Guide to ISEF Forms

All students are required to have the following forms: 

1. Form 1: Checklist for Adult Sponsor 
2. Form 1A: Student Checklist/Research Plan 
   
3. ​Form 1B: Approval Form  
   

SRC - Scientific Review Committee--typically consists of three members:  

1. A school administrator or STEM career/research person.
2. An educator not associated with the project.
3. Biomedical scientist –Ph.D, M.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., D.O.,or a school Registered Nurse.

IRB - Institutional Review Board--SRC can serve as the IRB if the project is done at a school. If the project is done at a University/College/Research Institute, it must be completed by their IRB. The IRB should include:

1. A school administrator.
2. An educator not associated with the project.
3. One of the following who is knowledgeable and capable of evaluating the physical and/or psychological risk involved in a given study:  medical doctor, physician’s assistant, registered nurse, psychologist, licensed clinical professional counselor, or licensed social worker.

Adult Sponsor Qualifications:--An Adult Sponsor may be a teacher, parent, professor, and/or other professional scientist 

Direct Supervisor (DS) Qualifications:--Does not need an advanced degree • Must be familiar with the student’s project and agree to any training necessary • May also serve as the Adult Sponsor for the project. 

Qualified Scientist (QS) Qualifications:--Earned a doctoral/professional degree in a scientific discipline related to a student’s area of research.  Can also be a science teacher.

Form 1B: box 2a signature from IRB prior to experimentation/prototype testing. 

Form 1C: Regulated Research Institution--when applicable 

Form 2: Qualified Scientist --when applicable 

Form 3: Risk Assessment 

Form 4: Human Participants (Exempt studies are prototype testing done by students only, public data review, and some observational studies.) 

Sample Informed Consent Form 

Form 1B: box 2a signature from SRC prior to experimentation. 

Form 2: Qualified Scientist (Except for observational studies.) 

Form 5A: Vertebrate Animal Form (will need a veterinarian signature) 

Form 1B: box 2a signature from SRC prior to experimentation. 

Form 1C: Regulated Research Institution 

Form 2: Qualified Scientist

Form 5B: Vertebrate Animal Form 

Form 6A: PHBA Risk Assessment--for all studies involving tissues and body fluids. 

Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue --for all studies involving tissues and body fluids.

Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents include:  bacteria, viruses, molds, rDNA, vertebrate tissues & fluids, etc.

Experimentation involving the culturing of potentially hazardous biological agents is prohibited in a home environment. Research determined to be at Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) must be conducted in a BSL-1 or higher laboratory. Research determined to be a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) must be conducted in a laboratory rated BSL-2 or above (commonly limited to a Regulated Research Institution). Students are prohibited from BSL3 or BSL-4 Research. 

Form 1B: box 2a signature from SRC prior to experimentation. 

Form 1C: Regulated Research Institution Form — when applicable 

Form 2: Qualified Scientist--when applicable 

Form 3: Risk Assessment--when applicable 

Form 6A: PHBA Risk Assessment Form--when applicable

Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form — for all studies involving tissues and body fluids. 

There are additional rules for the following regulated areas: 

A. DEA-controlled Substances 

B. Prescription Drugs 

C. Alcohol & Tobacco 

D. Firearms and Explosives 

E. Regulated Drones 

F. Radiation 

Form 1B: box 2a signature from SRC prior to experimentation. 

Form 1C: Regulated Research Institution Form--when applicable 

Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form--when applicable

Form 3: Risk Assessment Form 

A helpful tool in determining what forms you need is Society for Science's Form Wizard: https://ruleswizard.societyforscience.org/ 

Direct Link to all ISEF Forms: https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/forms/

https://www.ohiosci.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2025-ISEF-Rules.pdf