ISEF Research Forms are documents that are required for students who want to participate in the

International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is a prestigious science competition for pre-
college students. The forms are designed to ensure that the students follow the ISEF rules and guidelines, as
well as the laws and regulations that apply to their research projects. The forms also provide written
documentation of what the students plan to do, or have done, in their research projects.

Form 1: Checklist for Adult Sponsor/Safety Assessment Form

- This form is required for all projects and should be filled out before any research takes place. The adult
sponsor should fill up this form to review the project plan and ensure that it follows the ISEF rules and safety
guidelines.

Form 1A: Student Checklist/Research Plan

- This form is required for all projects and should be filled out before any research takes place. The student
should fill up this form to outline the project details, such as the title, question, hypothesis, methods, risks, etc.

Form 1B: Approval Form

- This form is required for all projects and should be filled out before any research takes place. The student,
parent/guardian, and SRC (Scientific Review Committee) should sign this form to approve or consent to the
project. Projects that involve human participants, vertebrate animals, or potentially hazardous biological agents
must be preapproved by the SRC before experimentation.

Form 1C: Regulated Research Institutional/Industrial Setting Form

- This form is required for projects that are conducted in a regulated research institution, industrial setting, or
any work site other than home, school or field. This form should be filled out after the experimentation by the
student and the qualified scientist or designated supervisor who supervised the project at the research site.
This form documents what the student did at the research site and what role the mentors played in the project.

Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form

- This form is required for projects that involve human participants, vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous
biological agents, DEA-controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, firearms or explosives. This form should be
filled out before the experimentation by the qualified scientist who has expertise in the area of research and
will directly supervise the student's project. This form documents that the qualified scientist has reviewed and
approved the project plan and will ensure that it follows the ISEF rules and safety guidelines.

Form 3: Risk Assessment Form

- This form is required for projects that use hazardous chemicals, activities or devices; involve human
participants; or have more than minimal risk to vertebrate animals. This form should be filled out before the
experimentation by the student in collaboration with the designated supervisor or qualified scientist. This form
identifies and evaluates the potential risks and hazards of the project and describes how they will be minimized
or eliminated.
Form 4: Human Participants Form
- This form is required for projects that involve human participants. This form should be filled out before the
experimentation by the student and the IRB (Institutional Review Board) that reviews and approves the
project. The IRB must include a school administrator, a science teacher, and one of the following: a
psychologist, psychiatrist, medical doctor, licensed social worker or licensed clinical professional counselor.
This form documents that the project follows the ethical principles and federal regulations for human research
and that informed consent has been obtained from all participants or their legally authorized representatives.

Form 5A: Vertebrate Animal Form

- This form is required for projects that involve vertebrate animals (live nonhuman mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians or fish) that are conducted at school, home or at a field site. This form should be filled out before
the experimentation by the student in collaboration with a veterinarian or an animal care professional who will
provide guidance on animal care and handling. This form documents that the project follows the ISEF rules and
federal regulations for animal research and that animal welfare has been ensured.

Form 5B: Vertebrate Animal Form

- This form is required for projects that involve vertebrate animals (live nonhuman mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians or fish) that are conducted at a regulated research institution (such as a university, hospital or
laboratory). This form should be filled out after the experimentation by both the student and a qualified
scientist who supervised or trained the student at the research site. This form documents what the student did at
the research site and what role the mentors played in the project. It also documents that the project follows the
ISEF rules and federal regulations for animal research and that animal welfare has been ensured.

Form 6A: Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form

- This form is required for projects that involve microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions,
rickettsia, etc.), recombinant DNA (rDNA) technologies, or human or animal fresh/frozen tissues, blood, or
body fluids. This form should be filled out before the experimentation by the student in collaboration with a
designated supervisor or qualified scientist who will provide guidance on biosafety and biosecurity. This form
documents that the project follows the ISEF rules and federal regulations for biological research and that
biosafety and biosecurity have been ensured.

Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form

- This form is required for projects that involve fresh/frozen tissue (including primary cell lines, human and
other primate established cell lines and tissue cultures), blood, blood products, or body fluids. This form should
be filled out before the experimentation by the student in collaboration with a designated supervisor or
qualified scientist who will provide guidance on biosafety and biosecurity. This form documents the source of
the tissue, the risk assessment, and the disposal method of the tissue. It also documents that informed consent
has been obtained from the donor or the donor's legally authorized representative, if applicable.
Form 7: Continuation/Research Progression Projects Form
- This form is required for projects that are a continuation or progression of previous research done by the same
student. This form should be filled out after the experimentation by the student. This form documents how the
current year project differs from and builds on previous years' projects. It also requires a summary of previous
years' abstracts and final reports.

Source:
ISEF Forms – Society for Science. https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/forms/.
Overview of Forms and Dates – Society for Science. https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/overview-of-forms-
and-dates/.
This completed form is required for ALL projects. - .NET Framework.
https://sspcdn.blob.core.windows.net/files/Documents/SEP/ISEF/2022/Forms/1-Checklist-for-Adult-
Sponsor.pdf
International rules for pre-college science research – Society for Science.
https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/international-rules/.