High school researchers often lack dedicated national platforms to showcase advanced independent scientific work. Pursuing high-level scientific research requires significant institutional resources, expert mentorship, and academic recognition. Without structured national pathways, exceptional pre-college research contributions frequently remain unrewarded. The Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027 addresses this issue by recognizing and rewarding outstanding young scientists across the United States.
Founded in 1942 and produced by Society for Science, the competition identifies the nation’s most promising future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Approximately 2,000 high school seniors submit original research reports each year for rigorous evaluation by doctoral-level scientists. The program evaluates both the scientific quality of the research project and the holistic academic potential of the entrant. Consequently, the competition provides substantial financial awards to individual scholars and their secondary schools.
Participating in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027 offers an unparalleled opportunity for high school seniors pursuing STEM careers. Entrants compete for financial awards ranging from $2,000 to the top prize of $250,000. Furthermore, top participants gain national visibility, joining a distinguished alumni network that includes Nobel Laureates and National Medals of Science recipients. Prospective applicants must adhere to strict scientific protocols and formal application guidelines to present a competitive submission.
Aslo apply for National Merit Scholarship Program (2027) Complete Application Guide.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Secondary school seniors entering undergraduate studies
- Location: United States of America (including U.S. territories and qualifying overseas schools)
- Host Institution(s): Society for Science / Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Program Period: One competition cycle (Finalists event held annually in March)
- Eligible Courses: Original research in any scientific discipline (including STEM fields, behavioral science, mathematics, and engineering)
- Target Audience: High school seniors in their final year of secondary school
- Application Deadline: November 5, 2026 (at 8:00 PM Eastern Time for the 2027 competition cycle)
Scholarship Coverage
The Regeneron Science Talent Search distributes over $3.1 million in financial awards annually to student entrants and participating schools.
- Top 40 Finalists: Each finalist receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for Finalists Week and guarantees a minimum award of $25,000.
- First Place Award: The top-ranked scholar receives a single prize of $250,000.
- Second and Third Place Awards: Second place receives $175,000, and third place receives $150,000.
- Fourth through Tenth Place Awards: Winners placed fourth through tenth receive financial awards ranging between $40,000 and $100,000.
- Top 300 Scholars: Three hundred entrants are named Scholars and receive an individual cash award of $2,000.
- School Excellence Awards: Each school affiliated with a Top 300 Scholar receives $2,000 per designated scholar to support STEM education initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria
Entrants must satisfy all legal, age, and academic requirements published by the Society for Science.
- Academic Standing: Applicants must be in their final year of secondary school (grade 12) on the application deadline. Students must complete high school graduation requirements during the current academic year.
- Age Requirement: Entrants must be over 13 years of age with legal parental consent, or be 18 years of age or older, or be an emancipated minor.
- Residency and Citizenship: Applicants must attend secondary school in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Midway Islands. U.S. citizens enrolled in accredited overseas American or Department of Defense schools are also eligible.
- Individual Research Requirement: Research must be completed strictly on an individual basis. Team research projects are strictly ineligible for submission.
- Originality of Data: Projects must present original empirical data, analysis, and conclusions. Pure literature reviews or hypothetical proposals are disqualified.
Required Application Components
Regeneron Science Talent Search Applicants must submit a fully compiled digital dossier through the online application system before the official deadline.
- Original Research Report: A maximum 20-page scientific manuscript detailing the background, methodology, data analysis, results, and conclusions of the independent project.
- Short Essay Responses: Written answers demonstrating scientific curiosity, leadership capabilities, personal motivation, and problem-solving skills.
- Project & Ethical Documentation (Task 7): Official institutional approvals, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) paperwork, if human or animal subjects were involved.
- Educator Recommendation: A written evaluation completed by a secondary school science teacher familiar with the academic progress of the applicant.
- Project Recommendation: An official evaluation submitted by the research mentor, supervisor, or laboratory director who oversaw the scientific project.
- High School Report (Transcript): Official secondary school transcripts uploaded directly by the guidance counselor or designated school official.
Selection Criteria
Applications undergo a holistic review conducted by PhD-level scientists across twenty scientific categories. Evaluators evaluate the overall potential of the student as a future scientific leader.
