All participants who want to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) must be selected by their local Intel ISEF-affiliated fair. Each affiliated fair is permitted to send two individual project finalists and one team project to compete in the Intel ISEF.

For Malaysia, the two Intel ISEF affiliated fair are the National Competition for Innovation in Science and Engineering (“Pertandingan Inovasi Sains dan Kejuruteraan Kebangsaan”) organized by School Division, Ministry of Education, and MRSM National Scientist Talent Competition ("Pertandingan Tunas Saintis MRSM Peringkat Kebangsaan") organized by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), an agency under the Minister of Enterpreneur Development, for schools under its administration.

Students must compete and be selected in these two affiliated fairs before they are being considered to represent Malaysia to compete in the Intel ISEF in the United States.

Students must also check with their school principals or teachers and State Education Department for further information on how to participate.