More than One Million High School Students Compete in Science Fairs Each Year
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world's only international science fair representing all life sciences for students. Every year, more than one million students in grades
9-12 compete in regional science fairs and nearly 500 Intel ISEF-affiliated fairs held around the world. More than 1,200 students from 40+ countries win the chance to compete for more than US$3 million in scholarships and prizes at the Intel ISEF in 14 scientific categories and a team project category.

The Fair has been administered for more than 50 years by Science Service, one of the most respected nonprofit organizations advancing the cause of science. Since 1996 as the title sponsor, Intel Corporation has committed millions of dollars (U.S.) to developing and promoting this competition. In addition, each year a volunteer committee representing the host city raises funds to sponsor events throughout the fair.

Intel's Sponsorship
Intel became the first title sponsor of the ISEF in 1996 as a way to recognize and reward excellence in science from the world's best young scientists, and to encourage more young people to explore science and technology in their higher education and career.

Since assuming the sponsorship, Intel has focused on increasing international participation and adding new awards such as the Intel Foundation Young Scientists Scholarships, Achievement Awards, Best Use of a PC, Best of Category, and awards to teachers and fair directors.

Awards and Scholarships

More than 900 individual student and team awards are presented. Each of the top three finalists receives the Intel Young Scientist Scholarship of US$50,000, a trip to the Nobel Ceremonies in Stockholm, Sweden, and a high-performance computer. Grand awards are given for the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place projects in each category. Cash awards are US$3,000, US$1,500, US$1,000 and US$500, respectively. The Intel Best of Category award of a US$5,000 scholarship and a high-performance computer goes to the top-scoring student in each category. Additional student awards worth more than US$1.5 million include scholarships, summer internships, scientific field trips, and laboratory equipment provided by Intel and Science Service, as well as nearly 70 other corporate, professional, and government sponsors.

Schools and affiliated fairs of the finalists who win the Intel Best of Category award receive US$1,000 each to benefit science and math education and encourage more student involvement in science. The school award is targeted to support the school's science and math education programs. The fair award is to be used to support the regional fair administration and encourage more student participation in the Intel ISEF-affiliated fair in its region.