Explanation of ISEF Forms

Forms Title Purpose

1 Checklist for Adult Sponsors This completed form is required for ALL projects and must be
completed before experimentation. The adult sponsor is the person
overseeing the student and the project.
1A Student Checklist This form is required for ALL projects. It will provide basic
information about the student. There is also a paper on completing
the research plan for the project.
Research Plan A complete research plan is required, and should be attached to
Form 1A (above).

Your research plan should include the following:

1. Question or Problem being addressed

2. Hypothesis/Engineering Goals

3. Description in detail of method or procedures (The following are

important and key items that should be included when formulating
ANY AND ALL research plans.)

Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be

used for data collection

Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the
data that answer research question or hypothesis

4. Bibliography: List at least five (5) major references (e.g. science

journal articles, books, internet sites) from your literature review. If
you plan to use vertebrate animals, one of these references must be
an animal care reference.

Note: Choose only one style to consistently cite the literature that
you referenced.
Abstract Please submit a typed hard copy of your abstract (250 words
maximum); this is in addition to the abstract submitted on the
online registration. Please include this abstract in your notebook, as
well.
1B Approval Form This completed form is required for ALL projects for each student,
including all team members.
1C Regulated Research This form must be completed after experimentation by
Institution/Industrial Setting the adult supervising the student research conducted in a
regulated research institution, industrial setting or any work site
other than home, school or field. (Regulated research institutions
include universities, medical centers, industrial settings, NIH, etc.)
2 Qualified Scientist Form May be required for research involving human subjects,
Vertebrate animals, potentially hazardous biological agents, and
DEA-controlled substances. Must be completed before the start of
student experimentation.
This form gives information about the Qualified Scientist who will
supervise the student and the project.
3 Risk Assessment Form Required for ALL projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or
devices. Must be completed before student experimentation.
4 Human Subjects Form Required for ALL research involving human subjects.
IRB approval is required before experimentation.
Sample of Informed Consent Form This form is used to provide information to the research subject (or
parent/guardian) and to document written
informed consent, minor assent and/or parental permission.
5A and Vertebrate Animal Form (5A and 5A - Required for ALL research involving vertebrate animals that
5B 5B) is conducted in a Non-Regulated Research Site. (SRC approval
required before experimentation.) Form 5A is for research
conducted in a Non-Regulated Research Site.

5B - Required for ALL research involving vertebrate animals that

is conducted at a Regulated Research Institution. (IACUC
approval required before experimentation).
6A Potentially Hazardous Biological Required for ALL research involving microorganisms,
Agents Risk Assessment Form rDNA, fresh/frozen tissue, blood and body fluids.
SRC/IACUC/IBC approval required before experimentation.
6B Human and Vertebrate Animal Required for ALL projects using fresh/frozen tissue, primary cell
Tissue Form cultures, blood, blood products and body fluids. If the research
involves living organisms, please ensure that the proper human or
animal forms are completed.
All projects using any tissue listed above, must also
complete Form 6A.
7 Continuation Projects Form Required for projects that are a continuation in the same field of
study as a previous project. This form must be
accompanied by the previous year’s abstract, Form
(1A) and Research Plan.
All ISEF Forms This file contains all forms available by ISEF for an individual
science project. Make sure you used the ISEF
Rules Wizard above to determine what forms are necessary for your
project.
ISEF Forms This link takes you to the ISEF website where you can
also download the same forms from above "All ISEF
Forms" link.