, keep the deadline visible, and track your progress before you submit.
Start your entry checklistCompetition prompts
Choose one question from your selected subject area. Succeed shows a small preview here, but always check the current competition instructions before writing.
Q1.What characteristics best demonstrate your affinity and aptitude for being a good scientist?
Q2.What have you done that illustrates scientific aptitude, leadership, curiosity, inventiveness or initiative?
Submission requirements
The exact approvals and supporting documents depend on the research methods and subjects involved.
Completed original, independent investigation
Results available before submission
Online application only
Research report of 20 pages or fewer
Title page, abstract and bibliography
PDF report of 4MB or smaller
Minimum 11-point-equivalent legible font
1.5 line spacing and one-inch margins
Educator and project recommendations
High school report and transcript
Required ethics and disclosure attestations
Project-specific approvals and documentation
Prizes and recognition
Eligible entrants
Valid entrants receive a T-shirt, laptop sticker and one-year digital Science News subscription.
Top 300 Scholars
Each scholar receives $2,000, with another $2,000 awarded to their school.
Top 40 Finalists
Finalists also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC.
First place
The first-place entrant receives the competition's largest individual award.
What this may help with
Demonstrating independent research achievement and scientific communication.
What it does not guarantee
Admission, scholarships or future research opportunities.
Judging criteria
- Research Report and scientific merit
- Student contribution to the research
- Academic aptitude and achievement
- Overall potential as a future STEM leader
No numerical weighting or detailed scoring rubric is published.
How to stand out
- Explain precisely which ideas, procedures, analysis and conclusions were your own.
- Present limitations, failed approaches and changes honestly to show scientific judgment.
- Connect the research question to a clear personal motivation without overstating impact.
- Give recommenders enough time and context to submit detailed, consistent responses.
- Treat disclosures as evidence of integrity by fully crediting mentorship, funding and support.
- Check every citation, approval date, file requirement and application claim for consistency.
Regeneron Science Talent Search FAQs
Yes. Mentored research can qualify, but you must clearly explain your own contribution and disclose the support and relationships involved.
No. The submitted project must be individual research, and students cannot split a team project into separate entries.
No. Published work is permitted but not required. If submitting published work, make sure your independent contribution remains clear.
No. The project must be a completed investigation with data and results; proposals, unfinished studies, literature reviews and essays are ineligible.
Generative AI cannot write application responses, the research report or citations. AI used within the research itself must be disclosed and appropriately cited.
The full application receives holistic review, but official guidance says the research report receives the greatest weight. Reviewers also consider contribution, achievement and leadership potential.
Finalists attend a week in Washington, DC, present their research and complete project and panel judging. Full participation and preparatory tasks are required to retain finalist status and award funds.
No. Requirements depend on the research. Projects involving people, animals, biological agents or hazardous materials may need approvals, permits, risk assessments or other documentation.
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Save this competition in Succeed to compare it with other essay prizes, deadlines and entry formats in one place.
Compare with other competitionsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027 - Regeneron Science Talent Search
- STS_021_26_E
- Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027 Application Questions
- STS_021_26_E
- STS Awards - Society for Science
- Regeneron STS Application Requirements - Society for Science
- STS: Frequently Asked Questions - Society for Science
- Regeneron Science Talent Search - Society for Science
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 1 Sept 2026)
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Judging process reviewed
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Official imagery reviewed
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