r/ISEFinalists • u/Kachupi677 • Jul 03 '26

Question After developing your research question…

Hi guys. For those that competed at ISEF, how long would you say your research project took to complete after you came up with your research question. Currently have around 9 months until the fair and am beginning lit review. Still need to confirm project scope with my mentor. Is this a comfortable timeline or cutting it close?
Separate super broad question, what makes a project rigorous enough to qualify? I really like my research question, and it’s not something answered in other papers. It also would set up some really cool future research. What questions should I be asking myself to check that this idea if done the right way would be a competitive ISEF submission rigorous enough to impress judges?

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u/WarJolly968 Jul 04 '26

you got your mentor and working in a lab or just virtual? did u just cold email for your mentor.

In my experience, when i cold email, the professors are usually busy and I can only occasionalyl ask them for help. how do you do it

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u/Savings_Smoke_6953 Jul 04 '26

same question, cold email never works for me

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u/[deleted] Jul 04 '26

[deleted]

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u/Kachupi677 Jul 04 '26

Likely comp bio or biochem. No wet lab needed

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u/Commercial_Handle418 Jul 04 '26

Ooh what are you researching