Every year, over 1,800 of the brightest students from 80+ countries gather at the Regeneron ISEF, the world’s most prestigious science fair — and only a few walk away as winners.
If you’ve ever wondered how students win ISEF, here’s the truth: It’s not just about a cool idea. It’s about crafting a publishable research paper, a clear innovation story, and showing world-class execution — with the right mentors by your side.
This guide breaks down exactly how to win ISEF in 2025, based on what we've learned helping students publish in top journals and reach the ISEF international stage through YRI.
Step 1 — Build a Compelling Story
The single biggest factor judges care about? Your narrative.
Winning ISEF projects tell a story — they don’t just show results.
What makes a winning story
- A problem that matters — climate change, cancer diagnostics, clean energy, AI ethics, food security
- A creative solution — an algorithm, material, or technique no one’s tried in that way
- A clear real-world impact — how it could change lives if scaled
Brainstorming tips
- Browse past finalists and winners: ISEF Project Database
- Start from a pain point you’ve seen in your community
- Combine two fields (AI + medicine, biotech + climate)
YRI Fellows have done projects like predicting heart failure with deep learning, designing carbon-capturing materials, and building low-cost genetic diagnostics. YRI helps students design competition-winning projects.
Step 2 — Find the Right Mentor
Almost every top ISEF project has PhD-level mentorship behind it. Judges can instantly tell when a project is backed by advanced expertise.
What a mentor does
- Guides your research design and methods
- Gives access to lab resources or datasets
- Reviews your paper and poster
- Helps you aim for publication in peer-reviewed journals
How to get a mentor
- Email professors at local universities (department pages list research areas)
- Connect on LinkedIn (here's Ishan's profile)
- Apply to YRI — matched 1:1 with PhD mentors from top universities. YRI provides expert mentorship for ISEF preparation.
Step 3 — Execute Like a Scientist
ISEF judges are scientists. Treat your work like real science.
What judges look for
- Original idea and innovation
- Rigor in data collection and analysis
- Reproducibility and clear methodology
- Ethical conduct
- Visual clarity in your poster
Deliverables you must have
- A full research paper (5,000–10,000 words)
- A clean poster presentation
- A logbook and dataset documenting your process
YRI students spend ~10 weeks building publication-ready papers while documenting every step — making their ISEF applications bulletproof.
Step 4 — Master the Presentation
Even brilliant projects lose if you can’t explain them clearly.
How to stand out to judges
- Practice a tight 2-minute pitch
- Prepare answers to technical questions
- Show confidence, passion, and ownership
- Use precise language without heavy jargon
Pro tip: Record yourself and critique clarity, pacing, and posture. YRI Fellows do mock judging rounds before competition week.
Step 5 — Build Early Credibility with Publications
Publishing your research before ISEF gives you massive credibility.
- Judges see it as proof your work passed expert review
- It makes your project stand out from 1,800+ competitors
- It helps with college admissions and scholarships
YRI guides students to journals and conferences appropriate for high-school research and helps with submission formatting and revisions. YRI provides comprehensive publication support.
Step 6 — Plan Your Timeline (Backwards)
Here’s a practical ISEF prep timeline:
| Month | Focus | ---| | Jul–Aug | Choose topic, find mentor | | Sep–Dec | Research + experiments | | Jan | Write paper + submit to a journal | | Feb | Apply to regional fair | | Mar–Apr | Win regional, prep for ISEF | | May | Compete at ISEF |
Most YRI Fellows start 6–12 months before ISEF and many place as semifinalists or finalists in their first attempt.
Step 7 — Build a Personal Brand Around Your Project
ISEF winners often get media coverage.
- Post updates on LinkedIn
- Create a simple portfolio site with your paper and press
- Get featured by your school newsletter or local media
This boosts credibility for college apps, scholarships, and internships.
The ISEF Success Formula (Recap)
- Compelling problem & narrative
- PhD-level mentorship
- Rigorous execution & documentation
- Polished presentation
- Publication + early credibility
Apply to the YRI Fellowship
If your dream is to win Regeneron ISEF, the clearest path is to work with people who’ve already done it.
At YRI you'll:
- Get matched 1:1 with PhD mentors
- Design and execute a competition-ready project
- Write a publication-grade paper
- Prepare for judging with mock rounds and poster coaching
YRI has helped students reach ISEF and win awards. Learn more about YRI's ISEF preparation program and start your journey to the ISEF stage.
FAQ
How long does prep take?
Typically 6–12 months, depending on project complexity.
Can I do this without school lab access?
Yes — you can use public datasets, cloud compute, or community labs.
Do I need prior research experience?
No — YRI specializes in taking students from zero to published.
Will this help for college admissions?
Absolutely — ISEF medals and publications are among the strongest academic credentials for selective colleges.
Written by Ishan Jain, Founder of YRI Fellowship