In a heartwarming celebration of youthful brilliance and scientific curiosity, the Society for Science has announced 300 outstanding scholars for the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, marking the 85th year of this prestigious competition that has launched countless scientific careers.

The numbers tell an inspiring story: over 2,600 talented students from 826 high schools across 46 states, Washington D.C., and 16 countries worldwide submitted their original research this year. From this impressive pool, 300 exceptional young scientists emerged, representing 203 schools spanning 34 states, Washington D.C., and China. Each scholar will receive $2,000, and their schools will also be awarded $2,000 for each enrolled scholar—a wonderful investment in the future of scientific education.

What makes these young researchers truly special is the breadth and depth of their curiosity. Their projects span 20 different scientific categories, from Animal Sciences to Space Science, with particularly strong representation in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Medicine and Health, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Computer Science, and Engineering. These aren't simple school projects—they're rigorous research endeavors that resemble graduate-level work, demonstrating creativity, determination, and a genuine desire to make the world better.

"Their research highlights the creativity, rigor and determination that's pushing forward the future of scientific discovery," said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society for Science. Her enthusiasm is contagious and well-founded—these young minds are already contributing meaningful solutions to some of our world's biggest challenges.

Christina Chan, Senior Vice President at Regeneron, expressed similar excitement: "We are inspired by this year's scholars for their remarkable projects and drive to use the power of STEM to improve the world around them." Regeneron's decade-long, $100 million commitment to the competition demonstrates a powerful belief in nurturing young scientific talent.

The journey continues for these scholars, with 40 finalists to be announced on January 21st. Those finalists will gather in Washington for Finals Week from March 5-11, where they'll present their research at a public exhibition and compete for top honors at the awards ceremony on March 10th.

The legacy of the Science Talent Search speaks volumes about its impact. For over eight decades, this competition has identified future Nobel Prize winners, Fields Medal recipients, and MacArthur Fellows. Today's scholars join that remarkable lineage, representing not just academic excellence but hope for solving tomorrow's challenges through scientific innovation.

In a world that sometimes feels overwhelmed by problems, these 300 young scientists remind us that brilliant minds are hard at work developing solutions. They're not waiting for the future—they're creating it, one research project at a time. Their dedication to rigorous scientific inquiry and their commitment to using STEM for positive change is truly something to celebrate.