ISEF offers 22 categories. Many projects could easily fit into more than one ISEF category. Selection of categories should be solely based on what best fits your project. We highly recommend that you review the entire listing of the categories and subcategories before choosing the category that most accurately describes your project.  At ISEF, you don’t need to compete in the same category as in your national, regional, state, or local competition. Furthermore, most regional and state competitions do not use subcategories. You should carefully consider which subcategory best describes your project because your judges will be assigned based on their expertise in your chosen subcategory. If the project could be in multiple subcategories (or categories), it is best to select the primary subcategory of your project rather than “Other.”

Ask yourself the following questions to help in the selection of a category:

• Who will be the most qualified to judge my project? What area of expertise is the most important for the judge to have? Will a doctor, an engineer, or a computer scientist best understand my project?

• What is the emphasis of my project? What did I study, make, or do during my project?

1. Choose a research topic and formulate a hypothesis

• Identify a research area: Begin by exploring subjects you’re passionate about, whether it's biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, or a niche area. Consider the scope of current research, societal impact, and resources available.

• Literature review: Conduct a thorough literature review using resources like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or your school's academic databases. This will help you identify gaps in existing research and refine your topic.

• Formulate a hypothesis: Develop a clear, testable hypothesis. Your hypothesis should address a specific question or problem that hasn’t been fully explored in the literature you’ve reviewed.

2. Develop a research plan

• Design the experiment or study: Outline the methodology for your research. Decide whether you’ll conduct experiments, surveys, simulations, or data analysis. Ensure your methods are sound, reproducible, and ethical.

• Create a timeline: Set a realistic timeline for completing your research, including time for data collection, analysis, and writing. Break down the project into manageable milestones.

• Seek mentorship: Find a mentor who has expertise in your chosen field. This could be a teacher, a professor at a local college, or a professional scientist. Your mentor can provide valuable guidance, resources, and feedback.

3. Conduct the research

• Collect data: Follow your research plan meticulously. Keep detailed records of all your procedures, observations, and results. Use lab notebooks, digital records, or data management software to stay organized.

• Analyze the data: Use appropriate statistical tools and software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R) to analyze your data. Look for patterns, correlations, or significant results that support or refute your hypothesis.

• Iterate if necessary: If your initial results are inconclusive or you encounter issues, refine your methods and continue experimenting.

4. Write the research paper

• Title: Craft a concise, informative title that reflects your research focus.

• Abstract: Summarize your research question, methods, results, and conclusion in 150-250 words.

• Introduction: Provide background information, a literature review, and clearly state your hypothesis.

• Methods: Describe your experimental design, materials, and procedures in detail.

• Results: Present your findings with supporting data, charts, graphs, and tables.

• Discussion: Interpret your results, discuss their implications, and relate them to existing research.

• Conclusion: Summarize your findings, address the research question, and suggest future research directions.

• References: Cite all sources used in your literature review and throughout your paper.

Each journal has specific formatting and submission guidelines. Make sure your paper adheres to these, including citation style, figure formatting, and word limits.

5. Choose the right journal for submission

• Identify suitable journals: Research journals that accept high school research submissions. Consider factors like the journal’s scope, audience, impact factor, and acceptance rate.

  • Examples: The Journal of Emerging Investigators, The Concord Review, The National High School Journal of Science.

• Check submission criteria: Ensure your research meets the journal’s requirements, such as word count, subject matter, and level of originality.

6. Submit your research paper

• Prepare your manuscript: Double-check your paper for any errors, ensure all figures and tables are correctly formatted, and that the manuscript meets the journal’s submission requirements.

• Write a cover letter: Address the editor, introduce yourself, summarize your research, and explain why it’s a good fit for their journal. Highlight any unique aspects of your study.

• Submit electronically: Most journals require online submissions through their submission portals. Follow the instructions carefully, and upload all required documents (manuscript, cover letter, supplementary materials).

• Pay submission fees: Some journals may have submission or publication fees. Be prepared to cover these costs or seek support from your school or mentor.

7. Respond to peer reviews

• Initial review: After submission, your paper will be reviewed by the journal’s editorial team. If it passes this stage, it will be sent for peer review.

• Receive feedback: Peer reviewers will provide comments, suggestions, and may request revisions. This is a critical step where you must address their concerns and refine your paper.

• Revise and resubmit: Make the necessary revisions and resubmit your paper along with a detailed response to the reviewers’ comments. Be clear and respectful in addressing each point.

8. Publication

• Acceptance: Once your paper is accepted, it will go through final editing and formatting before publication. You may be asked to approve proofs before it goes to press.

• Promotion: Share your published research with your school, community, and online platforms like LinkedIn or ResearchGate. Consider presenting your research at science fairs, conferences, or seminars.

• Follow-up research: Use your publication as a stepping stone for further research. Consider expanding on your study, collaborating with others, or exploring related topics.

9. Participate in science competitions

• Science fairs: Enter your research into local, state, or national science fairs like Regeneron ISEF or Google Science Fair. Winning these competitions can further enhance your academic and professional prospects.

• Research competitions: Participate in competitions that focus on research, such as the Siemens Competition or the Davidson Fellows Scholarship. These provide both recognition and financial rewards for outstanding research.

10. Build your research portfolio

• Compile your work: Create a portfolio that includes your published papers, presentations, competition entries, and any awards or recognitions. This will be invaluable for college applications, internships, and future research opportunities.

• Network with professionals: Use your published research to connect with professionals in your field. Attend conferences, join academic societies, and engage with the scientific community to expand your network.

Vary based on competitiveness and fees, but the most prominent for high school students are the Journal of Emerging Investigators and the Journal and Science Research High school edition.