gym floor full of tables with science projects on each and people browsing and talking amongst them

³Ô¹ÏÍø Science Fair

Registration & Paperwork

Registration for the 2026 ³Ô¹ÏÍø Science Fair will open Jan 6th 2026! Registration Fee is $30 per student. If the fee is a financial hardship, please contact Pete Lovette at pete.lovette@umontana.edu. 

science fair display
Display and Safety Regulations
 students standing in front of their projects
Project Guidelines and Recommendations
 student looking at a project
Judging Criteria

Division I Information – Grades 9-12

  1. Categories - Animal Sciences | Behavioral and Social Sciences | Biochemistry | Cellular and Molecular Biology | Chemistry | Computer Science | Earth and Planetary Science | Energy and Transportation | Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical | Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering | Environmental Management | Environmental Sciences | Mathematical Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Microbiology | Physics and Astronomy | Plant Sciences
  2. Review the to determine what forms and approvals are required for entry into the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Science Fair. Visit the for all rules and guidelines, ISEF FAQs, and ISEF categories
  3. Complete the required . IMPORTANT: Projects involving Humans, Vertebrate Animals, or Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (microorganisms, DNA, or Tissues) require PRIOR approval by an SRC or IRB. Projects that do not meet this requirement will be disqualified. If you have questions about these requirements and/or the required ISEF paperwork, please email Liz Putnam, SRC Chair at elizabeth.putnam@umontana.edu.
  4. Complete the MANDATORY online registration. For team projects, all students must register and indicate that their project is a team project.
  5. For projects involving Humans, Vertebrate Animals, or Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (microorganisms, DNA, or Tissues), submit a scanned copy of the required paperwork to Liz Putnam elizabeth.putnam@umontana.edu with a copy to Lu Hu lu.hu@mso.umt.edu and Pete Lovette pete.lovette@umontana.edu.
  6. Registration Fee is $30 per student.
  7. All students must display the required paperwork with their exhibit.
  8. Please submit all paperwork to Liz Putnam, SRC Chair, elizabeth.putnam@umonana.edu for pre-approval.

Division II Information – Grades 6-8

  1. Categories - Biological | Physical
  2. It is strongly recommended that all students review the with a teacher or mentor before beginning their project. Please Note: projects not involving vertebrate animals, human subjects, hazardous materials/activities, or biological agents do not need to submit ISEF paperwork. 
  3. Division II (grades 6-8) must have a Research Agreement filled out prior to experimentation and is required for all Division II projects. Click Here to view a printable Research Agreement. 
  4. Complete the MANDATORY online registration. For team projects, all students must register and indicate that their project is a team project.
  5. Registration Fee is $30 per student.
  6. All students must display the required paperwork with their exhibit.