The Saudi national science and engineering team has arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at one of the largest and most prestigious international scientific events, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026). This global event, taking place from May 9-15, will see more than 1,700 students from approximately 70 countries competing to present innovative solutions to global challenges.
Historical background and legacy of achievements
The Kingdom's participation in ISEF is a long-standing tradition reflecting its strategic commitment to building a generation of innovators and scientists. Since 2007, the Kingdom has participated annually with an elite team, sponsored by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) and in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Over the years, Saudi participation has not only been honorary but has also been marked by significant achievements that have placed the Kingdom on the global innovation map. To date, Saudi talents have garnered 185 awards, including 124 major awards and 61 special awards. In the most recent edition of the exhibition, the Kingdom achieved a historic milestone by ranking second globally in the number of major awards, after the United States, underscoring the quality of the projects and the depth of knowledge possessed by Saudi students.
The importance of the ISEF exhibition and its global impact
The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world’s largest pre-university science competition, a kind of “Science Olympiad” that brings together the brightest young minds. Its significance lies not only in the monetary prizes and scholarships it offers, but also in providing students with the opportunity to present their research to a panel of judges comprised of Nobel laureates and other world-renowned scientists and experts. Winning at ISEF opens up vast horizons for students, setting them on the path to becoming future leaders of thought and innovation, and further enhancing the Kingdom’s international reputation as a leading center for supporting science and technology.
Talent Selection Journey: From Local to Global
The Saudi team participating in ISEF 2026 comprises an elite group of 42 students, selected after a long and rigorous competitive journey within the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa 2026." This journey began with the participation of more than 357,000 students from across the Kingdom, who submitted over 34,000 scientific projects in 22 research fields. These projects underwent six stages of meticulous judging, encompassing 16 regional exhibitions and four central exhibitions, to ensure the selection of the most distinguished and original projects. This significant surge in participation led Mawhiba to achieve a Guinness World Record for "Ibdaa 2026" as the largest competition for innovative solutions globally, reflecting the Kingdom's advanced position in supporting innovation and developing human capital in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
