The 2026 Synopsys Championship is March 9-10, 2026.
- Important Dates
- Announcements and Resources
- Planning & Preparation
- Application Instructions
- Notebook Requirements
- Forms for Judging Folders
- Preparing for Fair Days
- What to Expect & Bring on Check-In Day
- What to Expect & Bring on Judging Day
- Post Fair Events
Planning and Preparation
Check your eligibility for the Synopsys Championship and read the Rules and Registration page.
Explore the SCVSEFA web pages listed under Students in the navigation menu. Pages such as Project Display Rules, Writing Abstracts, Discouraged Projects, and the Judging FAQ for Students are just a few of the many resources available and contain a wealth of helpful information.
Read the ISEF Rules and Guidelines before you start your project.
- As an ISEF affiliated fair, the Synopsys Championship follows ISEF Rules and uses ISEF Forms.
- SCVSEFA web pages explain some requirements and forms that are specific to the Synopsys Championship.
Follow links on the Process page about finding a sponsor and choosing a project.
Important: Determine if your project needs SRC pre-approval. Deadlines and requirements are different for projects that DO and DON’T require it.
Notebook Requirements
All participants must document their process and results in a project notebook or logbook, which must be brought on both Check-in Day and Judging Day. This record may be kept either digitally or on paper. Judges will evaluate all projects, but students without a lab notebook on Judging Day are not eligible for awards, even if their project is the best. Please read the below letter from our Category Judging Committee.
Upload Forms to Judging Folder
Upload these forms (and only these forms) to your Judging Folder:
- Project abstract (interactive PDF). Download, complete and save as a PDF. No videos or links to other documents.
- Form 1C: Regulated Research Institutional / Industrial Setting Form. High School students with a professional mentor (RRI projects) must upload Form 1C, which is completed after the research is done (if your project requires it).
- Form 7: Continuation Projects Form (if your project requires it)
Preparing for Fair Days
Review instructions for your trifold project display board:
Project Display Rules and Helpful Hints for Project Display
Parking and Student Drop Off on Day 1
Parking may be tight in the convention center area. There is no free parking at South Hall.
Parking Map at the Fair
Students and their projects may be dropped off at the curb on Viola St. next to the sign STUDENT DROP OFF Monday, March 9, 2026, anytime between 12:30 and 6:30 PM. Come early to avoid crowds. There is no waiting on Viola St. If a parent wants to come into the Exhibit Hall to help a student, they’ll need to find a nearby public parking lot, and meet the student inside.
Parking and Student Pick Up on Day 2
Public viewing (TBD) will be from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, and parents can pick up their students anytime during that timeframe. Some students may be asked to stay until 6:00 PM if judges need more time with their projects, and those students will be notified by 4:30 PM. To help reduce congestion, we ask that parents pick up middle school students between 5:00 and 5:30 PM, and high school students between 5:30 and 6:00 PM.
Pick up is on Viola Street, where there is no parking or waiting. Parents and students should communicate their whereabouts to keep traffic flowing on this narrow street.
Post-Fair Events
The winners list will be posted on the web site 2-3 weeks after the fair.
Why aren’t the results posted immediately?
The Synopsys Championship Awards Ceremonies are scheduled for March 29, 2026 at the Heritage Theatre in Campbell, CA (1 W Campbell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008). Doors open at 12:00pm, Theater opens at 12:30pm. Middle school award ceremony is from 1 – 3pm and high school award ceremony is from 3:30-5:30pm. For more details click here.
