Application

Select your competition division below to learn how to submit your project and complete the TNJSF application process.

How to Enter the TNJSF
Read Through the TNJSF Website

The information on this website is your primary guide to participation, rules, and deadlines. Please read through the various pages carefully. The information and ALL DEADLINES provided on this website supersede any information found elsewhere.

Important: Before beginning your application, review the application steps below and the Student Deadlines section to ensure that all required materials are submitted on time.

Student Registration on zFairs

zFairs is a fair management system that serves as our entry portal. This is where you will initiate your entry in the TNJSF.

#1 Your Sponsor Must Register on zFairs Before You Register
  • Sponsor registration is required first so the student can select their Sponsor and School when they register.
  • If your school is new to the TNJSF, your Sponsor can add your school to our system.
  • Consult the Sponsor zFairs Registration page for more information.
#2 Set Up Your Student Account

Go to zFairs and complete the following steps:

  • In the Sign-Up Now box, enter your name and the email address you want to use for TNJSF correspondence. Then click Create Account.
  • On the next screen, choose Student in the Register As field and click Save and Continue.
  • You will receive an email with a link to verify your email address. Click that link to continue.
#3 Complete Your Student Profile
  • After verifying your email address, you will be directed to the profile screen.
  • Fill out the first five tabs on your profile screen.
  • On the School tab, select your school from the drop-down list. Then choose your Sponsor from the list of sponsors associated with your school.
  • On the Entry tab, fill out the project title and description fields. You can update these until January 23, 2027.
  • If your project is a TEAM PROJECT, check that box on the Entry tab and add your team member.
  • Make note of the Project ID on the Entry tab. It will be used in Terra Entry System to identify your project.
  • Click Save and Continue to complete your profile.
#4 Pay Your Entry Fee
  • Click Pay fee now to pay your entry fee by credit card.
  • If you are not ready to pay the fee at the time of registration, select Set up an invoice on the zFairs Checkout page.
  • The fee must be paid by the applicable deadline listed in the Student Deadlines section below.
#5 Wait 24–48 Hours to Receive an Email From Terra Entry System
  • The information in zFairs will transfer to Terra Entry System and initiate the next step in the entry process.
  • You and your Sponsor will receive an email from Terra Entry System with instructions to continue your entry.
  • If your project is a TEAM PROJECT, the transfer to Terra Entry System and the subsequent email will not take place until both team members are registered on zFairs and linked to the project.
Submit Your Project Documentation by the Entry Deadline

Terra Entry System is an online system for providing all project information required by ISEF. This system replaces all ISEF forms. All seven steps must be completed by the applicable entry deadline. Please refer to the Student Deadlines section below for the required dates.

#1 Register on Terra Entry System
  • After you receive the email from Terra Entry System, click the link to start your registration.
  • On the login screen, enter your email address and follow the instructions.
  • Make sure you register on Terra Entry System with the same email address you used on zFairs.
  • Complete or update your student profile and click Submit. You are now registered on Terra Entry System, and the system will take you to your dashboard.
#2 Complete the Project Tab
  • On your dashboard, click the link for the project downloaded from zFairs.
  • The Project tab will load next to the Dashboard tab.
  • Complete the lower part of the Project tab to explain what your project is, where it was completed, and which adults assisted you.
  • Click Validate and Move to Next Tab.
#3 Enter Your Project Details

There are seven orange tabs on Terra Entry System that you must complete to provide all information required under ISEF and TNJSF rules. They will remain orange until you have visited each tab and completed one of the following:

  • Fill out the fields relevant to your project and mark the tab as Complete.
  • Select Nothing to Enter on the tab.

Once Terra Entry System validates that a tab is complete, it will display green.

