Society for Science Awards $64,000 to International Science Fairs

The Mawhiba Equitable Access Grants for International Affiliated Science Fairs Increases Community Impact

Washington, D.C. – Society for Science is pleased to announce that the organization has distributed $64,000 to science fairs in the Middle East, Africa and Asia in 2025 through The Mawhiba Equitable Access Grants for International Affiliated Science Fairs. Made possible by the generous support of King Abdulaziz & his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba”, the grants were used at the discretion of each fair to maximize impact within their communities.

Grants were provided to 10 science fairs, selected from 16 fairs that were eligible to receive the funding. All of the eligible fairs are members of the Society’s Affiliated Fair Network. Students who are nominated by these fairs compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international science competition for high school students. Fifty students representing these fairs participated in Regeneron ISEF 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

“These fairs play a crucial role in expanding STEM opportunities for youth across the world, and we are proud to partner with King Abdulaziz & his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, “Mawhiba,” on this initiative,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News.

Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Karidis, Secretary-General of King Abdulaziz & his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, “Mawhiba,” said, “Our partnership with the Society for Science reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to STEM opportunities worldwide and empowering talented youth to fulfill their creative and scientific potential. Through these grants, we are proud to support science fair participation across multiple countries, enabling young researchers to showcase their innovations on a global stage. By removing financial barriers, we help outstanding students bring their pioneering scientific projects to ISEF, strengthening the pipeline of future researchers and problem-solvers who will shape tomorrow’s world.”

He added, “At the Foundation, we see this partnership as a natural extension of our national and global interest to advance scientific research and nurture the next generation of scientific leaders. By investing in young researchers today, we are helping build a global network of STEM talent capable of tackling the most pressing challenges of the future. Our commitment remains firm: to promote scientific excellence that transcends borders and contributes to the advancement of knowledge and innovation for the benefit of all humanity.”

The initiative, which was originally funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, has awarded a total of $750,200 to science fairs around the world since its founding in 2020. Here is the complete list of the 2025 grantees:

  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina Science and Engineering Fair (Alexandria, Egypt)
  • Egypt Science and Engineering fair (Cairo & Upper Egypt)
  • Ha Noi Science Fair (Hanoi, Vietnam)
  • INPO (Iraq National Project Olympiad) (Erbil, Iraq)
  • Kenya Science and Engineering Fair (Nairobi, Kenya)
  • MISE Research Program (Accra, Ghana)
  • National Science and Engineering Fair Pakistan (Lahore, Pakistan)
  • Sri Lanka Science & Engineering Fair (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
  • Tunisian Science and Engineering Fair (Mahdia, Tunisia)
  • Zimbabwe National Science Fair (Harare, Zimbabwe)

About Society for Science

Society for Science is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, Society for Science is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science, is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).

About Mawhiba

King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity “Mawhiba” is a non-profit foundation in Saudi Arabia dedicated to fostering a culture of giftedness and creativity. It aims to identify and nurture talented and gifted students in scientific fields. The Foundation is motivates young people around the world to explore innovative methods in diverse fields of study. Learn more at www.mawhiba.org/En and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and Snapchat (Mawhiba).