Society for Science (the Society) announced that Michelle Hua, 16, of Troy, Michigan, won the
$75,000 top award in the 2021 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), the world s largest global high school competition. Historically held in person, 2021 marks the first time in its more than 70-year history that the competition took place virtually.
The top finalists were honored during two virtual award ceremonies, the first of which aired on the evening of May 20 and featured Special Award winners. The Grand Awards Ceremony was held on the morning of May 21 and featured the announcement of the top prize of $75,000. In total, more than U.S. $5 million was awarded to the finalists, who were evaluated based on their projects creativity, innovation and level of scientific inquiry. The competition featured over 1,800 young scientists representing 49 states and 64 countries across the world.
May 5, 2021 2021 Regeneron ISEF sponsors
Beyond the virtual nature of the 2021 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), visitors to this year’s fair who are familiar with the competition will notice some other changes as well.
Regeneron is in its second year as ISEF’s title sponsor, but because last year’s event was a project showcase rather than a competition, due to the pandemic, this is the first year the company will distribute awards as part of its sponsorship. In December 2019, the Society for Science and Regeneron announced the company would be ISEF’s new title sponsor, building on Regeneron’s commitment to advance STEM education. Regeneron is part of a new community of sponsors that are all working together to support ISEF the world’s most powerful STEM research talent pipeline.