By Dr. Harman Brah, MD · Judge, California Science & Engineering Fair
Your project needs pre-approval if it involves human participants, vertebrate animals or certain biological agents such as many microorganisms. The approval has to come before you start the experiment, and data collected without it cannot be entered.
This is the rule that knocks the most good projects out of science fairs, and it is completely avoidable.
What IRB and SRC mean
An IRB (Institutional Review Board) reviews projects with human participants. An SRC (Scientific Review Committee) reviews projects with vertebrate animals, hazardous materials and certain biological agents. Science fairs that follow ISEF rules use both.
Projects that need approval, even when they seem harmless
- a survey of classmates, even an anonymous one
- a reaction-time, memory or taste test given to volunteers
- testing an app, device or game on people
- most projects growing bacteria, mold or other microorganisms
- anything involving vertebrate animals, including pets
If a person does anything as part of your experiment, assume you need IRB review and ask.
The deadline comes months before the fair
This is the part families miss. In Santa Clara County, the Synopsys Championship has an early SRC/IRB due date of November 2, 2026 and a final pre-approval deadline of November 13, 2026, while its application deadline for new participants is January 8, 2027. A project that needs review and misses November cannot be fixed in January.
Check your own county fair’s rules early. Pre-approval applies at the Alameda County fair, the San Mateo County STEM Fair and the Contra Costa County fair too.
What reviewers want to see
Review committees approve a specific procedure, so be specific:
- exactly what participants or subjects will do
- how consent works, including parental consent for minors
- what data you keep, and how you protect it
- what risks exist and how you reduce them
A clear one-page plan moves through review much faster than a vague idea.
Common mistakes
Running a “pilot” first. A practice survey before approval is still data collected without approval.
Changing the procedure after approval. If you add a question or change a test, check whether it needs re-approval.
Assuming online means exempt. An online survey still has human participants.
If you are past the deadline
Do not give up on the fair. Choose a project that does not need review: a physics, engineering or computational project, or analysis of public data. Many strong projects are built this way.
Our mentors plan every project around the review deadlines of your county fair. See our research mentorship and the 2026-27 fair calendar, or read about the Synopsys November deadlines.
FAQ
Does an anonymous survey need IRB approval for a science fair?
Yes. A survey has human participants, even if it is anonymous or online, so it needs review before you collect any responses.
Can I start my experiment while waiting for approval?
No. Approval has to come before the experiment. Data collected before approval cannot be entered.
When is the SRC/IRB deadline for the Synopsys Championship?
The early due date is November 2, 2026, and the final pre-approval deadline is November 13, 2026.
What if I missed the IRB deadline?
Pick a project that does not need review, such as a physics, engineering or computational project, or analysis of public data.
More guides on this topic
- How to Come Up With a Science Fair Project Idea You Actually Care About
- Synopsys Science Fair 2027: The November Deadlines That Come First
- My Child Does Research in a University Lab, Do They Need Outside Help for Regeneron STS?
- Can University Lab Research Go to the County Science Fair and ISEF?
- Does Your Student Need a Research Mentor for STS or ISEF?
Planning a Science Fair or STS Project?
This guide is the general version. Work one on one with a physician who judges at the California state fair and a PhD chemist, on a project your student owns from the first question to the final poster.