Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026 Recognizes America’s Top Young Scientists, Awarding More Than $1.8 Million to High School Seniors for Innovative Research in Computational Mathematics, Neural Science, and Blood Cancer Treatment

Core Insights - The 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search awarded Connor Hill a top prize of $250,000 for his innovative research on identifying "noble polyhedra" [1][5] - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has committed to extending its sponsorship of the Science Talent Search for another decade, pledging an additional $150 million, bringing total investment to over $300 million from 2017 to 2036 [4][11] Company Commitment - Regeneron has been the title sponsor of the Science Talent Search for 10 years and is dedicated to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders through significant financial support [5][11] - The company emphasizes the importance of identifying and nurturing young talent in STEM fields, reflecting its founders' personal experiences as past participants [11][15] Competition Overview - The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors in the U.S., with over 2,600 students submitting original research this year [8][10] - The competition evaluates finalists based on scientific rigor, originality, critical thinking, leadership potential, and commitment to impactful STEM research [3][5] Awards and Recognition - A total of $3.1 million in awards was distributed, with 40 finalists recognized for their groundbreaking research [5][9] - Notable winners included Edward Kang, who developed an AI tool for autism screening, and Iris Shen, who tested a potential cancer drug in clams [5][9] Historical Context - This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Science Talent Search, highlighting its long-standing tradition of promoting scientific excellence among high school students [5][10]