ISEF App

Free digital workbooks for science fair and ISEF forms

Which ISEF Forms Do I Need? Checklist and Forms Wizard Guide

Quick answer: Nearly every ISEF-affiliated science fair project needs Form 1, Form 1A, and Form 1B. Extra forms depend on humans, animals, hazards, biological agents, research location, and whether the project is a continuation. Use this checklist first, then confirm with the official Rules Wizard and your fair.

Want the app to narrow forms as you answer questions? Start a free ISEF App workbook.

The forms almost everyone needs

  • Form 1 — Checklist for Adult Sponsor / Safety Assessment
  • Form 1A — Student Checklist / Research Plan (+ detailed research plan)
  • Form 1B — Approval Form (student, parent/guardian, and review signatures as required)

Deep dive: ISEF Form 1, 1A, and 1B explained.

Decision guide: which additional forms might you need?

If your project involves people (surveys, interviews, taste tests, wearable sensors, etc.)

  • Likely Form 4 (Human Participants)
  • Informed consent / assent documents as required
  • IRB review path (your school/fair IRB or designated review)

If you use vertebrate animals

  • Form 5A (school/home/field) or Form 5B (regulated research institution)
  • SRC rules are strict — plan review before any animal work

If you work with potentially hazardous biological agents, mold, microbes, or tissues

  • Form 6A and/or Form 6B as applicable
  • Often paired with risk documentation and qualified oversight

If there are chemicals, hazardous equipment, or other risks

  • Form 3 (Risk Assessment) is commonly required
  • Your adult sponsor’s Form 1 checklist is the map

If research is done at a university, hospital, or company lab

  • Often Form 1C (regulated research / industrial setting)
  • Possibly Form 2 (Qualified Scientist)
  • Institutional paperwork may be required in addition to ISEF forms

If this builds on a prior year’s project

  • Form 7 (Continuation/Research Progression)
  • Be clear what is new this year vs. previous work

A simple “forms wizard” workflow

  1. Draft your research plan in plain language.
  2. Complete Form 1A with that plan attached.
  3. Have your adult sponsor complete Form 1 — this flags extra forms.
  4. Cross-check with the official Society for Science Rules Wizard.
  5. Add only the extra forms Form 1 / the wizard indicate.
  6. Collect signatures, especially any required before experimentation.

Official form downloads: societyforscience.org/isef/forms.

Students, parents, teachers: who owns which piece?

  • Student — research plan, Form 1A, project answers, requesting signatures
  • Parent/guardian — Form 1B consent/approval; sometimes consent for human-participant studies
  • Adult sponsor (often teacher) — Form 1 safety checklist and ongoing oversight
  • SRC/IRB — required reviews for regulated areas and fair compliance

Why families use ISEF App instead of only PDFs

PDFs are official and necessary. The hard part is knowing which ones, in what order, and who must sign. ISEF App is a free digital workbook that guides those steps, collects online approvals, and generates downloadable forms.

It is not the official Regeneron ISEF event site or Rules Wizard — it is paperwork help for schools, families, and fairs that use ISEF-style forms.

Create free account · How to fill out ISEF forms · All guides

FAQ

Is the Rules Wizard enough by itself?

It is an excellent first step. Still review results with your adult sponsor — edge cases happen, and local fairs may add requirements.

Do elementary or middle school projects need ISEF forms?

It depends on the fair. Many junior divisions use simplified rules; senior / ISEF-affiliated paths usually use the full form set. Follow your fair’s instructions.

Can teammates share one set of forms?

Projects often share research documentation, but each team member typically needs their own Form 1B. In ISEF App, teammates can share one workbook and still complete individual approvals.