Initiative for Research and Innovation in STEM (IRIS) National Fair is a public – private partnership program funded by Department of Science & Technology (DST), and Broadcom; and implemented by EXSTEMPLAR Education Linkers Foundation.
IRIS promotes and nurtures Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research amongst young Indian innovators. It recognizes and rewards outstanding projects and provides a platform for young innovators to get recognized at national and international STEM events.
The IRIS National Fair is conducted annually in India for school students, who compete in 21 subject categories. Winners of the IRIS National Fair go on to represent India at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in USA. Winners of the 1st and 2nd Grand Award at ISEF actually have minor planets named after them courtesy Lincoln Laboratories, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. Till date 31 young Indians have received this honour, courtesy this platform.
Till 2020, a total of 265 Indian students have participated in ISEF and have won 160 awards and accolades at this unique mega international event. Winners at ISEF not only win laurels for the nation but also get the opportunity to have a minor planet named after them. From 1999-2020, 31 students from India have had the unique honour of having minor planets named after them.