High School Students Will Use ISEF Forms while Middle School Students will use IJAS forms
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NEW RULE EFFECTIVE beginning in 2026-2027
Instructions for ISEF Forms
Because our fair is an ISEF-affiliated fair, all students in grades 9–12 must follow the current ISEF Rules and complete all required ISEF forms. These forms document that the project was properly planned, reviewed, supervised, and approved according to ISEF requirements. Most ISEF forms must be completed and signed before experimentation or data collection begins. Forms should not be completed retroactively. Middle school students DO NOT use ISEF forms. Middle school students should use the IJAS forms and approval procedures provided in this manual.
ISEF Forms Required for ALL High School Students
- Form 1 — Checklist for Adult Sponsor/Safety Assessment — BEFORE experimentation
- Form 1A — Student Checklist and Research Plan — BEFORE experimentation
- Form 1B — Approval Form — BEFORE experimentation
- Form 2A — Student Support Disclosure Form — BEFORE experimentation
- ISEF Abstract — AFTER experimentation
Additional Forms Required for Certain Projects
- Form 2B — Qualified Scientist Form — BEFORE experimentation — see description
- Required when ISEF rules, the IRB, or the SRC determine that a Qualified Scientist is needed.
- Form 2C — Regulated Research Institution Form — AFTER experimentation
- Required when research is conducted at a Regulated Research Institution, such as a university, research laboratory, medical facility, or certain industrial research settings.
- The supervising adult completes the form to document what the student actually did at the institution.
- Form 3 — Risk Assessment Form — BEFORE experimentation
- Required for applicable projects involving hazardous chemicals, hazardous devices, hazardous activities, or other procedures requiring a formal risk assessment.
- It is also required for human participant testing of student-designed inventions, prototypes, or consumer products.
- Form 4 — Human Participants Form — BEFORE experimentation
- Required for all projects involving human participants.
- An IRB (Institutional Review Board) must include an educator or science teacher who is not the student’s sponsor, a school administrator (such as a principal), and a medical or mental health professional (such as a doctor, nurse, or psychologist). Note: To avoid conflicts of interest, the student’s Adult Sponsor, parent or guardian, or Qualified Scientist for the project cannot serve on the IRB reviewing that specific study.
- Students must also provide the IRB with copies of surveys, questionnaires, tests, interview questions, consent forms, IJAS rules and other materials that will be used with participants.
- IRB approval must be obtained before recruitment, interaction with participants, experimentation, or data collection begins.
- Form 5A — Vertebrate Animal Form — BEFORE experimentation
- Used for applicable vertebrate animal research conducted at school, home, or a field site.
- Form 5B — Vertebrate Animal Form — AFTER experimentation
- Used for vertebrate animal research conducted at a Regulated Research Institution.
- Form 6A — Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form — BEFORE experimentation
- Required for applicable projects involving microorganisms, recombinant DNA, biological agents, fresh or frozen tissue, blood, body fluids, or other potentially hazardous biological materials.
- Form 6B — Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form — BEFORE experimentation
- Required for applicable projects involving human or vertebrate animal tissue, blood, body fluids, or related biological materials.
- Form 7 — Continuation Projects Form — AFTER experimentation
- Required when the current project continues or builds upon research conducted by the student in a previous year.
- Students must explain how the current research differs from their previous work.
How Do I Know If I Need a Qualified Scientist?
A Qualified Scientist is NOT required for every project. A Qualified Scientist is an adult with advanced education and/or extensive experience and expertise in an area related to the student’s research. The Qualified Scientist must understand the risks, procedures, and applicable safety requirements for the project. Students should review their proposed research with their Adult Sponsor during the planning stage to determine whether the project requires additional scientific supervision. A Qualified Scientist may be required for higher-risk or specialized research, including:
- BSL-2 potentially hazardous biological agent research;
- projects involving DEA-controlled substances;
- certain vertebrate animal projects; and
- certain human participant projects, depending on the procedures and level of risk, the IRB may determine that a Qualified Scientist is needed before the study can be approved.
When required, the Qualified Scientist:
- reviews the student’s research plan before experimentation begins;
- determines whether appropriate safety precautions are in place;
- makes sure the student has received appropriate training;
- provides appropriate supervision or arranges for a trained Direct Supervisor; and
- completes and signs the required ISEF Qualified Scientist form.
- If unsure whether the project requires a Qualified Scientist, ask the Adult Sponsor before beginning experimentation. Do not begin the project until all required approvals and forms have been completed. Missing or improperly filled out paperwork will result in the project being disqualified by the Head Safety Judge or the IJAS President or their designated representative..
Middle School students will find the IJAS Safety forms on pg 56-62