Project Document Specifications
(Main Category)

There are two project documents.

Project Report describes the actual laboratory, field or theoretical research (not library research) for the project. It should involve ideas generated by the student. These ideas may include analysis of data generated by the student.

It should include: 

(a) Background and purpose of the research,
(b) Hypothesis,
(c) Experimental Methods and Results,
(d) Conclusion including a discussion of the results and implications, and
(e) Bibliography / References. 

The report should not exceed seven pages (excluding the cover page), inclusive of data in tables, figures and diagrams. References and appendices do not count towards the seven-page limit. Any part of a report that exceeds the seven-page limit will be disregarded during judging.

Reports do not need to include an "Acknowledgement" section, although it is necessary to attribute and acknowledge all sources (i.e. citations). Credit must be given to the appropriate source and references. If generative artificial intelligence was used to write the report (beyond basic spelling and grammar checks), there should be a statement on how it was used.

Project Abstract is a concise summary of the report. As a guideline, it should be about 250 words (approximately 1800 characters) or less.

Formatting and Information to be included in Project Report and Abstract

Students are advised to format their project documents (abstract and report) using 12-point Times New Roman font (or equivalent) with a line spacing of 1.5 lines. The documents should be submitted as a PDF document.

The following is to be included on the upper right-hand corner of each page:

• Project Code (e.g. AS001) Note: The project code is generated during the registration process on the SSEF Portal.

• Project Title

• Names of students 

Please click here for the suggested Project Report template for Main Category projects. 

Please click here for the suggested Project Abstract template for Main Category projects. 

Information that cannot be included in Project Report and Abstract (Main Category)

To ensure fairness in judging, project documents (abstract or report) for Main Category projects should not contain information about the school, research institutes or external companies or sponsors that the project is affiliated to. This is to minimise any unnecessary influence or bias in the judging process. This also applies to all images.

To be excluded from all project documents:

• Name/crest of school, or anything that may suggest the identity of the school (e.g. distinctive school uniform or school mascots);

• Name of student research or mentorship programme that the project is part of;

• Names/logos of research institute or institute of higher learning that the project is affiliated to (e.g. as part of a mentorship programme), especially if datasets used in the project are exclusively owned by that institute.*

• Names of teachers and/or research mentors

• Names/logos of products or companies that are presented in a way that may be understood as an endorsement of/by the product or company

*Note: Open source datasets (which are publicly available) can be cited in full without masking, in line with general research principles, as it does not indicate any affiliation.

Submission of Project Report and Abstract

The project abstract and report should be submitted via the SSEF Portal. 

Applicants are strongly advised to complete and submit the documents as early as possible, and avoid the period of server congestion just before the deadline. Late submissions will not be entertained.