Regeneron Science Talent Search Celebrates 85 Years of Nurturing Young Scientific Talent

The prestigious high school competition has launched the careers of Nobel laureates, MacArthur fellows, and other scientific luminaries.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), the United States' oldest and most prestigious high school science competition, is celebrating its 85th anniversary. Founded in 1942, STS has identified generations of the country's brightest STEM minds, with esteemed finalists later earning 13 Nobel Prizes, 22 MacArthur genius grants, eight Breakthrough Prizes, and two Fields Medals. Regeneron, the science-driven biotechnology company, has renewed its support for STS for another 10 years, bringing its total commitment to $250 million over 20 years.

Why it matters

The STS experience teaches young scientists the life lessons of research: curiosity, persistence, and the understanding that no one succeeds alone. By investing in students while they're in high school, Regeneron and Society for Science help form a way of thinking that can guide a lifetime in science, bolstering the future of American innovation.

The details

STS finalists routinely present complex work that is remarkably advanced for their age. Past winners have investigated neuron repair, built models to predict crop yields, and uncovered previously unknown cosmic objects using machine learning. The application process is famously rigorous, and for many students, the hardest challenge is believing they belong in the room. But the STS experience dissolves that imposter syndrome, teaching students that achievement isn't about being magically gifted, but about showing up, doing the work, and pushing through doubt.

  • STS was founded in 1942.
  • This year marks the 85th anniversary of the competition.

The players

Regeneron

A science-driven biotechnology company that has renewed its support for STS for another 10 years, bringing its total commitment to $250 million over 20 years.

Society for Science

A nonprofit organization that has been expanding scientific literacy among young people for more than a century through competitions, journalism, and outreach programs. It partners with Regeneron to run the STS.

Indrani Das

A 2017 STS winner who investigated neuron repair for patients with brain injuries and is currently an M.D.-Ph.D. student at Case Western Reserve University, where she's studying cancer immunotherapy.

Lillian Kay Petersen

The 2020 first-place STS winner who built a model to predict crop yields across Africa and is currently a Ph.D. student at Stanford University.

Matteo Paz

The 2025 first-place STS winner who uncovered 1.5 million previously unknown cosmic objects using a machine-learning algorithm trained on NASA data.

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What they’re saying

“My own scientific journey can be traced back to my experience with the Science Talent Search, which profoundly shaped who I am today.”

— George D. Yancopoulos, co-Founder, co-Chairman, President, and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron (theatlantic.com)

“Science competitions like STS help students actually see themselves as scientists and give them the confidence to pursue those paths.”

— Lillian Kay Petersen, 2020 STS winner (theatlantic.com)

“The biggest value of STS is the community.”

— Lillian Kay Petersen, 2020 STS winner (theatlantic.com)

What’s next

Regeneron and Society for Science will continue to invest in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, providing support and resources to nurture the next generation of scientific leaders.

The takeaway

The Regeneron Science Talent Search has a long history of identifying and empowering the brightest young minds in STEM, with its alumni going on to make groundbreaking contributions to science and innovation. By renewing its commitment to the competition, Regeneron is ensuring that this pipeline of scientific talent will continue to shape the future of American research and discovery.