A historic achievement: Talent celebrates the crowning of the 2026 ISEF champions
In a scene of immense pride and joy, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) celebrated the historic achievement of Fair (ISEF) 2026 champions . This grand celebration followed the students' return home, crowned with a new global triumph in the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, from May 9 to 15. The competition saw fierce competition among approximately 1,700 students representing 70 countries from around the world.
A pioneering journey towards the global summit
This success was not a sudden occurrence, but rather the culmination of a long history of investing in human capital. Since its inception, Mawhiba has undertaken the mission of discovering and nurturing gifted individuals, in strategic and integrated partnership with the Ministry of Education. Saudi Arabia's participation in the ISEF exhibition dates back to 2007, when the Kingdom took confident steps to demonstrate the Saudi student's ability to compete internationally. Students undergo an intensive and lengthy preparation journey that begins with the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa," and includes a series of training camps, qualification programs, and judging sessions led by a select group of academics and experts. This ensures they reach the podium fully prepared and confident to represent their nation at the world's largest scientific event.
An exceptional harvest for the heroes of ISEF 2026
This year's edition witnessed an exceptional participation from the Saudi team, comprising 40 students. Twenty-three participated in person in Phoenix, while 17 participated remotely from Riyadh, in addition to two middle school students serving as observers to prepare them for the future. These efforts resulted in the 2026 ISEF champions 24 prestigious international awards, divided into 12 Grand Awards and 12 Special Awards. Perhaps the most notable achievement was securing first place globally in the field of Computational Biology and Informatics. With this remarkable success, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia maintained its leading position, ranking second globally after the United States for the third consecutive year.
Dimensions of the achievement and its impact on the scientific landscape
The significance of this achievement transcends mere medals and certificates; it represents a qualitative leap in the transformation towards a knowledge-based economy, a key objective of Saudi Vision 2030. Domestically, this excellence inspires thousands of students in Saudi schools to pursue innovation and scientific research, fostering a healthy competitive environment that enhances the quality of educational outcomes. Regionally, the Kingdom solidifies its position as a capital of science and innovation in the Middle East, setting a benchmark for nurturing talent. Internationally, these innovative student projects contribute to finding real solutions to global challenges in specialized fields, demonstrating the competence of Saudi minds and their ability to make a positive impact that benefits all of humanity.
Well-deserved recognition for our partners in success
At the conclusion of the ceremony, which was attended by the Secretary-General of the Mawhiba Foundation, Dr. Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazza (or her representative from the Foundation's leadership, such as Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Kridis), two short documentaries were screened, recounting the team's journey and success, including the stages of preparation and competition. The event also included inspiring speeches and the honoring of the team members, delegation members, and several partners in this achievement, in recognition of their pivotal roles in supporting this national accomplishment, which reflects the unwavering support of the wise leadership for the education and innovation sector.
