Society for Science and the Public

What Society for Science and the Public does

Society for Science and the Public is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1921 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, STEM education, and the identification of future scientific talent. Its core offerings center on three flagship international science competitions: the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation's oldest and most prestigious high school senior research competition (founded 1942, celebrating its 85th year in 2026); the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world's largest pre-college science competition drawing roughly 1,700-1,725 finalists annually from 70+ countries competing for approximately $9 million in prizes; and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge for U.S. middle school students. The organization also publishes Science News and Science News Explores, two award-winning science journalism brands operating continuously since 1921 and 2003 respectively, and operates a STEM outreach portfolio that includes the Advocate Program, STEM Research Grants (cumulatively $885,000 to 407 teachers across all 50 states), STEM Action Grants, Research Teachers Conferences, and Science News Learning.

The Society's technology stack is operationally focused rather than product-centric: it runs web-based competition management portals (sciencetalentsearch.smapply.org, isef.net, findafair.societyforscience.org), digital-first publications, and the ISEF Virtual Fair, supported by 51-100 staff. Distribution flows through a network of nearly 400 affiliated science fairs in all 50 U.S. states and 70+ countries, which serve as the exclusive on-ramp for high school and middle school competitors.

The business model is sponsorship- and philanthropy-driven rather than transactional. Regeneron provides title sponsorship for STS and ISEF at a cumulative commitment exceeding $300 million from 2017-2036 (with the STS portion extended by an additional $150 million in 2026); Thermo Fisher Scientific holds title rights to the Junior Innovators Challenge through 2030. Ancillary revenue streams include Science News subscriptions and memberships (starting at $75/year), individual and institutional donations, grants, and Special Award Organization partnerships with 50+ professional bodies such as the American Chemical Society, IEEE, ACM, and APA. Customer segments span high school seniors, high school students globally, middle school students, educators, higher education institutions, and Science News readers, with no equity ownership or parent company structure in place.

Name

Society for Science and the Public

Legal name

Society for Science and the Public

Website

https://societyforscience.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Society for Science and the Public is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded in 1921 that runs the world's largest pre-college science competitions (Regeneron STS and ISEF), the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge, and publishes Science News, serving students, educators, and readers across 70+ countries through title-sponsor and philanthropic funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education and STEM Competitions

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science, Technology & Gaming Magazines (MPAJAEAL), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• Science competitions
• Science journalism
• Nonprofit science organization
• STEM research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships and Title Partnerships: Regeneron sponsors both Science Talent Search and ISEF with multi-hundred million dollar commitments (over $300 million from 2017-2036 combined). Thermo Fisher Scientific sponsors the Junior Innovators Challenge. These sponsorships cover prize money, operational costs, and provide branding exposure.
2. Science News Subscriptions and Memberships: Science News magazine subscriptions provide revenue. Memberships start at $75/year with subscription benefits. Gift subscriptions available.
3. STEM Grants Funded by Donors: The Society distributes grants (STEM Research Grants, STEM Action Grants, Advocate Program stipends) funded by Regeneron, anonymous donors, and other philanthropists. Total $885,000 distributed to 407 teachers to date.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Society receives donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. Donations support programs, journalism, and grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Society for Science is a nonprofit organization that operates the world's largest pre-college science competitions (Regeneron STS, Regeneron ISEF, Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge) and publishes award-winning science journalism through Science News and Science News Explores. The organization also delivers STEM outreach programs including educator grants, the Advocate Program, Research Teachers Conferences, and Science News Learning to expand scientific literacy and nurture young scientific talent.

Product overview

Society for Science operates a portfolio of science education programs centered around three major STEM competitions: the Regeneron Science Talent Search (the nation's oldest science competition for high school seniors since 1942), the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (the world's largest pre-college science competition with students from 75+ countries competing for ~$9 million in prizes), and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (a premier competition for middle school students). The organization also publishes Science News and Science News Explores for science journalism, and delivers STEM outreach programs including Research Grants, the Advocate Program, STEM Action Grants, Research Teachers Conferences, and Science News Learning—all designed to expand scientific literacy and create STEM opportunities for students nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Science News: Award-winning science journalism publication providing accurate, independent science news since 1921.
• Science News Explores

