- What is the SRC? What is the IRB?
- Do I need SRC approval BEFORE I can begin my project? What are the SRC guidelines and rules?
- Are there special rules for Software Engineering projects developing models or apps to diagnose a human condition or disease?
- Are there special rules for Model Rockets?
- Are there special requirements for Drones?
- Which additional forms are required for projects?
- Where can I get the additional forms required for SRC/IRB projects?
- How will I know when my project has been approved?
- What if I need to make a significant change in my project after I have received SRC approval to begin?
- Why are we so strict about the forms and SRC approval?
- I plan to use a laser in my experiment. Do I need pre-approval?
- When was the field of study for Behavioral Science removed?
What is the SRC? What is the IRB?
The acronym SRC stands for Scientific Review Committee AND also refers to the project review process. The SRC is composed of at least three people: a biomedical scientist, a physical scientist, and a science teacher. The acronym IRB stands for Institutional Review Board and it is a subcommittee of the SRC specifically tasked with review of projects involving humans. An IRB is composed of at least three people: a science teacher, a school administrator and a psychologist, doctor (M.D.) or nurse (R.N.). The minimum role of these committees is specified by The Society for Science (SfS) which is the governing body for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) but regional science fairs may have additional requirements. SfS requires that those signing off on application paperwork do not have a conflict of interest.
The SRC and IRB review project applications to ensure that they meet all requirements before being accepted for competition in the fair. These requirements include safety, legal, ethical, and minimum quality issues. The SRC MAY provide feedback thereby giving students an opportunity to modify their project application to meet requirements but students should make every effort to ensure that their initial submission is compliant. Some projects may require SRC/IRB pre-approval BEFORE experimentation can begin. The SRC/IRB also reviews completed project displays and paperwork during check-in at the Fair for compliance with the rules. Thus you may ask if a project “requires SRC approval” or if it has “met SRC requirements.” Projects that do not meet SRC requirements will not be approved for the fair and SRC decisions are final.
Do I need SRC approval BEFORE I can begin my project? What are the SRC guidelines and rules?
Here is a diagram to help determine if a project needs SRC pre-approval. SRC pre-approval will be required for most projects involving human participants (even just to test a student invention, app or concept), vertebrate animals, chemicals, biological materials, living organisms, and potentially hazardous biological agents. The ISEF Rules Wizard can help you determine which forms to complete. Please see the Additional Forms page for more information on required forms.
The Santa Clara County Science Fair also requires pre-approval for ALL projects with chemicals as well as projects with Hazardous Agents, Activities or Devices. These projects require that you submit a Form 3 with your application.
Note: Any project that involves a physical or mental health condition that is not conducted under the direction of a qualified medically certified supervisor may not claim to diagnose or treat a medical or mental health condition. Apps or models designed for this purpose may not be tested by volunteers or family members or made publicly available. Projects, models and apps may claim to have the “POTENTIAL” for therapeutic effectiveness or clinical diagnostics only.
Are there special rules for Software Engineering projects developing models or apps to diagnose a human condition or disease?
ISEF has tightened the rules regarding the development of diagnostic apps or computer models. Because these inventions are governed by the FDA, these must be tested at an RRI under the supervision of a medical professional. If a student tests the app or model on his/her parents or other students, they will fail to qualify for competition at ISEF starting in 2023. Projects involving the development of a model or app need a flow chart, must use publicly available and de-identified databases and have a good bibliography.
Are there special rules for Model Rockets?
Yes. Rockets are considered hazardous devices, and require SRC pre-approval and a Form 3 Risk Assessment for project use. Students must abide by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Model Rocket Safety Code, review California State Fire Code Title 19 as it relates to rockets, and submit the Model Rocket Launch Certificate (with the Student section filled in) with the project application. After the rocket launch, the fully completed certificate must be uploaded to the project folder by the abstract deadline. Rocket launches may only be made under the supervision of a Livermore Unit National Association of Rocketry (LUNAR) representative who must be specified as the Direct Supervisor in the project application.
Are there special requirements for Drones?
Yes. Drone projects require a Form 3 Risk Assessment and SRC pre-approval. Physical drones are considered hazardous devices that could cause harm to people, animals/wildlife, and property. Drones whose intended flights will be subject to FAA regulations must show legally required pilot training, licensing and drone registration (or intent to obtain required documents before initial drone launch). Refer to the SRC Checklist for Drone Projects when preparing the project application.
Which additional forms are required for projects?
The ISEF Rules Wizard can help you determine which additional forms to complete.
| Form 1C | Regulated Research Institutional / Industrial Setting | To be completed by the Supervising Adult AFTER an RRI project is complete. |
| Form (2) | Qualified Scientist | Required for any project involving humans, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents (BSL2 level projects) and controlled substances. Submit for SRC pre-approval BEFORE experimentation begins. |
| Form (3) | Risk Assessment | Required for projects using chemicals, hazardous activities or devices, drones or exempt micro-organisms. Submit for SRC pre-approval BEFORE experimentation begins. |
| Form (4) | Human Participants | Required for projects involving human participants including those testing apps or engineering projects. Note that a Sample Informed Consent form will be required. Submit for SRC/IRB pre-approval BEFORE experimentation begins. |
| Form (5B) | Vertebrate Animal (For research at a Regulated Research Institution) | Only RRI projects may experiment with vertebrate animals therefore 5b and an IACUC approval document from the institution must be submitted for SRC pre-approval BEFORE experimentation begins. |
| Form (6A) | Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Risk Assessment | Required for projects involving microorganisms, rDNA, tissue, blood, or body fluids; submit for SRC pre-approval BEFORE experimentation begins. |
| Form (6B) | Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue | Required for projects involving tissue, blood, primary cell lines, or body fluids; submit for SRC pre-approval BEFORE experimentation begins. |
| Form (7) | Continuation/Research Progression Projects | Required for all students who submitted either individual or team projects in the previous year as well as students who submitted in earlier years in the same project field of study. MUST be submitted for SRC pre-approval. |
Where can I get the additional forms required for SRC/IRB projects?
The ISEF forms are linked above and on the page for Additional Forms.
How will I know when my project has been approved?
Check the Project Status link on this web site. Select your school and teacher and then look up your name. If your project needs SRC pre-approval you may begin experimentation only after your project status is listed as Project Approved.
What if I need to make a change in my project after I have received SRC approval to begin?
STOP!! Contact the Scientific Review Committee and explain what you need to change. Do not proceed with your project until you have received further approval from the SRC. Approval is usually given in less than 24 hours.
Why are we so strict about the forms and SRC approval?
- Student safety
- Compliance with federal and state laws
- Compliance with the ISEF rules. Adherence to the ISEF Rules allows selected winners from the Synopsys Championship to compete in: the International Science & Engineering Fair (grades 9–12), the California Science & Engineering Fair (Grades 6-12) and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (formerly Broadcom MASTERS) (Grades 6–8)
- Avoidance of legal/litigation issues
I plan to use a laser in my experiment. Do I need pre-approval?
Yes, all projects that use lasers, of any power, require SRC pre-approval. No lasers are permitted in the judging area at the fair.
When was the Field of Study for Behavioral Science removed?
In 2020 the SCVSEFA Board decided to remove Behavioral Science as a field of study (projects that looked at the effects of various things on human participants). Students who develop an app or have an engineering project that build a device that needs to be tested may still do so if they follow the rules for human participants. These projects need SRC pre-approval.
