Imagine finishing high school with a research project that not only impresses top scientists but also earns you a quarter of a million dollars. That is the reality for the top winner of the Regeneron Science Talent Search, often called the Regeneron STS Scholarship by students and educators. Each year this competition awards a total of $3.1 million to America’s most promising young scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. The first-place prize of $250,000 stands as the largest scientific award available to any high school student in the United States.
If you are a high school senior with original STEM research, or a parent, teacher, or mentor supporting one, this guide covers everything you need to know about the Regeneron Science Talent Search. From its remarkable history and eligibility rules to the full award structure, application process, and strategies that help students stand out, you will find clear, actionable information to help you compete successfully.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: USA
- Host University: Any Institution
- Scholarship Type: Undergraduate Scholarships (cash prize awards for high school seniors that support college education)
- Eligible Countries: United States and its territories (students of any citizenship attending school there); United States citizens living abroad
- Scholarship Benefits: Up to $250,000, etc.
Overview of the Regeneron Science Talent Search
The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. Founded in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search and later sponsored by Intel, it has been powered by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals since 2017. Society for Science, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., administers the program.
Unlike many science fairs that emphasize team projects or classroom experiments, Regeneron STS focuses exclusively on independent, individual research. Students submit a full scientific paper describing original work in any area of science, mathematics, or engineering. A national panel of Ph.D.-level scientists evaluates the entries through a holistic process that considers scientific rigor, originality, the student’s intellectual contribution, academic achievement, and potential as a future leader in STEM.
Around 2,600 high school seniors enter each year. From that pool, 300 are named Scholars and 40 advance as Finalists to an all-expenses-paid week in Washington, D.C. The competition has produced extraordinary alumni, including 13 Nobel Prize winners, multiple National Medal of Science recipients, Fields Medalists, MacArthur Fellows, and founders of major technology and biotech companies.
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Why the Regeneron STS Matters for College and Career
Winning or even placing as a Scholar carries significant weight in college admissions, especially at highly selective STEM programs. Admissions officers recognize Regeneron STS as one of the strongest signals of genuine research ability and intellectual independence. Beyond prestige, the cash awards provide meaningful financial support for undergraduate studies. Finalists also gain rare networking opportunities with leading scientists, government leaders, and peers who often become lifelong collaborators.
Regeneron has committed substantial resources to the program, recently extending its sponsorship through 2036. The company and Society for Science have already awarded more than $31 million in prizes since 2017 and engaged over 20,000 young scientists.
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Who Is Eligible for the Regeneron Science Talent Search?
Eligibility is carefully defined:
- You must be in your last year of secondary school (high school senior) at the time of the application deadline and planning to graduate in the current academic cycle.
- You must be living in and attending school in the United States or its territories (any citizenship is accepted).
- U.S. citizens living abroad may also qualify.
- Students attending American schools abroad who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible.
- Research must be independent and individual. Team projects conducted with other high school students are not allowed, even if roles were divided or one student led the work. Collaboration with adult mentors or research groups is permitted provided the student’s independent contribution is clearly documented.
- Research completed during any year of high school is acceptable as long as the project includes data and results. Literature reviews or incomplete proposals do not qualify.
- Homeschooled students may apply under specific transcript and school-registration rules.
Regeneron Science Talent Search Awards and Benefits
The competition distributes $3.1 million annually. Here is the current award structure:
- All Entrants who submit a complete application by the deadline receive a t-shirt, laptop sticker, and one-year subscription to Science News magazine.
- Top 300 Scholars: Each receives $2,000. Their high school also receives $2,000 per Scholar to support STEM education. Scholars are invited to apply to Regeneron’s summer internship program.
- Top 40 Finalists: Each receives a minimum of $25,000 plus an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for Finals Week. During that week they present their research, meet leading scientists, and compete for the top prizes.
- Top 10 Awards:
- First Place: $250,000
- Second Place: $175,000
- Third Place: $150,000
- Fourth Place: $100,000
- Fifth Place: $90,000
- Sixth Place: $80,000
- Seventh Place: $70,000
- Eighth Place: $60,000
- Ninth Place: $50,000
- Tenth Place: $40,000
- The remaining 30 Finalists keep the $25,000 base award.
These cash prizes function as scholarship funds that winners typically apply toward college tuition, research expenses, or related educational costs.
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How to Apply for Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027: Application Requirements and Process
The application is free and submitted entirely online. Key components include:
- A Research Report (maximum 20 pages) written in the style of a scientific journal article, including title page, abstract, methods, results, discussion, and bibliography.
- Short-answer and essay questions about the student, the research process, challenges overcome, and future goals.
- Recommendations from teachers and research mentors (submitted through a secure online system).
- Official high school transcript.
- Optional standardized test scores.
- Required disclosures regarding mentorship relationships, paid research programs, use of artificial intelligence tools (permitted in research with disclosure but prohibited for drafting the report or essays), and any potential conflicts of interest.
Applications open on June 1 and close on a strict November deadline. For the 2027 competition the deadline is November 5, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Recommendations are also due at that exact time. Technical support closes one day earlier.
Start your application and review the current questions at the official portal: https://sciencetalentsearch.smapply.org/.
Timeline for the 2027 Regeneron Science Talent Search
- Application period: June 1 – November 5, 2026 (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Top 300 Scholars announced: January 7, 2027
- Top 40 Finalists announced: January 21, 2027
- Finals Week in Washington, D.C.: March 11–17, 2027
- Public Exhibition of Projects: March 14, 2027
- Awards Ceremony and top winners announced: March 16, 2027
Tips to Strengthen Your Regeneron STS Application
Successful applicants treat the Research Report as the centerpiece. Judges place the greatest weight on scientific quality, clarity of the student’s independent contribution, and evidence of original thinking. Clearly describe what you personally designed, executed, analyzed, and concluded. Discuss setbacks and how you adapted; judges value resilience and intellectual honesty.
Choose recommenders who can speak specifically to your research abilities and scientific potential rather than general academic performance. Start the application early so you can request recommendations well before the deadline. Review the official rules thoroughly, especially sections on human and animal subjects, hazardous materials, and AI usage.
Many past finalists emphasize that the process itself—writing a rigorous paper and reflecting on their work—proved more valuable than the outcome. Even entrants who do not advance gain experience that strengthens college applications and future research.
Official Resources and Next Steps
- Program home and latest news: https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/
- Application portal: https://sciencetalentsearch.smapply.org/
- Awards details: https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/sts-awards/
- Frequently asked questions: https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/frequently-asked-questions/
- Regeneron’s overview of the program: https://www.regeneron.com/responsibility/fueling-stem-innovators/sts
The Regeneron Science Talent Search remains one of the most rigorous and rewarding pathways for high school students who love discovery. With the 2027 application currently open, now is the ideal time to organize your research paper, secure recommendations, and submit a polished entry. Whether you ultimately earn Scholar recognition, reach Finals Week, or simply complete the demanding process, the experience positions you among the next generation of scientific leaders.