Although discovery can be its own reward for students of science, Society for Science & the Public enhances accomplishment by providing scholarships, equipment grants, and scientific field trips through the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF).

What is the Intel ISEF?

The Intel ISEF is the the world's largest pre-college science competition. Now in its 59th year, the Intel ISEF is the world's only science project competition for students in the ninth through twelfth grades. The Intel ISEF brings together students, teachers, corporate executives, and government officials from around the world. Students compete for over $4 million in scholarships, tuition grants, scientific equipment, and scientific trips.

Who sponsors the International Science and Engineering Fair?

Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, has owned and administered the ISEF since its inception in 1950. The corporate world has long been a friend of the ISEF, because it recognizes the urgency of promoting achievement in science to students worldwide.

Title Sponsor - Intel

In 1997, Intel became the title sponsor of the ISEF. Since that time they have heightened the visibility of the fair, and have made the Intel ISEF a world-renowned program with true international flavor and participation. Intel's sponsorship of the Intel ISEF is part of the Intel® Innovation in Education initiative, a sustained commitment - in collaboration with educators and government leaders worldwide - to help prepare students to succeed in a knowledge-based economy.

Other Intel ISEF Sponsors

Society for Science & the Public is pleased to have received significant support from Agilent Technologies, Alcatel-Lucent and the Ricoh Corporation for the Intel ISEF. Additional Sponsors included the State of Georgia, the Kendeda Fund, Science News Magazine, and Shell Oil.

Special Award Organizations

Each year, over 70 organizations representing a wide variety of scientific disciplines affiliate with the Intel ISEF as Special Awards Organizations. These governmental, industrial, and educational institutions present grants, scholarships, internships, and scientific field trips to finalists at affiliated fairs and at the Intel ISEF.

Special Awards List

Who participates?

Students that compete in Intel ISEF emerge from a worldwide field of several million science fair participants during the academic year. They move on to compete with more than 65,000 students at more than 500 regional Intel ISEF affiliated science fairs around the world to win the right to attend the Intel ISEF. There are Intel ISEF affiliated fairs in over 40 countries and territories, and in the U.S. fairs exist in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Each affiliated fair may select 2 individual projects and 1 team project to travel to the Intel ISEF to compete in 18 different categories: Animal Sciences, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical, Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering, Energy and Transportation, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Mathematical Sciences, Medicine & Health, Microbiology, Physics and Astronomy, Plant Sciences and Team Projects.

What is an Intel ISEF-affiliated Science Fair?

An Intel ISEF-affiliated science fair is a science competition that is a member of the Intel ISEF network. These competitions exist in 46 states and the District of Columbia, and over 40 countries and territories. All Intel ISEF-affiliated science fairs register with Society for Science & the Public and must consist of five participating high schools or 50 students in the ninth through twelth grades. Fairs are conducted at local, regional, state and national levels. More information on the affiliated science fair nearest you and how to affiliate with the Intel ISEF is available through Society for Science & the Public.

What are the rewards?

More than 600 individual and team awards will be presented at the 58^th Intel ISEF. Each entry is judged at least four times with category awards given in first, second, third and fourth place. Awards are $3,000, $1,500, $1,000 and $500 respectively in each of the 18 categories. Additional awards worth over $2.5 million include tuition scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips, and laboratory equipment provided by Intel, Society for Science & the Public, and nearly 70 other corporate, professional, and government sponsors. The top three winners of the Intel ISEF receive a $50,000 scholarship.

When and where is the Intel ISEF held?

The Intel ISEF is held in a different city each May. The Host City Committee is responsible for securing facilities, recruiting judges, promoting volunteerism, and arranging tours, as well as raising close to $1 million for Intel ISEF support. Additionally, Host Cities enjoy the pride of hosting an international event, and, in the process, generate over $4 million for the local economy.

Who are the judges?

Over 1,200 science, engineering, and industry professionals serve as judges for the Intel ISEF. All judges have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree and/or six years of relevant experience. Judges, who are recruited by the Host City Committee, volunteer their time and pay their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Want more information?

Contact:

Society for Science & the Public
Intel ISEF
1719 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

phone: 202/785-2255
fax: 202/785-1243
e-mail: sciedu@societyforscience.org