The short answer is Regeneron STS is significantly more prestigious, especially right now.
While the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) has historically been a top-tier competition, it is currently facing a major disruption that affects its status for the 2025–2026 school year.
Critical Update: JSHS Suspension (2025–2026)
Important Warning: As of October 1, 2025, the National JSHS program has been suspended until further notice due to issues with federal funding from the Department of Defense.
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What this means: The "National" level of the competition (where the big prestige and money are) is currently cancelled.[1][2]
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Regional exceptions: Some local regions (like Connecticut) are still hosting their own independent state-level symposia, but winners will not advance to a National competition or compete for the large National scholarships this year.[1][2]
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Action item: If you are considering JSHS, you must check your specific regional website immediately to see if they are even holding a local event.
Comparison: Regeneron STS vs. JSHS
If both were running normally, here is how they would compare:
| Feature | Regeneron STS (Science Talent Search) | JSHS (Junior Science & Humanities Symposium) |
| Prestige | #1 in the USA. Often called the "Junior Nobel Prize." It is the most prestigious science competition for high schoolers.[3] | Top Tier. Historically widely respected, but generally considered slightly below STS and ISEF in terms of national fame. |
| Eligibility | Seniors (12th Grade) ONLY. | Grades 9–12. |
| Format | "Research Report" Competition. You submit a paper.[4] You do not need a display board unless you become a finalist. | Symposium Style. You present your work (slides/oral presentation) to a panel of judges, similar to a professional conference. |
| Top Prize | $250,000 | $12,000 (National 1st Place) |
| Focus | Evaluates the student's potential as a future scientist (holistic), not just the research paper. | Evaluates the research quality and your ability to present/defend it orally. |
Which one should you do?
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If you are a Senior (Grade 12): Focus 100% on Regeneron STS. It is the gold standard. Being named one of the "Top 300 Scholars" is a major honor for college admissions, and becoming a "Top 40 Finalist" is a career-defining achievement.
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If you are in Grades 9–11: You are not eligible for STS yet. Normally, JSHS would be a great option, but due to the suspension, you should look at the Regeneron ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair) path instead. You start by winning at your local/regional science fair to qualify for ISEF.
Summary: Regeneron STS is the "Harvard" of high school science competitions. JSHS is excellent, but the current suspension makes it a risky and less rewarding focus for this year.
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