The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) is, in its organizer's words, the nation's oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school students. It is open only to students in their final year of high school.
Each year, 300 students become Scholars (receiving $2,000 each, with another $2,000 to their school), and 40 become Finalists, each winning at least $25,000 and competing for awards up to $250,000.
This guide shows you how to build a competitive STS application.
What is Regeneron STS?
Overview
- Who: Students in their final year of high school living in the US or its territories, plus US citizens attending school abroad
- What: Original research competition
- When: For STS 2027, the application closes November 5, 2026 at 8 pm ET; Scholars are announced January 7, 2027, Finalists January 21, 2027, and Finals Week runs March 11 to 17, 2027
- Awards: 300 Scholars ($2,000 each, plus $2,000 to the school); 40 Finalists ($25,000 to $250,000); about $3.1 million in total each year
- History: Running since 1942, sponsored by Westinghouse, then Intel from 1998, and Regeneron since 2016
What Makes STS Unique
The STS Application
Application Components
1. Research Report (20 pages max; pages beyond 20 are not read)
- Full write-up of your research
- Methods, results, discussion
- References
- This is the core of your application
2. Additional Research Materials
- Abstract
- Supplementary data
- Code/files if relevant
3. Application Sections and Short Essays
- Short essays about you, your goals and your project
- Previous research history (a first project is fine)
- Activities, interests and awards (up to seven activities)
- Disclosure of all support you received on the project and application
4. Recommendations
- Educator Recommendation (up to 2), from the person who knows you best academically
- Project Recommendation (up to 2), from the person closest to your research
- High School Report, your transcript uploaded by your counselor
5. Transcripts and Test Scores
- Academic record
- Standardized test scores (optional)
Key Dates (Typical Year)
These are the official STS 2027 dates.
- June 1, 2026: Application opens
- November 5, 2026, 8 pm ET: Application and recommendation deadline
- January 7, 2027: Scholars announced (top 300)
- January 21, 2027: Finalists announced (top 40)
- March 11 to 17, 2027: Finals Week in Washington, D.C.
- March 16, 2027: Top 10 awards announced
How Selection Actually Works
Every eligible entry is evaluated by three or more doctoral scientists, mathematicians or engineers in the field, in four areas: the research report and scientific merit, your contribution to the research, academic aptitude and achievement, and overall potential as a future leader of the scientific community. The research report carries the greatest weight. Not the interview, not the essays, not the school name. The paper.
The top 300 become Scholars, each earning $2,000 with another $2,000 going to their school. An additional judging panel of doctoral scientists, mathematicians and engineers then selects the 40 Finalists, who travel to Washington for a week of project judging and panel judging that decides the top 10 awards.
That means Scholar is decided entirely on paper. Nobody meets you. Your written report does all the talking, to scientists in your field. Students who have already been through peer review have had their report tested by expert readers once before, which shows in the writing.
What Judges Look For
Research Quality (Most Important)
Originality
- Does the project ask a novel question?
- Is the approach innovative?
- Does it add to human knowledge?
Rigor
- Is the methodology sound?
- Are conclusions supported by data?
- Are limitations acknowledged?
Significance
- Why does this matter?
- What's the potential impact?
- Does it advance the field?
Your Personal Contribution
- What did YOU specifically do?
- Can you explain and defend every aspect?
- Is this clearly your work?
Beyond Research
Leadership and Initiative
- What have you done beyond your research?
- Have you started things, not just joined?
- Do you impact your community?
Communication
- Can you explain complex ideas clearly?
- Is your writing precise and engaging?
- Do you show passion for your work?
Character
- How do you handle challenges?
- What motivates you?
- Are you intellectually curious beyond your project?
Building a Competitive STS Application
Timeline (For Seniors Applying This Year)
Junior Year Summer
- Active research phase
- Generate substantial results
- Document everything carefully
Senior Year Fall
- September: Begin writing research report
- October: Refine essays, gather recommendations
- Early November: Polish application
- Mid-November: Submit
Working Backwards From November
Because STS is open only to students in their final year of high school, you get exactly one shot, in 12th grade. Research from any year of high school is eligible. That makes it less a senior-year activity and more the destination that sophomore and junior year research should be aimed at.
| Grade | What is happening |
|---|---|
| 10th | Research skills built, first project completed, ideally published |
| 11th | The STS project: original, individual, substantial. Research through the year, data by summer |
| Summer before 12th | Paper written and revised, recommendations arranged |
| September-October, 12th | Application essays, forms, final polish |
| November | Submit, days early |
If you are reading this as a junior or younger, you are exactly on time. If you are a senior with finished research, you are in the small group that can actually execute this in the window.
Research Report Best Practices
Structure (Similar to journal paper):
Writing quality matters:
- Clear, precise language
- Logical flow
- Professional presentation
- Appropriate citations
Emphasize YOUR contribution:
- First person is fine ("I designed...")
- Be specific about your role
- If collaborative, clarify what you did
- Acknowledge help appropriately
Essays: Show Who You Are
Common essay mistakes:
- Rehashing the research report
- Generic claims without specifics
- Focusing on outcomes, not process
- Missing the "why it matters to you"
Strong essays:
- Tell specific stories
- Show intellectual personality
- Reveal genuine curiosity
- Connect past to future
Key essay questions to address:
- Why did you pursue this research?
- What excited you about it?
- How has it changed your thinking?
- What will you do next?
