Regeneron Science Talent Search: The Nation’s Most Prestigious Science Competition
The Regeneron Science Talent Search is widely hailed as the United State’s oldest and most prestigious STEM competition, with a national jury of scientists reviewing participants’ original research. Regeneron STS alums include twelve Nobel Prize laureates, eleven National Medal of Science recipients, and two Fields Medal recipients. Read on to learn more about this competition, its history and process, and how to join this esteemed community of alumni.
What is the Regeneron Science Talent Search?
The Regeneron Science Talent Search was established in 1942 by the Society for Science, a nonprofit dedicated to public engagement in the scientific process. Regeneron STS aims to recognize and empower promising young scientists to solve society’s urgent challenges and become exceptional scientific leaders.
Across the US, over 1,800 high school seniors each year conduct independent research and enter into Regeneron Science Talent Search. Judges recognize 300 scholars for excellence in research, and each is awarded $2,000. From this pool, 40 finalists are invited to Washington, D.C., for an all-expenses-paid trip to participate in final judging, showcase their work, compete for prizes up to $250,000, and connect with preeminent scientists and government leaders.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search Application Process
Applications are open to students in their final year of high school who (regardless of citizenship) reside in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake and Midway Islands, or the Marianas. All entrants must develop a research report to enter into Regeneron Science Talent Search. To apply, students must complete research projects individually, though they are allowed a mentor.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search application will be completed online, is free of charge, and will involve the following core components:
Essays, short responses, activities and basic information
A Scientific Research Report of at most 20 pages about your original research project
Recommendations and Transcripts
Up to 2 Educator Recommendations completed by the person(s) with the most familiarity with you in an academic setting
Up to 2 Project Recommendations completed by the person(s) with the most familiarity with your research
A High School Report, including an official high school transcript, a series of school profile questions to be completed by a Counselor, and an optional second transcript for any college courses you might have taken
Relevant documentation if your work involves human participants, human and vertebrate animal tissue studies, vertebrate animal studies, or PHBAs and hazardous materials
Optional Test Scores
The report will likely be the most intensive portion of the Regeneron Science Talent Search application. Review the guidelines below to ensure that your application will not be disqualified
It must report on original, individual research. Research proposals, incomplete investigations, reviews, and essays are ineligible
If you conducted research with a team, your report should disclose this but primarily discuss your individual contributions
It must be at most 20 pages, excluding the title, abstract, and bibliography
Your first page will be a title page with your name and your mentor’s if applicable
Your second page will be an abstract briefly describing your work
Include an introduction including the background and purpose of your work
Include an experimental design section, including methods and results
Include a conclusion discussing your results and their implications
Your last page will be a bibliography, including image citations
There is no required format/order for the research report
Further stylistic requirements (font, font size, spacing, marges, page numbers, etc.) can be found here
Applications for Regeneron Science Talent Search will open on June 1 and close on November 9, including recommendations, and the top scholars will be announced the following January.
The first part of the Regeneron Science Talent Search selection process is the eligibility screening, checking for all the proper paperwork, plagiarism, page count, original work, and meeting the application deadline. Each eligible project is then evaluated and scored by three or more Ph.D. level scientists.
While important, the research project is not the only factor in the award decisions. Instead, Regeneron Science Talent Search is designed to identify future STEM leaders. Judges evaluate your application holistically, looking at your potential as a future leader, your contribution to the research, your academic achievement, and the merit of your research.
Why Should You Apply to the Regeneron Science Talent Search
Given that the application is intensive and the selection process is rigorous, you might feel reluctant to apply. But the application is as rewarding as it is intensive! Here are some reasons to apply despite the steep workload:
Build a Community. Participating in Regeneron Science Talent Search will make you officially an STS alum, giving you access to the alumni network. These might be future roommates, start-up investors, or business/research partners, and they could help you find future jobs and research opportunities!
Become a Better Communicator. Effective science communication is at the heart of the Regeneron Science Talent Search competition, from the initial research report to the Finals Week presentation. Joining STS will build this essential skill in science that will help you apply for funding, research positions, mentorships, and possibly even use media opportunities to give your research an audience!
The Prizes. An excellent reason to apply is, of course, the prizes! All entrants will receive T-shirts, laptop stickers, and a year-long Science News subscription. If you are among the top 300 Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars, you and your school will receive $2000. If you are chosen among the top 40, prizes range from $25,000 to $250,000, and a fully paid Finals Week competition in Washington, D.C.!
How to Craft a Stand-Out Application for the Regeneron Science Talent Search
Now that we have covered the guidelines and requirements, we can focus on what you need to do to make your application stand out.
Cover Your Bases. Review and re-review the Regeneron Science Talent Search requirements before you submit. All the work in the world won’t be able to push your submission to the top if you are disqualified for your font size or not submitting the proper documentation.
Emphasize Your Contribution. The judges won’t know anything about you if you don’t include it in your Regeneron Science Talent Search application. If you were working in a group, emphasize your contribution to your research. Let your personality and communication style shine throughout your application.
Let Your Work Speak For Itself. Don’t worry if you haven’t competed in science fairs, published research, or have patents, and you don’t need a famous mentor or “novel” research. Scientific merit speaks for itself, so focus on effective research and clear writing in your Regeneron Science Talent Search application. It will outshine everything else.
Write, Write, and Rewrite. In order to evaluate you and your scientific work, you need to be able to communicate effectively. It is a myth that dense, technical language will show off your intelligence – always write for clarity, define your terms, and get feedback from a mentor.
Invest in Finding a Mentor. It might take multiple emails to local universities, but quality mentors take your work to the next level. The Regeneron Science Talent Search is highly competitive, so you will need your work to be at its absolute best. Mentors challenge you, push your work forward, guide your next steps, offer advice, and ensure that your writing enhances your application.
If you are interested in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, consider applying to the 1:1 Mentorship Program at InspiritAI! Quality mentors are essential if you want to craft a competitive application, and our mentors hail from the world's top research institutions and tech companies. Whether you are a coding novice or a virtuoso, our individualized mentorship program will help you develop an exceptional research project. For more information, do not hesitate to contact InspiritAI with questions.
