California Science & Engineering Fair
Application Checklist and Calendar 2018

To complete your Application to the 2018 Fair:

• First, submit the application found on this site by your Submission Deadline.
• Second, qualified projects must send, usually via US Mail, the following items:
  • A completed Signature Card.
  • The Application Fee. See the form for details.
  • If your project used human subjects/ vertebrate animals, etc. then you must include the Safety Certification Form.
  • If your project was done in a professional research environment, you must send a copy of a your completed Professional Research Opportunity Support form as described in Display Regulation #8 to complete your application. Although the above form is preferred, ISEF Form 1C is an acceptable substitute.

If you choose, you can also submit (together with, or separate from, the above items):

• Science Fair Student of the Year Application (for seniors only)
• Science Fair Teacher of the Year Nomination (if desired)

Team Projects Note:

• Each member of a team project must complete his/her own application.
• Each member must submit his/her own Application Fee.
• Only the earliest member of the team is required to submit the Project Summary and Certification form (if applicable), as these concern the common work of the team. Only the Project Summary submitted by the earliest member will be used.

Receipt Confirmation: As Received

When you complete the Application on the Fair’s Web site, you will receive an e-mail confirming its receipt within a few minutes. This email will include your confirmation code and instructions to complete the application process. Confirmation of receipt of all Applications will appear on the Fair’s Web site within one working day.

PARC Review / Category Assignment: Saturday, April 7

Every Application is reviewed for acceptability according to the Acceptance Criteria by the Project Abstract Review Committee (PARC), an experienced group of judges at the California Science & Engineering Fair. In addition, this committee will read every project's abstract in order to determine the correct subject category to which the project will be assigned.

Notice of Acceptance or Rejection: Sunday, April 8

All applicants identified through the PARC review as candidates for rejection will be contacted by phone by the Directors of Judging no later than the above date to provide an opportunity for appeal. For all other rejections (alternates, late applications, etc.) notice will be made only through e-mail. If a functional e-mail address has not been provided to CSEF, no direct notice will be given. The official notice of acceptance will be the listing of names on the Fair’s Web site no later than this date. Notices of acceptance will be e-mailed shortly thereafter, and sent via US Mail within a week.

Confirmation of Category Assignment: Wednesday, April 11

All category assignments will be posted to the Fair's Web site as soon as they are available. Phone requests for this information will not be accepted. On or about the above date you will receive confirmation of the category to which your project has been assigned. You may request a different assignment, but only until Wednesday, April 18. The Directors of Judging are the final authority as to project acceptance and category assignments. Details will be included in your confirmation letter.