Regeneron Selected by Society for Science & the Public as New Sponsor of the Science Talent Search

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7846351-regeneron-science-talent-search/

The new sponsorship will be celebrated at a special event today at the American Museum of Natural History, which is known for its extensive science education program. The event will be hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ph.D., the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, and can be viewed via webcast at 9:00 a.m. EDT at http://edge.media-server.com/m/go/sciencetalentsearch.  

Regeneron is committing $100 million to support the Science Talent Search and other Society programs through 2026 and will assume title sponsorship of the competition effectively immediately. As part of its commitment, Regeneron is nearly doubling the overall award distribution to $3.1 million annually, increasing the top award to $250,000, and doubling the awards for the top 300 young scientists and their schools to $2,000 each. During its history, the Science Talent Search has provided more than $25 million in awards to over 8,500 students and schools.

"We are honored to be the new sponsors of the Science Talent Search, a national treasure that showcases the critical role science plays in advancing society. For me, participating in the Science Talent Search was a life-changing experience that inspired my future scientific career," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Founding Scientist and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron, President of Regeneron Laboratories and a top winner of the 1976 Science Talent Search. "For nearly 30 years, Regeneron has worked to turn groundbreaking science into medicines that will improve human lives. We are committed to supporting a rich pipeline of future talent who will improve our world through science and engineering for generations to come."

"The commitment that Regeneron has made to the Society for Science & the Public and our storied program is extraordinary," said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society, Publisher of Science News and an alumna of the 1985 Science Talent Search. "In the 75-year history of this competition and nearly a century of science education, this is the largest commitment we've ever received from a single organization. Through the dedication of Regeneron not only to continue but to advance the Science Talent Search, we will be expanding the program's reach like never before, extending the opportunities that individual research can offer and inspiring even more of our nation's talented young scientists."

As a key component of the sponsorship, $30 million will be dedicated to scaling Society initiatives focused on increasing outreach and equity for students across the United States to nurture their interest in the sciences. This funding will support inspirational and aspirational programming designed to reach new and underprivileged communities, support teachers and inspire more students to pursue careers in STEM.

"Regeneron is led by two alumni of the Science Talent Search, so we know first-hand what it means to promising young students," said Leonard Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D., Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regeneron and an alumnus of the 1970 Science Talent Search. "It's absolutely critical that the best and brightest minds pursue careers in science and engineering. This unrivaled program provides important motivation and reinforcement for talented young people to stay this course."

The Science Talent Search has been identifying and celebrating the best and brightest young scientific minds in the United States since 1942. The competition receives more than 1,800 applications each year from high school seniors across the country. By submitting an application to the Science Talent Search, entrants vie to be honored as one of the nation's top 300 young scientists, from which 40 finalists are selected for a week-long competition in Washington, D.C. Student finalists have met personally with eleven U.S. Presidents, including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.

About the Regeneron Science Talent Search
The Regeneron Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science & the Public since 1942, is the nation's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition. Each year, approximately 1,800 student entrants to the Science Talent Search submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study and are judged by leading experts in their fields. Often, these students endeavor to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges with promising research on medical issues, technology breakthroughs and social innovations. Unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and globally, the Science Talent Search focuses on identifying the next generation of scientists and engineers who will provide critical leadership in shaping the future of research and development for our nation and the world. The top 300 entries are recognized as the top young scientists in the United States, and they and their schools receive prizes of $2,000 each. The top 40 candidates are selected as Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists and invited to Washington, D.C., to attend a weeklong celebration of science, meet with lawmakers and leaders, and compete for top honors.

Program alumni include recipients of the world's most coveted science and math honors, including eleven National Medals of Science, three Breakthrough Prizes, seventeen MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, two Fields Medals and twelve Nobel Prizes. Distinguished Science Talent Search alumni include Society Trustees Mary Sue Coleman (president emeritus, University of Michigan), Tom Leighton (co-founder and CEO, Akamai Technologies) and Frank Wilczek (2004 Nobel Prize in Physics), among many others.

Intel was the title sponsor of the Science Talent Search from 1998-2016. For the first 55 years (1942-1997) of the Science Talent Search, Westinghouse was the title sponsor.

About Society for Science & the Public
Established in 1921, Society for Science & the Public (the Society) is one of the nation's oldest non-profit membership organizations dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Through its acclaimed science competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and the Broadcom MASTERS, and its award-winning Science News magazine and family of media properties, Society for Science & the Public is committed to inform, educate and inspire. For more information about the Society and its work, please visit www.societyforscience.org.

About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company based in Tarrytown, New York that discovers, invents, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions. Regeneron commercializes medicines for eye diseases, high LDL-cholesterol, and a rare inflammatory condition and has product candidates in development in other areas of high unmet medical need, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, pain and infectious diseases. For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.

About the American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, is one of the world's preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses 45 permanent exhibition halls, including the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Hayden Planetarium, as well as galleries for temporary exhibitions. Five active research divisions and three cross-disciplinary centers support approximately 200 scientists, whose work draws on a world-class permanent collection of more than 33 million specimens and artifacts, as well as specialized collections for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data, and one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Drawing on its scientific resources, the Museum's educational programs range from early-childhood science classes to offerings for middle school, high school, and college students that include unparalleled opportunities to conduct authentic scientific research with scientist mentors. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, it is the only American museum authorized to grant the Ph.D. degree and the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Visit amnh.org for more information.

Media Contact for Society for Science & the Public:
Casey Clark
Tel. 202.346.8844
[email protected]

Media Contacts for Regeneron:
Alexandra Bowie
Tel. 202.213.1643
[email protected]

Media Contact for American Museum of Natural History and Dr. Tyson:
Roberto Lebron
Tel. 212.496.3411
[email protected]

SOURCE Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related Links

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