Judging and Awards

The Evaluation and Judging Process

Regeneron STS applications are first checked for eligibility, including meeting the Application Deadline, qualifying as a contestant, and submitting independent and original work. Eligible Regeneron STS entrants are then evaluated and scored by three Ph.D. level scientists. Each qualified project is scored based upon the online application questions, the Research Report, and the overall scientific potential of the student.

The top 300 entries are named scholars and are then reviewed again by a panel of 15 distinguished scientists from a variety of disciplines. Each year in late January, from among the 300 scholars, 40 finalists are announced. Each finalist will attend the Regeneron Science Talent Institute in March in Washington, DC to compete for top awards.

The Regeneron Science Talent Institute: One Amazing Week

In March, the 40 finalists travel to Washington, DC for the Regeneron Science Talent Institute. While in Washington, finalists display and present their research to the public. Finalists explain their research to thousands of visitors, many of them important figures in the government and scientific communities, promoting independent, inquiry-based science research. Each year, younger, highly-motivated students who plan to enter the Regeneron Science Talent Search during their senior year are inspired at this public exhibition. See highlights of the 2019 Finalists and the 2019 Finals Week here!

On the basis of interviews with the judging panel and presentation of their research, 10 top award winners are selected, including the top winner, who is provided with a $250,000 award.

Annual Awards of the Regeneron STS

Scholar Awards

Each of the 300 students named a scholar in the Regeneron STS will receive a $2,000 award for their outstanding scientific research. These awards will be mailed to scholars in late spring, upon completion of required verification information.

School Awards

The Regeneron STS School Award recognizes excellence in teaching and school support of individual student research. Each school will receive an award of $2,000 for each scholar named. The award is to contribute to excellence in science, math or engineering education at the recipient school. In the case of home schooling, the award will be given to an affiliated school or school district of the home school or a qualified designee, after consultation with the Regeneron STS program manager. The award will be mailed to the school in the spring upon completion of required verification information.

Finalist Awards

The Regeneron STS offers 10 top awards, with a top award of $250,000. All forty students receive at least $25,000. Students who place in the top ten instead receive awards ranging from $40,000 for tenth place to $250,000 for first place.