The North Carolina Science & Engineering Fair (NCSEF) is the state’s premier student science competition, engaging learners from grades 3 through 12 in original research. Sponsored by the North Carolina Science Fair Foundation, NCSEF is also the official state affiliate of the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF).

NCSEF’s mission is simple but powerful: to promote inquiry-based learning and innovation by giving young scientists a platform to showcase their projects. Students form teams (up to three members) or work individually, develop a research project in science, engineering, or math, and then present their findings at competitive fairs. Along the way, they gain skills in research, organization, communication, and creative problem-solving.

A Brief History of NCSEF

Science fairs in North Carolina have been running for decades, but in 2009 the North Carolina Science Fair Foundation was established as a nonprofit to formally organize and expand the program. By then, the fair had already been operating for over twenty years, and it became an official ISEF affiliate in 2004.

Since then, NCSEF has grown into a statewide network of regional and state-level competitions. Today, students from every corner of the state—from the mountains to the coast—have the chance to showcase their research and potentially advance to international competitions.

How Students Participate

NCSEF follows a tiered structure:

1. Students typically begin with a local school or district science fair.
2. Winners from these events move on to one of the official Regional Science & Engineering Fairs across the state.
3. Top projects from each regional fair advance to the state-level NCSEF, usually held in March at NC State University in Raleigh.

The regional fairs are essential—they act as the qualifiers for the state competition.

Regional Science Fairs in North Carolina

North Carolina is divided into 10 regional fair areas. Each serves a set of counties and typically holds its fair in January or February. Winners from these fairs advance to NCSEF.

Region	Name	Counties Covered
Region 1	Northeast Regional Science Fair	Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Lenoir, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, Washington
Region 2	Southeast Regional Science Fair	Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Sampson, Wayne
Region 3A	Central Regional Science Fair	Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wilson
Region 3B	NC School of Science & Mathematics Fair	Students attending NC School of Science and Mathematics from across North Carolina
Region 4	South Central Regional Science Fair	Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland
Region 5	North Central Regional Science Fair	Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin
Region 6	Southwest & Charlotte-Mecklenburg	Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union
Region 7	Northwest Regional Science Fair	Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, McDowell, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey
Region 8	Western Regional Science Fair	Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania
Region 9	Virtual Fair	Open to students across North Carolina who may not be able to attend an in-person regional fair

Eligibility and Categories

NCSEF is open to students in grades 3 through 12. Projects are judged within three divisions:

• Elementary Division: Grades 3–5
• Junior Division: Grades 6–8
• Senior Division: Grades 9–12

Project categories include life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, technology, mathematics, environmental science, and more. Senior Division winners are eligible for selection to advance to ISEF.

Path to ISEF

NCSEF is the official North Carolina affiliate of the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). This means that the most outstanding Senior Division projects at NCSEF qualify to represent North Carolina on a global stage, competing with top young scientists from more than 70 countries.

For Junior Division students, NCSEF also provides pathways to other national competitions, such as the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge.

Benefits of Competing in NCSEF

Participating in NCSEF offers far more than the chance to win medals:

• Skill Development: Students learn how to plan and execute long-term projects, analyze data, and present findings.
• Confidence & Communication: Presenting to judges and peers strengthens public speaking skills.
• Creativity & Problem-Solving: Students develop their own research questions and learn persistence by overcoming challenges.
• College & Career Readiness: Science fair projects demonstrate initiative, intellectual curiosity, and leadership—qualities valued by top universities and employers.
• Networking & Recognition: Students connect with mentors, educators, and STEM professionals. Some even earn scholarships or special awards.

Fast Forward

The North Carolina Science & Engineering Fair is more than a competition—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of innovators. By participating, students gain invaluable experience that prepares them for college, careers, and beyond.

For students with a passion for science, technology, or engineering, NCSEF is the perfect place to start. If you’re a student or parent looking for personalized support with science fair projects, applications, or competition preparation, our team at Future Forward is here to help.

👉 Reach out to us today to learn how we can guide you through every step — from building a standout project to excelling at regional and state-level STEM competitions.