Regeneron Science Talent Search

Regeneron STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school students. Started in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, Regeneron STS recognizes and empowers our nation’s most promising young scientists who are developing ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.

Each year, nearly 2,000 students enter the Regeneron STS, submitting original research in critically important scientific fields of study. Unique among high school competitions, the Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation’s most promising future leaders in STEM.

Regeneron Science Talent Search Application Requirements

The Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024 application is now open through November 8, 2023. Applications are only accepted through the online system and must be properly submitted by the application deadline. Regeneron STS identifies future leaders in science, and uses a holistic review process that includes many components.

Requirements of the Application

1. A Research Report describing an original, independent research project that meets all eligibility requirements. Research conducted during any year of high school is eligible for Regeneron STS.

View the online guidelines for Research Reports.

Am I Eligible?

1. AGE

Applicants must:

• be over 13 years of age and have legal parental or guardian consent to submit the application and participate, OR
• be 18 years of age or older, OR
• be an emancipated minor.

CITIZENSHIP

On the application deadline, applicants must be:

a. A student (of any citizenship) who is enrolled in and attending secondary school AND who maintains full-time residence in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake and Midway Islands or the Marianas OR

b. A United States citizen enrolled in their final year of secondary school on the application deadline date attending a:

i. Department of Defense Dependents School or an accredited overseas American or International School, OR

ii. foreign school as an exchange student, OR

foreign school because their parent(s)/guardian(s) are temporarily working and living abroad.

iii. Proof of citizenship and school accreditation is required for 2b (above).

SCHOOL STATUS

Applicants must be in their final year of their secondary school (public, private, parochial, charter or home school), completing high school courses required for college applications, must not have graduated from high school before the Regeneron STS application deadline, and must not have entered any previous STS.

a. Students who are uncertain of their graduation year at the time of entry must notify the Society by December 15, 2023 to either withdraw their application due to continued uncertainty, or confirm that they will graduate in the 2023/2024 academic year.

TYPE OF RESEARCH

a. Applicants must complete individual research projects to enter Regeneron STS. Research conducted as part of a pre-collegiate student team project is not eligible for Regeneron STS. This includes any research or portion of research regardless of whether it has or will be submitted to any competition. To remain eligible and collect Regeneron STS awards, the following statements must remain true about the submitted research project until June 1, 2024:

i. Students may not “split” a team project and enter it in Regeneron STS as individuals. Students also may not within the time between submission to Regeneron STS in November 2023 and June 2024 combine individual research submitted to Regeneron STS and present it as a team in competition, publications or any forum.

ii. Students who have been part of a team project wishing to continue as an individual may only submit the work completed independently and may not submit any work completed with the teammates.

iii. Research conducted alongside adult researchers in a research institution is permitted, but clarity and adequate knowledge of an individual’s role and independence vs. work being done by the collective laboratory throughout the application is vital. Consideration should be given to the extent to which the research qualifies as independent research, given the student and adult responsibilities.

b. Continuation research projects and research completed over any length of time in any year of school is eligible for Regeneron STS.

View the online CHECKLIST FOR REGENERON STS ENTRANTS to ensure all components are completed.