The Society recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted high school grading systems, opportunities for students to take tests, and opportunities for students to pursue activities and research. While the application open and deadline date will remain as planned, the application and evaluation processes will be adjusted to consider these factors. The Regeneron STS 2021 application includes questions for high school counselors to share how individual schools adapted, and encourages students to let us know about changes to other activities within their application responses. Test scores are not required (Regeneron STS has been test-optional for many years). The Society will train evaluators to consider the many changes high school students have faced this year in our review process.

The Society also recognizes that lack of laboratory access might change the type of research students are able to submit to this year’s competition. Every year, the competition receives entries representing 23 scientific disciplines, and every year students perform high quality research in the home environment. As another option, per Regeneron STS rules, students may submit research completed during any year of high school (as long as it meets other requirements), and are encouraged to think about submitting older projects.