STS (Regeneron Science Talent Search)

Description:

Regeneron STS is one of the oldest and most prestigious science competitions for high school students. It aims to identify, inspire, and engage the nation’s most promising future leaders in STEM. Around 2,600 students enter the Regeneron STS each year, with each of the students bringing their unique research, thoughts, and experiences. In total, 3.1$ million in prize money is being distributed each year, with the first place receiving 250,000$.

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  • Borrowed directly from the official website:

    • TASK 1: ELIGIBILITY - Determine eligibility.

    • TASK 2: ABOUT YOU - Demographic information.

    • TASK 3: SCHOOL INFORMATION - Tell us about your school.

    • TASK 4: RECOMMENDATION REQUESTS - Request recommendations from adults via the online system. Adults will answer questions about your research, your personality, your school,‌ share your transcript, and more.

    • TASK 5: DISCLOSURES - All entrants are required to disclose support of any kind received throughout their research and application experience, from paid support, AI use, and any pre-existing relationships.

    • TASK 6: SCIENCE RESEARCH DESCRIPTION - Answer questions about your research project.

    • TASK 7: RULES WIZARD - Answer questions to determine if IRB/IACUC approvals, blank surveys,‌ informed consent, wildlife permits, etc. are needed. See Appendices 9-13 for more ‌ information.‌

    • ‌TASK 8: RESEARCH REPORT UPLOAD - Upload a 20-page original research paper about your project. See Appendix 2‌ for paper guidelines and Appendix 3 for citation requirements.

    • TASK 9: PREVIOUS RESEARCH - Outline your history as a scientist, engineer or mathematician — it’s ok if this is‌ your first project!

    • TASK 10: ESSAY QUESTIONS - Tell us more about you, your goals and your project.

    • TASK 11: ACTIVITIES, INTERESTS AND AWARDS - Tell us how you spend your time. Students may list up to seven activities.

    • TASK 12: TEST SCORES (OPTIONAL)

    • This is the main deliverable for STS, which must clarify the original individual research conducted.

    • This is an opportunity for contestants to show their ability to complete projects in their field of interest.

    • This must report completed individual research with results. Proposals, incomplete research, literature reviews, and essays are not eligible for this competition.

    • No additional materials are allowed to be submitted after the deadline.

    • The structure is listed in the rules document on the official website; please refer to that for details.

    • Because Regeneron STS aims to identify and inspire future leaders in science, technology, and engineering, all the materials submitted by an applicant will be taken into account for the selection process, not just the research project (although it is very important).

    • For the initial stage, every eligible submission will be evaluated by three or more doctoral scientists, mathematicians, and/or engineers in related disciplines.

    • For the 300 top scholars selected, their work will be evaluated by a panel made up of doctoral scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, and they will select 40 top scholars.

    • These 40 top scholars will travel to Washington, DC (all expenses paid) to compete for the top 10 awards. These 40 scholars will be judged through 2 rounds: project judging (their research-related work) and panel judging (evaluating the depth of their general scientific knowledge).

    • All eligible entries are evaluated from the following categories:

      • Research Report and Scientific Merit‌

      • Student Contribution to the Research‌

      • Academic Aptitude and Achievement‌

      • Overall Potential as a Future Leader of the Scientific Community

Competition Details:

Official website: click here

More Informations:

    • Age: over the age of 13 with parental consent or be 18 years of age or older but under 21

    • Citizenship: A student with any citizenship who is enrolled in or attending secondary school, and who maintains full-time residence in the US.

    • Schooling Status: Applicants must be in their final year of high school and have not graduated by the STS deadline. Students must not have competed in the previous STSs.

    • Type of Research: Applicants must complete individual research projects to enter Regeneron STS.

    • Details: See the official rules on the official website.

    1. first place: 250,000$

    2. second place: 175,000$

    3. third place: 150,00$

    4. fourth place: 100,000$

    5. fifth place: 90,000$

    6. sixth place: 80,000$

    7. seventh place: 70,000$

    8. eighth place: 60,000$

    9. ninth place: 50,000$

    10. tenth place: 40,000$

    11. remaining thirty finalists: 25,000$

Timeline:

STS Application Period: June 1 - November 5, 2026 (8pm ET)

Top 300 Scholars Announced: January 7, 2027

Top 40 Finalists Announced: January 21, 2027

Regeneron STS Finals Week: March 11-17, 2027