Initiative for Research and Innovation in STEM (IRIS) National Fair is a public private partnership program funded and supported by Broadcom and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and organized & 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 the USA.

Each year, research-based science projects by young students, across 21 subject categories—are reviewed by an eminent jury comprising of scientists and domain experts. Then, the short-listed entries are showcased at the annual IRIS National Fair. 

IRIS reaches out to India’s 5 most influential school level science fairs to get rooted as one of the foremost research based science fairs in India. 

1. Rashtriya Bal Vaigyanik Pradarshani - an initiative of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
2. National Children’s Science Congress - piloted by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC)
3. National Council of Science Museums
4.  CBSE Science Exhibition - for Central Board of Secondary Education schools across India (CBSE)
5. INSPIRE - Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research

Winners from these fairs are invited to regional mentorship camps and offered guidance on participation in IRIS. With this, IRIS strives to foster the next generation of innovators.