- Application Fees Updated
- SRC/IRB Pre-Approval Deadline
- FINAL Deadline for ALL applications
- Food Science/Engineering Field of Study REMOVED
- Frequent Rule Violation
- ISEF’s Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
- ISEF’s Forms (RRI 1C & Form 4)
- ISEF’s Designated Supervisor now called Direct Supervisor
Application Fees Updated
The application fee is $40 for individual projects and $50 for team projects.
- Fees are waived for Title One schools. The teacher gives the voucher code to qualified students.
- Some fees are batched and paid via a single check by the school. If you fall into this category then ask your teacher for the Voucher Code. In the spring, we provide a list of total projects/fees to the teacher/school.
- Students/families who are in need of financial assistance may request a fee waiver by contacting the Fair Manager. In this case, please submit a letter signed by the parent or teacher.
SRC/IRB Pre-Approval Deadline
All projects that need SRC/IRB pre-approval MUST submit their application before Nov 13, 2024, which is 1 week earlier than last year.
FINAL Deadline for ALL Applications
Applications for the 2025 Synopsys Championship MUST be submitted by Jan 10, 2025, which is more than 1 week earlier than last year.
Field of Study for Food Science/Engineering removed
The SCVSEFA Board and Category Judging Committee have decided to discontinue Food Science and Engineering as a Field of Study in 2025. Introduced in 2024 for middle schools, this field received few project submissions and did not significantly contribute to the fair. Additionally, recruiting judges with expertise in this area has been challenging. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Frequent Rule Violation
Students who are developing an app or have an engineering project that builds a device that needs to be tested may do so only if they follow all the rules for human participants. This includes reporting health (mental, physical and environmental) issues. These projects need pre-approval by the SRC.
Highlights of Important changes to the ISEF 2024-2025 International Rules for Pre-Collegiate Research
More ISEF changes will be posted soon. Please check back periodically. [2024-07-26]
Details at ISEF website.
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS BIOLOGICAL AGENTS (PHBA) RULES
• In Rules for All Studies, Rule 10 modified to prohibit the use of prions or prion-like proteins
All studies involving the use of prions or prion-like proteins are prohibited.
FORMS
Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form (1C)
The form is back to a single page and ISEF adjusted the initial questions to facilitate complete responses.
Human Participants Form (4)
A must that your IRB does not have a Conflict of Interest.
Designated Supervisor
Designated Supervisor now referred to as Direct Supervisor.
