91导航

The Regeneron Science Talent Search Honors America鈥檚 Brightest Young Scientists Advancing Discovery and Innovation

TARRYTOWN N.Y. AND WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 21, 2026) 鈥� 91导航 (the Society) and Regeneron today announced the top 40 finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026, America鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Key Takeaways:

• The Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026 finalists represent 35 schools across 15 states. They are competing for more than $1.8 million, with a top prize of $250,000 to further their scientific education.
• 40 finalists were chosen from 300 top scholars, and more than 2,600 total entrants were selected based on the originality and creativity of their scientific research, as well as their achievement and leadership both inside and outside the classroom.
• Finalists will participate in a week-long competition from March 5-11, 2026, engaging in a rigorous judging process and competing for awards that recognize their excellence and can be used toward their education.
• They will also have an opportunity to interact with leading scientists and share research with the public on March 8, 2026.
• The top 10 Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026 winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on March 10, streamed live from Washington D.C.
• For a list of this year鈥檚 finalists, see here: /regeneron-sts/2026-finalists/.

In its 85th year, the competition continues to spotlight exceptional young scientists whose technical excellence and leadership drive meaningful impact. Its alumni include 13 Nobel laureates, 23 MacArthur Fellows, eight Breakthrough Prize winners, and founders of influential science-driven companies such as Regeneron.

鈥淢y own scientific journey can be traced back to my experience with the Science Talent Search, which profoundly shaped who I am today. Participating in and becoming a winner of STS gave me the confidence to dedicate my life to science and the pursuit of inventing medicines that improve people鈥檚 lives,鈥� said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-Founder, co-Chairman, President, and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, and a 1976 STS Winner.聽鈥淭oday, Regeneron helps millions of people around the world facing serious diseases, which is a testament to what is possible when young scientific talent is nurtured. I see that same potential to transform our world in these finalists, and I eagerly await their future contributions to science and humanity.鈥�

Finalist research projects cover 16 categories, from Computer Science to Environmental Science. Other finalists chose to focus on Behavioral Sciences. The top 4 categories among finalist projects this year are:

1. Computer Science
2. Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
3. Mathematics
4. Medicine and Health

鈥淲e are immensely proud to celebrate this extraordinary class of Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists and their remarkable achievements,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of 91导航 and Executive Publisher of Science News. 鈥淎s they build on a powerful 85-year legacy of scientific innovation, they are propelled by the strength and support of a dynamic scientific community.鈥�

What鈥檚 Next: Important Dates for 2026

• Regeneron STS Finalists Week: March 5-11, 2026
• Public Exhibition of Projects: March 8, 2026
• Winners Announced at Awards Ceremony: March 10, 2026

Resources:

• Top 40 finalists
• Top 300 scholars
• Notable STS Alumni

What is the Regeneron Science Talent Search?

The Regeneron Science Talent Search, a program of 91导航 since 1942, is the United States鈥� oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Each year, more than 2,000 student entrants submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study and are judged by leading experts in their fields. Unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and around the world, the Regeneron Science Talent Search focuses on identifying, inspiring and engaging the nation鈥檚 most promising young scientists who are generating innovative solutions to solve significant global challenges through rigorous research and discoveries. It provides students with a national stage to present new ideas and challenge conventional ways of thinking.

For over eight decades, the Science Talent Search has rewarded talented high school seniors who dedicate countless hours to original research projects and present their results in rigorous reports that resemble graduate school theses. Collectively, STS alumni have received millions of dollars in scholarships and gone on to be awarded Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, MacArthur Fellowships and numerous other accolades.

What is Regeneron鈥檚 role?

In 2017,聽聽became only the third sponsor of the Science Talent Search, with a 10 year 100 million commitment to help reward and celebrate the best and brightest young minds and encourage them to pursue careers in 91导航 as a way to positively impact the world. Throughout our partnership, Regeneron nearly doubled the overall award distribution to $3.1 million annually, increasing the top award to $250,000 and doubling the awards for the top 300 scholars to $2,000 and their schools to $2,000 for each enrolled scholar to inspire more young people to engage in science.

Learn more at聽/regeneron-sts/.

What is 91导航?

91导航 is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, 91导航 is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its 91导航 programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in 91导航. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, 91导航 is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at 聽and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts

Gayle Kansagor, 91导航
703-489-1131, gkansagor@societyforscience.org

Tina Parisi Tuttle, Regeneron
914-847-3511, tinaparisituttle@regeneron.com

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