Regeneron Doubles Down on Science's Future with $150M Investment

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. AND WASHINGTON – February 26, 2026 – Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced today it will extend its title sponsorship of the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) for a second decade, committing an additional $150 million to the nation’s oldest and most prestigious high school science competition. The move secures the program’s future through 2036 and deepens the biotechnology firm’s partnership with the Society for Science, which has administered the competition for 85 years.

The renewed pledge brings Regeneron's total investment in the Science Talent Search to $250 million over a 20-year period. When combined with its sponsorship of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest pre-college science competition, the company's total commitment to nurturing young scientific minds will exceed $300 million by 2036. This landmark investment underscores a profound belief in the power of foundational science education to drive future innovation and national progress.

A Legacy of Discovery and Personal Connection

First established in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, the competition has long been a crucial launchpad for America’s brightest young scientists. Now in its 85th year, its alumni roster reads like a who's who of scientific achievement, including Nobel laureates, Fields Medalists, and recipients of the National Medal of Science. For Regeneron, the commitment is deeply personal. Both of the company's co-founders are distinguished alumni of the program.

“My own scientific journey can be traced back to my experience with the Science Talent Search, which profoundly shaped who I am today,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-Founder, co-Chairman, President, and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron, and a 1976 STS Winner. “Participating in and becoming a winner of STS gave me the confidence to dedicate my life to science and the pursuit of inventing medicines that improve people’s lives.”

His partner, Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D., co-Founder, co-Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, is a 1970 STS alumnus. Their shared history with the competition infuses the corporate sponsorship with a unique authenticity and a clear understanding of its transformative potential. “This renewed, long-term investment...reflects our confidence in the extraordinary potential of young scientists and our responsibility to help cultivate the curiosity, rigor, and leadership that will shape the future of scientific discovery,” Schleifer stated.

The stability provided by such a long-term sponsor is critical in a landscape where other major competitions have faltered. The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, once a premier rival, concluded its 18-year run in 2017, highlighting the vulnerability of such programs without sustained corporate backing. Regeneron’s decade-long extension ensures that this vital pipeline for American talent remains robust and vibrant.

Quantifying a Decade of Impact

Since taking the sponsorship reins from Intel in 2017, Regeneron’s involvement has coincided with a period of significant growth and achievement for the Science Talent Search. The number of students entering the competition has surged by 49%, a testament to the program's expanding reach and appeal. During this time, Regeneron and the Society for Science have engaged over 20,000 top young scientists, recognized 3,000 as Regeneron scholars, and awarded more than $31 million in prizes.

The caliber of the student research is consistently breathtaking, tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges. Recent winners exemplify the program’s impact. In 2024, first-place winner Achyuta Rajaram of Exeter, New Hampshire, was awarded $250,000 for developing a machine learning model that improves the automatic discovery of visual circuits. The 2023 top prize went to Neel Moudgal from Saline, Michigan, for creating a computer model that predicts RNA molecule structures, a breakthrough with potential applications in diagnosing and treating diseases.

Other recent finalists have presented original research on topics ranging from optimizing computational mathematics and analyzing cancer metabolism to using AI to study media bias and developing algorithms to diagnose Kawasaki disease from smartphone photos. These projects are not mere classroom exercises; they represent cutting-edge inquiry that often pushes the boundaries of their respective fields, providing a powerful glimpse into the future of science and technology.

“In its 85th year, the Science Talent Search inspires and elevates the nation’s top high school students passionate about tackling the world’s most intractable problems,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO at Society for Science and a 1985 STS Alumna. “With Regeneron’s unwavering support, we will continue to empower the extraordinary – the rising stars and the legends in the making – who will define the future of science, innovation, and discovery.”

A Strategic Investment in National Innovation

Regeneron's commitment is more than simple philanthropy; it is a strategic investment in the nation's future, a model of how corporate resources can be deployed to address critical societal needs. The sponsorship is the cornerstone of the company’s STEM-Fueled™ initiative, a broad portfolio of programs through which it directs over 90% of its community investments.

This private-sector support arrives at a crucial moment. While the federal government invested approximately $7.3 billion in STEM education in fiscal year 2023, significant gaps remain. Public school systems, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas, often struggle with staffing shortages of qualified STEM teachers and lack access to the materials and infrastructure needed for high-quality science education. Inconsistent and non-centralized funding can leave many students without access to advanced STEM courses.

Large-scale, long-term corporate commitments like Regeneron's provide the stability and resources necessary to bridge these gaps. By funding programs that directly engage students, train educators, and celebrate scientific achievement, the company helps build a more resilient and comprehensive STEM ecosystem. This investment not only cultivates a future workforce for industries like biotechnology but also strengthens the country's overall capacity for innovation, a key driver of economic competitiveness and national security.

Opening Doors to Discovery for All

A key focus of the renewed partnership is to broaden the reach of these elite opportunities. The funding will continue to support the Society for Science's STEM Outreach Programs, which are dedicated to democratizing access to science research. These initiatives work to provide high-quality educator training and reach young people across every state, including both urban and rural areas, with a specific focus on engaging students regardless of their socioeconomic status, gender, or racial background.

This emphasis on inclusivity is vital. Ensuring that the next generation of scientists and engineers reflects the diversity of the nation is not just a matter of equity; it is essential for fostering a wider range of perspectives and ideas needed to solve complex global problems.

Through partnerships with organizations like BioBus, which brings mobile science labs to communities historically excluded from the scientific world, Regeneron has already helped provide hands-on science experiences to over 300,000 students since 2010. Other initiatives, like the STEM Teaching Fellowship for New York educators and a four-year science research program with Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), demonstrate a multi-faceted approach to building a more inclusive STEM pipeline from the ground up.

The additional $150 million commitment will amplify these efforts, ensuring that the opportunity to participate in world-class science is not a privilege of the few, but an accessible pathway for any bright, motivated student with a passion for discovery. By investing in both the pinnacle of student achievement and the grassroots efforts to broaden participation, Regeneron is placing a powerful bet on the untapped potential of all of America's youth.