The IRIS National Fair promotes and nurtures science and scientific research among young Indian innovators. It recognises and rewards outstanding projects. It provides a platform for winning students to represent India at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, held annually in the U.S.
Having begun as the Intel Science Talent and Discovery Fair in 1999, IRIS has been nurturing the spirit of innovation among school students in India since 2006. The aim is to infuse the spirit of discovery in school children, increase their interest in science and technology, and build a robust scientific temper among the youth of the country.
Each year, research-based science projects by young students, across 21 subject categories—are reviewed by an eminent jury comprising of scientists and domain experts. Then, the short-listed entries are showcased at the annual IRIS National Fair.
In an effort to reach out to more students and gain wider participation, IRIS, in 2013, partnered with India’s 5 most influential school level science fairs to get rooted as one of the foremost research based science fairs in India.
- Jawaharlal Nehru National Science Exhibition for Children - an initiative of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
- National Children’s Science Congress - piloted by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC)
- National Council of Science Museums
- CBSE Science Exhibition - for Central Board of Secondary Education schools across India (CBSE)
- INSPIRE - Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research
Winners from these fairs are invited to regional mentorship camps and offered guidance on participation in IRIS. With this, IRIS strives to foster the next generation of innovators.
