NEIRSEF
FORMS
Forms & Resources
Use this page to find the forms, rules, templates, and other documents you may need to prepare for NEIRSEF.
Use the ISEF Rules Wizard to determine which forms and approvals apply to your specific project.
Important: Required forms depend on your grade level and type of research. Do not begin research that requires pre-experimentation approval until all required approvals have been completed.
Grade | Required Basics | Additional Requirements |
4–5 | Junior Division rules | Human-subject forms/IRB when applicable |
6–8 | Junior Division rules, Research Plan, Abstract | Additional forms/review depending on project |
9–12 | Forms 1, 1A & 1B, Research Plan, Abstract | Additional ISEF forms and pre-review depending on project |
Junior Division Rules
Indiana Rules for Elementary and Middle School Science Research – Safety and research requirements for Grades 4–8
Human Subjects
Grade 4–5 projects involving human subjects that are intended to be eligible for advancement to HSEF require school-level IRB review before experimentation begins.
See For Students (Grades 4–5) for an overview of the requirements.
Grades 6–8
Grade 6–8 students generally do not complete the full ISEF paperwork. Additional forms and approvals may be required depending on the research.
Junior Division Rules
Human Subjects
Projects involving human subjects require:
- ISEF Form 4 – Human Participants
- Human Informed Consent Form
- School-level IRB review before experimentation begins
Additional Research
Special requirements apply to projects involving:
- Bacteria or fungi
- Animal behavior
- Other restricted or potentially hazardous research
See For Students (Grades 6–8) for project-specific requirements.
Grades 9–12
All Senior Division projects must complete the required ISEF paperwork.
Required for All Senior Division Projects
- Form 1 – Checklist for Adult Sponsor
- Form 1A – Student Checklist
- Form 1B – Approval Form — required for each student on a team
Additional Forms
Additional forms are required depending on the type of research.
Human Participants
- Form 4 – Human Participants
- Human Informed Consent Form
- Form 2B – Qualified Scientist, when applicable
Vertebrate Animals
- Form 5B – Vertebrate Animal
- Form 2B – Qualified Scientist, when applicable
Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents
- Form 3 – Risk Assessment
- Form 6A – Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents, when applicable
- Form 6B – Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue, when applicable
- Form 2B – Qualified Scientist, when applicable
Potentially Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, or Devices
- Form 3 – Risk Assessment
- Form 2B – Qualified Scientist, when applicable
Miscellaneous
- Form 7 - Continuation
- Form 2C - Regulated Research Institution
- Form 2A - Student Support Disclosure Form
Use the ISEF Rules Wizard to determine which forms and approvals apply to your specific project.
See For Students (Grades 9–12) for an overview of Senior Division requirements.
Research & Project Preparation
Research Plan
A Research Plan is required for Grade 6–12 projects.
It should address:
- Research question
- Hypothesis or Engineering Goal
- Experimental design/method
- Bibliography/References
Abstract
An abstract is required for Grade 6–12 projects.
It should briefly summarize:
- Purpose and hypothesis or engineering goal
- Methods/procedures
- Data and analysis
- Results/conclusions
Logbook & Research Paper
Students in Grades 6–8 should maintain a logbook and prepare a research paper as part of their project.
See the appropriate For Students page for project expectations.
Display & Safety
All projects displayed at NEIRSEF must follow the current Regional Fair display and safety requirements.
- NEIRSEF Display Rules
- ISEF Display & Safety Regulations
- Indiana Junior Division Safety Rules (Grades 4–8)
- ISEF International Rules & Guidelines (Grades 9–12)
Fair personnel will inspect displays for compliance. Items that do not meet the requirements may need to be removed.
SEFI Registration
Student registration and required document submission are completed through the SEFI Registration System.
See Registration for instructions.
Important Reminders
- Check requirements before beginning your research.
- Projects requiring pre-experimentation review must be approved before experimentation begins.
- Use the current year's forms and rules. Do not rely on forms saved from previous years as they may change.
- If you are unsure whether your project requires additional forms or approval, ask your teacher or contact the NEIRSEF Fair Director before beginning your research.