Before students take the stage at the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida (SSEF), they must first qualify at a Regional Science and Engineering Fair (RSEF). These regional fairs are where local innovation shines, and they serve as the official gateway to the state’s premier STEM competition.

If you’re a student, parent, or educator aiming for SSEF, knowing your regional fair—and its timeline—is crucial for planning.

Why Regional Fairs Matter

Regional fairs are more than just qualifiers. They:

• Give students a chance to practice presenting to judges.
• Provide feedback before the state stage.
• Connect students with local STEM mentors, schools, and community partners.
• Celebrate innovation in Florida’s diverse counties and districts.

Think of your regional fair as a launchpad: success here sets the stage for state recognition, scholarships, and even international competition at ISEF.

Florida’s Regional Science and Engineering Fairs (2025–26)

Here’s a reference list of the regional fairs that feed into SSEF. Dates vary by year, but most fall between late January and mid-February. Where 2025–26 dates are already published, we’ve included them.

Regional Fair	Typical Timeframe	Notes
Alachua RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Covers Alachua County schools
Big Springs (Marion & Sumter)	Late Jan–Feb	Includes Marion & Sumter counties
Brevard (Intracoastal, Mainland, South)	Late Jan–Feb	Three fairs serving Brevard districts
Broward	Jan–Feb	Dates published annually by district
Capital (Leon/Wakulla)	Feb 13, 2026	Official 2026 date confirmed
Citrus RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	County-level fair
Clay Rotary Science Fair	Late Jan–Feb	Rotary-supported regional
Collier RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Naples/Collier area
East Panhandle RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Multiple counties in the Panhandle
Heartland RSEF	Early Feb	Serves central counties
Hernando RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	County-level fair
Hillsborough RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Tampa area
Indian River RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Treasure Coast
Lake County RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Lake County
Manatee STEM Competition	Late Jan–Feb	Manatee County
Martin RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Martin County
Monroe RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Keys region
Northeast Florida (NEFRSEF)	Feb 8–11, 2026	Official 2026 dates posted
Osceola RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Osceola County
Palm Beach RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Palm Beach County
Pasco Science & Engineering Showcase	Late Jan	Forms due early Jan
Pinellas RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Clearwater/St. Petersburg
Polk RSEF (PRSEF)	Jan 31, 2026	Confirmed 2026 date
Sarasota RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Sarasota County
Seminole RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Seminole County
South Florida (Miami-Dade STEM Expo)	Jan–Feb	Dates posted annually
St. Johns STEM Fair	Late Jan–Feb	St. Augustine area
St. Lucie RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Treasure Coast
Suwannee Valley RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Multi-county fair
Thomas Alva Edison Fair (Lee County)	Late Jan–Feb	Includes Lee & nearby counties
Tomoka (Volusia/Flagler)	Late Jan–Feb	East-Central Florida
West Panhandle RSEF	Late Jan–Feb	Panhandle region

Tips for Students and Families

• Check early: Each fair has its own registration and form deadlines, often weeks before the event itself.
• Mark your calendar: If your fair falls in late January, you should be finalizing your project before winter break.
• Stay updated: Regional coordinators usually post new dates in the fall semester. Bookmark your fair’s website for the latest details.
• Think long-term: Success at the regional fair isn’t onlyabout qualifying—it’s about practicing your pitch, refining your data, and preparing for the state stage in Lakeland.

Next Steps: From Regionals to State

Once you’ve presented at your RSEF and advanced, the next destination is the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida (SSEF), held each spring in Lakeland. From there, Florida’s very best projects continue on to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

👉 Looking for the bigger picture?
This post is your regional fair guide. For a full breakdown of SSEF categories, judging, project advice, and the path to ISEF, check out our complete guide for Florida SSEF.