#4 Provide Sufficient Detail in Your Research Plan
  • The final Project Details tab is the Research Plan. There are five required sections that must be completed.
  • In the Experimental Methods and Data Analysis sections, include sufficient detail for the SRC to determine whether your project complies with all rules and safety requirements.
  • These sections should include only work performed by the student.
  • If applicable, use the additional section at the top of the Research Plan to describe work performed by your Mentor, Sponsor, or others in the lab in support of your project.
#5 Check the Information on the Review Tab
  • Once all seven Project Details tabs are marked complete and display green, continue to the Review tab.
  • Make sure all information on the Review tab is correct and that there are no Terra Entry System flags or requests to upload additional documentation.
  • Terra Entry System flags must be addressed on the specified tab.
  • Requested documents, such as safety training certificates, must be uploaded before you can sign your project and continue.
  • If your project is a TEAM PROJECT, both students must sign.
#6 Get Your Project Signed by Your Parent, Sponsor, and Mentor
#7 Make Sure Your Mentor Submits a Mentor Report
  • The TNJSF requires Mentor Reports to be submitted before requesting an SRC review.
  • Entries with an inadequate or missing Mentor Report will be marked incomplete by the TNJSF SRC and returned with an update request.
  • If your project has a Supervisor in addition to a Mentor, both must submit a Mentor Report.
  • Refer to the Student Deadlines section below for the applicable submission deadlines.
Get Your Project Approved by the SRC

Once signatures are complete and the Mentor Report has been submitted, request an SRC review from the bottom of the Review tab. Your project must receive SRC approval to participate in the TNJSF.

The SRC will review your Terra Entry System record and either approve it or request additional or corrected information. If you receive an update request, return to Terra Entry System and update the information according to the SRC instructions. You may also include a short message to the SRC if needed.

You must sign your project again to indicate that the requested updates have been completed. Then request another SRC review.

Final Submissions Required for Participation

Congratulations! You are now an active participant in the TNJSF. Additional submissions are required for the website project display and judging.

  • Mentor Reports must be finalized by the applicable deadline listed in the Student Deadlines section below.
  • The required abstract and Final Presentation file must be submitted through the Abstract+ tab in Terra Entry System by the applicable deadlines listed in the Student Deadlines section below.
How to Enter a TNJSF Topic Presentation
Read Through the Topic Presentation Webpages
The information on this website is your primary guide to participation, rules, and deadlines. Please read through the various pages carefully. The information and ALL DEADLINES provided on this website supersede any information found elsewhere.
Student and Sponsor Registration on Terra Entry System
Terra Entry System is an online system for providing all project information for your Topic Presentation. This is where you will initiate your entry in the TNJSF.
Note: Topic Presentation entries should NOT use the zFairs registration interface.
#1 Student Registration on Terra Entry System
  • Register on Terra Entry System using the email address you plan to use for the competition.
  • During registration, you will be required to complete a profile form.
  • If your school is not included in the list of schools on the form, refer to #2 Adult Sponsor Registration on Terra Entry System below.
#2 Adult Sponsor Registration on Terra Entry System
Your Adult Sponsor may be a teacher, parent or guardian, or another mentor. The Adult Sponsor must register on Terra Entry System using their email address and complete a profile form.
If your school is not included in the list of schools on the profile form:
  • If your Sponsor is a teacher, the school will be added to the list when the teacher registers in Terra Entry System.
  • If your Sponsor is not a teacher, contact the Fair Director for assistance.
Submit Your Topic Presentation Documentation by the Entry Deadline
#1 Enter Your Topic Presentation Information
  • On the Topic tab, enter the title and a short description of your Topic Presentation.
  • Specify your Adult Sponsor. Your Sponsor must be registered in Terra Entry System before you can complete your entry.
  • You may defer completing the Topic Proposal tab, including the References and Abstract sections, until you have finished researching your topic.
#2 Get Your Entry Approved
After you complete the Topic tab, the Review tab will display links for:
  • You to sign the entry.
  • You to request approval from your Adult Sponsor.
  • You to request approval from your parent or guardian.
When you click each request link, an email will be sent asking the appropriate person to log in and approve your entry.
A link to pay the 2027 Topic Entry Fee of $10 will appear below the signature table. The fee may be paid by you, your parent or guardian, or your Adult Sponsor.
#3 Complete Your Entry Before the February 23, 2027 Deadline
Before the Topic Entry Deadline, return to Terra Entry System and complete the Topic Proposal tab by entering your References and Abstract. This is required to complete your entry.
#4 Prepare for the On-Site Exhibition