Products and services

• Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) The nation's oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors (grades 11-12), recognizing and empowering promising young scientists developing ideas to solve society's urgent challenges. Nearly 2,000 applicants annually compete for over $3 million in awards, with 40 finalists receiving scholarships and a trip to Washington D.C.
• Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) The world's largest pre-college science competition where high school students from more than 75 countries compete across 22 STEM disciplines, awarding approximately $9 million in prizes and scholarships annually to 1,700+ finalists.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge The premier STEM competition for U.S. middle school students in grades 6-8 (previously known as the Broadcom MASTERS), featuring top 10% nominees from affiliated science fairs competing for over $100,000 in scholarships and prizes annually.
• Science News An award-winning science publication offering concise, current, and lively overview of the latest research in all science and technology fields, published since 1921. Subscribers receive Science News magazine (print/digital) and newsletters; memberships start at $75/year.
• Science News Explores An award-winning publication providing age-appropriate, topical science news to learners, parents, and educators.
• STEM Research Grants Grants providing classroom-ready research kits and specialized equipment (up to $5,000 in specialized equipment or $1,000 in preselected kits such as Arduino, soil test kits, PocketLab sensors) to middle and high school teachers for hands-on science education, with priority given to schools in rural districts and underserved communities.
• Advocate Program A year-long professional development program supporting teachers and mentors who increase the number of students from underrepresented racial, ethnic groups and low-income households entering STEM research competitions. Advocates receive a $3,000 stipend plus an all-expense-paid trip to attend the Advocate Training Institute in Washington, D.C.
• STEM Action Grants Small grants of up to $5,000 awarded to innovative nonprofit organizations led by social entrepreneurs to enhance public understanding of science and increase underrepresented population participation in STEM.
• Research Teachers Conferences Conferences for middle and high school research teachers (including Middle School Research Teachers Conference and High School Research Teachers Conference) to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and learn about Society for Science programs and STEM competitions.
• Science News Learning Program providing schools access to ScienceNews.org with professional development workshops and digital lesson plans for integrating science articles into classroom curricula.
• ISEF Virtual Fair A virtual showcase platform (isef.net) allowing access to exhibits from ISEF finalists representing nearly 70 countries, regions, and territories.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,700 finalists from 67+ countries competed for $7 million in awards at ISEF 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Special Award Organizations at ISEF 2026coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Over 50 professional organizations affiliate with ISEF as Special Award Organizations (SAOs) including American Chemical Society, IEEE, ACM, APA, National Geographic Society, and others. SAOs recruit judges and present named awards in their respective fields.
• ISEF STEM College & Career Fair ExhibitorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2026Colleges and universities exhibit at ISEF to recruit top international STEM talent. Exhibitors include MIT, Caltech, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Imperial College London, and 70+ other institutions.
• National GeographicmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2024National Geographic produced 'Science Fair: The Series,' a three-part documentary following students on their journey to Regeneron ISEF 2022. The docuseries premiered in 2023 on Disney+/Hulu.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Museum of Natural History: AMNH operates museum-based science education programs, youth research initiatives (e.g., Science Research Mentoring Program), and teacher professional development — comparable in mission to Society for Science's STEM outreach and competition programs.
• Smithsonian Institution: The Smithsonian operates national science museums and extensive STEM/public-engagement programs — a broader institution but directly comparable to Society for Science in its nonprofit mission to advance science literacy and public STEM engagement.
• Discovery Education: Discovery Education provides STEM curriculum and digital content at scale to U.S. schools — comparable to Society for Science's Science News Learning and STEM Research Grants in delivering classroom STEM content and supporting underserved districts.
• National Geographic Society: National Geographic Society is a 501(c)(3) focused on exploration, science journalism, and education — directly comparable as a nonprofit that combines award-winning science storytelling with STEM education programs and extensive educator outreach.
• PBS (WGBH / NOVA): PBS produces science programming (e.g., NOVA) and STEM classroom content serving broad public audiences — directly comparable to Science News and Science News Explores as publicly trusted, educationally oriented science journalism and learning resources.

Direct peers

• AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science): AAAS publishes Science magazine and Science for All and operates science-advocacy programs — directly comparable to Society for Science as a science-journalism-plus-advocacy nonprofit that also runs programs to broaden STEM participation.
• MATHCOUNTS: MATHCOUNTS runs national middle-school math competitions through affiliated chapter and state networks — same affiliated-fair/governance playbook as Society for Science's competitions serving the same grade bands.
• Science Olympiad: Science Olympiad is a national STEM competition organization running team-based science tournaments for K-12 students — directly comparable to ISEF and STS in target audience, competition-based learning model, and nonprofit structure.
• FIRST (FIRST Inspires / FIRST Robotics Competition): FIRST runs the world's leading K-12 STEM robotics competitions, mirroring Society for Science's role as a national/international pre-college STEM competition organizer serving similar student segments and sponsor-funded formats.
• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA): NSTA is the leading national nonprofit supporting K-12 STEM educators through publications, conferences, and resources — overlapping directly with Society for Science's Research Teachers Conferences and Science News Learning programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/society4science
• YouTubeyoutube.com/societyforscience
• Facebookfacebook.com/societyforscience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/society-for-science-&-the-public
• Instagraminstagram.com/society4science

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Society for Science and the Public