- Scientific Research Quality (Primary Weight): Evaluators assess the scientific rigor, originality, analytical depth, and clarity of the submitted research paper.
- Student Independence: Evaluators determine the extent to which the student independently initiated, designed, and executed the scientific investigation versus work performed by supervising laboratory personnel.
- Academic Achievement: The committee reviews secondary school transcripts and academic records to verify sustained academic performance.
- Leadership and Character: Evaluators analyze essay responses and recommendation letters to identify initiative, resilience, community engagement, and scientific leadership potential.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The Regeneron Science Talent Search application sequence requires careful planning, data collection, and administrative coordination across multiple months. Cover the menetioned 6 steps.
1. Project Execution and Data Collection
- The student designs and conducts an independent scientific, mathematical, or engineering research study.
- Complete data gathering and statistical analyses are finalized prior to manuscript drafting.
- Proper ethical approvals (IRB or IACUC) are secured before commencing testing on human participants or animal subjects.
2. Registration on the Online Portal
- The applicant creates an account on the official Society for Science application portal.
- Personal identification details, school affiliation, and scientific category choices are specified.
3. Recommender Registration
- The applicant registers three required recommenders within the portal system.
- Recommenders receive automated notifications to upload official recommendation letters and high school transcripts.
4. Research Report Composition
- The applicant drafts a standard scientific manuscript strictly following the formatting guidelines (maximum 20 pages).
- The manuscript is uploaded to the application system in PDF format.
5. Application Essay and Task Completion
- The applicant completes all short essay tasks addressing scientific motivations and leadership experiences.
- The entrant completes the ethical compliance questionnaire regarding laboratory safety and human/animal subjects.
6. Final Verification and Submission
- The applicant reviews all uploaded sections for completeness and scientific accuracy.
- The final application package is submitted electronically prior to the deadline of November 5, 2026, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.
Regeneron Science Talent Search Important Dates and Deadlines
Here Strict adherence to competition milestones is required for all applicants for Regeneron Science Talent Search.
- Application Portal Opens: June 2026
- Technical Customer Support Deadline: November 4, 2026 (8:00 PM ET)
- Application and Recommendation Deadline: November 5, 2026 (8:00 PM ET)
- Top 300 Scholars Announcement: Early January 2027
- Top 40 Finalists Announcement: Late January 2027
- Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalists Week (Washington, D.C.): March 2027
Advantages and Limitations
Advantages
- Provides direct financial support ranging up to $250,000 for undergraduate studies.
- Grants high-visibility national recognition within the scientific community.
- Distributes funding directly to secondary schools to enhance institutional laboratory facilities.
- Connects participants with an elite alumni network composed of leading global researchers.
Limitations
- Team projects are strictly excluded from participation.
- Requires extensive time commitments for scientific writing and documentation.
- The evaluation process is highly selective, admitting approximately 300 scholars out of thousands of applicants.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Submitting Team Research: Presenting work performed collaboratively with another pre-college student results in automatic disqualification.
- Missing Ethical Approvals: Failing to upload signed IRB or IACUC documentation for projects involving humans or vertebrate animals invalidates the submission.
- Unclear Attribution of Work: Failing to delineate between personal contributions and laboratory supervisor contributions reduces scores during peer evaluation.
- Formatting Non-Compliance: Exceeding the mandatory 20-page manuscript limit causes automatic paper rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are standardized test scores mandatory for entry?
No. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are optional and are not required to complete the submission.
2. Can homeschooled students participate in the competition?
Yes. Homeschooled seniors residing in the United States are fully eligible provided their coursework satisfies high school graduation standards.
3. Can a student submit a project performed at a university laboratory?
Yes. Research conducted in professional laboratory facilities is permitted, provided the student clearly specifies their independent contribution.
4. Is published scientific work required to apply?
No. Publication in a peer-reviewed journal is not a prerequisite for entry.
5. Are non-U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. eligible?
Yes. Any student enrolled in and attending their final year of high school in the United States is eligible regardless of citizenship status.
Apply Now
Official Website Link: Society for Science – Regeneron STS
