The Saudi national team has completed its preparations to represent the Kingdom at ISEF 2026
The Saudi national science and engineering team has completed all final preparations for its upcoming participation in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026), which is scheduled to take place in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, from May 9 to 15. This participation is the culmination of concerted efforts by educational institutions in the Kingdom to support young talent.
The Saudi national team's journey towards shining in ISEF 2026
This year's Saudi team comprises 42 students, representing some of the Kingdom's brightest young minds. Twenty-three students will be physically present in Phoenix to present their projects, while 17 will compete remotely from Riyadh. Two additional students will be attending as observers. The students completed their final training sessions at the team's accommodations, which included intensive presentation and public speaking training to deliver their research projects to the international judging panels. They also finalized and approved their scientific displays within the exhibition halls, adhering to the strict organizational and technical procedures required before the official start of the judging process.
A history full of achievements at the International Science and Engineering Fair
The International Science Olympiad (ISEF) is considered the world's equivalent of the Science Olympiad, and it is the largest international platform for pre-university research and innovation projects. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has participated in this prestigious scientific event annually since 2007. Throughout its distinguished history, Saudi talent has demonstrated its high level of competence, with the Kingdom achieving a total of 185 awards in its previous participations, divided into 124 major awards and 61 special awards. Perhaps the most notable achievement was in the last edition when the Kingdom ranked second globally in terms of the number of major awards, trailing only the United States, reflecting the development of the quality of educational and research outputs.
The strategic impact of Saudi participation locally and internationally
The significance of participating in this event extends beyond simply winning awards; it encompasses profound strategic dimensions that align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. Domestically, these achievements inspire hundreds of thousands of Saudi students to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Regionally, the Kingdom solidifies its position as a leading nation in nurturing talent and supporting scientific research in the Middle East. Internationally, the presence of Saudi students alongside a select group of international scientists and experts enhances the Kingdom's soft power and highlights the competitive capabilities of its youth in developing scientific solutions to contemporary global challenges.
From the Creativity Olympics to the global platform
The students' advancement to this stage was no accident; it came after fierce and widespread competition within the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, "Ibdaa 2026." The initial stages witnessed the participation of over 357,000 male and female students from across the Kingdom, who presented more than 34,000 scientific projects in 22 diverse fields. The qualifying students underwent a series of rigorous evaluations, including regional and central exhibitions, culminating in the "Ibdaa Science and Engineering Fair." This journey concluded with an intensive training camp held at the "Mishkat" Interactive Center, ensuring the refinement of their skills and equipping them to the highest standards to represent their country in this prestigious global event.
