The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) is the oldest and one of the most prestigious science research competitions for U.S. high schoolers. Established in 1942, it’s open to high school seniors, who submit original research; each year 300 scholars are named, 40 become finalists, and the top award is $250,000. Here’s how to give yourself the best shot.
Strong research
- Original work: take on a project that’s innovative and shows real scientific curiosity. Pick a topic that genuinely interests you.
- Method: build a solid methodology. Careful experimentation, data collection, and analysis are what set strong projects apart.
Your project is the core of your STS application, so choose something you’re genuinely excited about, whether that’s astrophysics, biology, computer science, or anything else. Your enthusiasm shows in the research and the presentation.
Do thorough research
- Read the literature: start with journals, articles, and books on your topic. Understand what’s known and where the gaps are.
- Form research questions: from that reading, write questions that push past what’s already known.
- Design your experiment: whether it’s a lab experiment, field study, or computational analysis, make sure the approach is sound and the data collection is rigorous.
Find a mentor
- Seek out experts: reach out to teachers, professors, or professionals in your field. They can refine your methodology and offer insights that lift your project.
- Collaborate: working with a mentor strengthens your research and lends it credibility.
Sharpen your presentation
- Tell a clear story: present your research clearly and concisely, with a narrative that makes its significance obvious.
- Use good visuals: graphs, charts, and images make your findings easier to grasp and more memorable.
- Do mock presentations: practice with peers or mentors and refine your delivery on their feedback.
- See also: How to Make a Science Fair Poster Board (an ISEF winner’s guide).
Sweat the details
- Research report: prepare a thorough report (STS allows up to 20 pages) that clearly lays out your question, methods, findings, and conclusions, with clean formatting and citations.
- Data analysis: be meticulous, use appropriate statistics, and explain and interpret your results.
- Proofread: review the report several times to catch typos, errors, and inconsistencies.
Expect setbacks
Setbacks are part of research. Every scientist hits obstacles and unexpected results. Treat them as information: figure out what went wrong, adjust your approach, and keep going. Science rarely runs in a straight line, so iterate on your design, hypotheses, and methods as you learn, and keep getting feedback from mentors and peers.
Free STEM Guide, with 50+ opportunities and competitions
More competition lists: science fair competitions · math competitions · biology competitions
Show community impact
STS values more than the research itself. Contribute to your community through science (mentoring younger students, organizing events, working with local organizations), and think through the broader implications of your work: how it could benefit society, and any ethical considerations.
Rules and guidelines
- Complete all parts of the Regeneron STS online application.
- You and your mentor(s) must agree to the Ethics Statement.
- Compensation based on STS results is prohibited.
- One project entry per student.
- Get your mentor’s permission to enter the research.
- Entries are screened for plagiarism.
- No external website links in the research report.
- You can’t use AI tools for your application responses; you must write them yourself.
Follow these so your STS entry isn’t disqualified on a technicality.
Resources for winning science fairs
Rishab Jain won the Regeneron Young Scientist Award at ISEF and has run many research projects. He offers science fair coaching and a YouTube playlist on how to do research where he shares his strategies.
Leave a Reply