Recommendations
Who to ask:
- Research mentor (ideally PhD/professor)
- Science/math teacher who knows you well
What they should cover:
- Your research capabilities
- Your independent thinking
- Your character and work ethic
- Comparison to other students
How to help them:
- Give them your resume and essays
- Remind them of specific examples
- Provide context about STS
- Give them plenty of time
From Scholar to Finalist
What Differentiates Finalists
The jump from Scholar (top 300) to Finalist (top 40) requires exceptional:
Finals Week
If selected as a Finalist:
- Travel to Washington, D.C. for a week
- Present your research to judges
- Interview with panels
- Meet other finalists and scientists
- Attend award ceremony
The Interview
Finalists go through two types of judging: project judging on their research, and panel judging on the depth and breadth of their general scientific knowledge:
- Can you explain your research deeply?
- Can you respond to challenges?
- Do you understand the broader context?
- Are you intellectually curious beyond your project?
STS Success Strategies
1. Start Research Early
Most successful STS projects represent 1-2+ years of work.
Timeline:
- Sophomore year: Begin exploring research areas
- Junior year: Active research, generate results
- Senior fall: Polish application, continue research
2. Aim for Publication
A published or submitted paper strengthens your application:
- External validation of quality
- Shows completion of research cycle
- Provides additional context for judges
3. Get Expert Mentorship
Working with a PhD or professor:
- Improves research quality
- Provides strong recommendation
- Helps navigate academic standards
- The YRI Fellowship matches students with PhD mentors
4. Document Everything
Your application needs specifics:
- Keep detailed lab notebooks
- Save all data and analysis
- Record your decision-making process
- Have evidence of your contributions
5. Practice Explaining Your Work
If you become a Finalist:
- Practice explaining to non-experts
- Prepare for deep technical questions
- Develop your "story"
- Get feedback from multiple people
6. Enter Everything Else Too
The same project that goes to STS in the fall can compete at your regional fair, JSHS and ISEF in the spring. STS is one room the work enters, not the only one. Plan the full season with the 2026-27 deadline calendar.
Example Strong STS Project Elements
Clear Significance
"Current diagnostic methods for [disease] miss 30% of cases. My approach improves detection by..."
Novel Methodology
"I developed a new technique combining [X] and [Y] that has not been previously attempted..."
Rigorous Results
"Analysis of 1,000+ samples showed statistically significant improvement (p\less than 0.001) compared to standard methods..."
Personal Investment
"After my grandfather was misdiagnosed, I became determined to understand why current methods fail..."
Future Directions
"This work opens possibilities for [application]. I plan to continue by investigating..."
Common STS Mistakes
In Research
In Application
Getting Expert Support
Success in STS requires high-quality research and strong mentorship.
The YRI Fellowship provides:
- 1:1 PhD mentorship: Expert guidance for competitive research
- Publication support: Get your research published
- Application guidance: Navigate competition requirements
- Interview preparation: Practice for Finalist interviews
ISEF and JSHS preparation is included, and 73% of Fellows place at competitions. See the YRI Fellowship success rate, or learn more about how YRI prepares students for competitions.
Resources
Official Resources
Preparation Resources
Where to go next
If this answered your question, the next ones are usually: how to publish research as a high school student, the best research programs for high school students, and how to find a research mentor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is Regeneron STS? Very competitive. Over 2,600 seniors entered the 2026 competition, the largest pool since 1967, for 300 Scholar spots (about 11%) and 40 Finalist spots (about 1.5%). This is one of the most selective competitions.
When should I start preparing for STS? Ideally sophomore year. Most competitive projects represent 1-2+ years of research. Junior year is the latest to start if you want substantial results.
Do I need a mentor to apply to STS? Not required, but strongly recommended. Mentorship improves research quality, and the person closest to your research can write your Project Recommendation. You must disclose all support you received on the project.
What fields are most competitive? All fields are competitive. Success depends on research quality, not field. However, judges expect appropriate rigor for your field, biomedical, CS/math, physical sciences, and social sciences all have winners.
Can I submit mentored research to STS? Yes, and most competitive entries are mentored. STS requires individual research and asks precisely who did what, so the ideas, the analysis and the writing must be defensibly your own, and your mentor's role must be disclosed accurately. Team projects are not accepted.
Can international students apply? STS is open to students in their final year of high school who live in the US or its territories, regardless of citizenship, and to US citizens attending school abroad. Non-citizens attending American schools abroad are not eligible, so international students outside the US should look at other competitions.
What happens if I become a Scholar? Scholars receive $2,000, their school receives $2,000, and you get recognition. You're in the top 300 nationwide. This is significant for college applications even if you don't make Finalist.
What happens at Finals Week? Finalists travel to Washington, D.C. for a week. You present your research, interview with judges, meet scientists and other finalists, and attend the awards ceremony.
Next Steps
Related guides:
- How to Win ISEF
- How to Win JSHS
- Best Research Programs for High School Students
- The Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Sources
- Society for Science: Regeneron Science Talent Search 2027 (overview, awards, alumni honors, applicant pool)
- Society for Science: Regeneron STS 2027 Official Rules (dates, eligibility, judging, awards, report limit, recommendations)
- Society for Science: Regeneron STS frequently asked questions
- Society for Science: Regeneron STS application requirements
- Society for Science: 70 years of the Science Talent Search (Westinghouse and Intel sponsorship)
