California State Science Fair
Application Checklist and Calendar 2017

• First, submit the application found on this site by your Submission Deadline.
• Second, qualified projects must send, usually via US Mail, the following items postmarked by your Application Fee Deadline:
  • The Signature Card (also found on the inside back cover of the Application Packet), and
  • The Application Fee of $30. This must be a check or money order made payable to "California Science Center Foundation." Major credit cards are also accepted.
  • The Human Subjects/ Tissue Samples/ Humane Treatment Certification, if your project used human subjects/ vertebrate animals, etc.
  • 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.

• CSSF Student of the Year Application (for seniors only)
• CSSF Teacher of the Year Nomination (if desired)
• ISEF Forms (for Senior Division participants wishing to be eligible for selection to ISEF)

Team Projects Note: Every member of a team project must complete his or her own application and (for qualified projects only) include a separate application fee payment. However, only the first 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.

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 8

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 State Science 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 9

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 CSSF, 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 12

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 19. The Directors of Judging are the final authority as to project acceptance and category assignments. Details will be included in your confirmation letter.