In addition to 1st and 2nd place presented to students in each age group and category, every year, several sponsors of the Annual Coriell Institute Science Fair have provided special and distinctive awards to recognize students (both individuals and teams) who have displayed excellence with their science fair projects. These awards demonstrate the high value sponsors place on achievement by middle and high school students in the areas of science and technology.
Lewis L. Coriell Best of Fair Award
In honor of Dr. Lewis L. Coriell's spirit and innovative drive, one 6-8thgrade participant or team and one 9-12thgrade participant or team will be recognized by the Lewis L. Coriell Best of Fair Award for outstanding perseverance and cleverness in the design of an experimental approach to a research problem, particularly when the design overcomes limited resources. This award was created by the Coriell Institute for Medical Research in honor of its founder, who passed away in 2001.
Starting in 2026, the Coriell Science Fair will be issuing Innovation Awards. These awards are sponsored by the Zajac Family.
While our Special Award Judges will still be recognizing the judging criteria of our category awards, the following three areas will be looked at more closely:
Participants who put forth an outstanding project, which also exhibits these three additional criteria will be chosen for the following awards:
Innovation in Life Sciences Award
One 6-8th grade participant or team and one 9-12th grade participant or team will be awarded the Innovation in Life Sciences Award for exhibiting an innovative approach within a life science category.
These Categories are as follows: Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology
Innovation in Medicine & Health Award
One 6-8th grade participant or team and one 9-12th grade participant or team will be awarded the Innovation in Medicine and Health Award for exhibiting an innovative approach in the Medicine and Health category.
Innovation in Physical Sciences Award
The Innovation in Physical Sciences Award will be presented to one 6-8th grade participant or team and one 9-12th grade participant or team for demonstrating an innovative approach in one of the physical sciences categories.
These Categories are as follows: Earth and Space Sciences, Environmental Science, Zoology, Consumer Science
Innovation in Engineering & Physics Award
One 6-8th grade participant or team and one 9-12th grade participant or team will be awarded the Innovation in Engineering and Physics Award (this can include mathematics, computer science, and engineering projects).
Behavioral & Social Sciences Innovation Award
One 6-8th grade participant and one 9-12th grade participant will be awarded the Innovation in Behavior and Social Sciences Award for exhibiting an innovative approach in Behavioral and Social Sciences categories.
Innovation in Chemistry Award
One 6-8th grade participant or team and one 9-12th grade participant or team will be awarded the Innovation in Chemistry Award for exhibiting an innovative approach in the chemistry category.
