Saudi Arabia wins 12 special awards at ISEF 2026
In a new national achievement added to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's record of scientific accomplishments, the Saudi Science and Engineering Team has captured global attention by winning 12 special awards at the 2026 ISEF Awards, as announced by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba). This outstanding performance reflects the unwavering support provided by the wise leadership to the education and scientific research sector, and highlights the ability of young Saudi minds to compete in the most prestigious international forums dedicated to innovation.
Details of the winners in the 2026 ISEF Special Awards
The awards ceremony witnessed a remarkable performance from Saudi students, with Noor Faisal Al-Atwi, Jana Al-Dossari, Lana Abu Talib, Shaima Al-Katani, and Al-Jawhara Bin Zaraa winning special awards from Saudi Aramco. Similarly, Fatima Al-Muqrin, Lin Al-Nabulsi, Jana Harsani, and Mazen Mohammed received special awards from the Mawhiba Foundation. The excellence didn't stop there, as Lana Al-Aqqad and Lana Abu Talib each won special awards from the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). Furthermore, Tamim Ibrahim Khan, from the Royal Commission Education Department in Jubail, made a distinguished appearance, winning a special award from Missouri University of Science and Technology for his innovative project in microbiology.
A journey filled with excellence: Saudi Arabia at the International Science and Engineering Fair
The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world’s largest pre-college science competition, bringing together thousands of creative minds from around the globe to showcase their research and innovations. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Mawhiba Foundation and the Ministry of Education, has participated in this prestigious fair annually since 2007. The Saudi team for this year’s competition comprised 42 students, 23 of whom participated in person in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, while 17 competed remotely from Riyadh, the capital, in addition to two observers. This participation builds upon a distinguished history of Saudi achievements, as the Kingdom has garnered 185 awards in previous years, including 124 major awards and 61 special awards. In the last edition, Saudi Arabia achieved second place globally in the number of major awards, after the United States.
The strategic impact of Saudi innovation locally and internationally
The crowning of the nation's sons and daughters with these prestigious awards transcends individual success, becoming a cornerstone in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. Domestically, these achievements inspire future generations of students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), building a solid national base of researchers and scientists. Regionally, the Kingdom reaffirms its leadership as a hub for talent and a champion of scientific research in the Middle East. Internationally, this strong presence enhances Saudi Arabia's soft power, highlighting its role as an active partner in providing innovative scientific solutions to global challenges, thus opening up vast opportunities for academic and research collaboration with leading international institutions and universities.
