Beckman Foundation Commits $375,000 to Orange County Science & Engineering Fair
Five-year Agreement Extends Support for Return to In-person Fair, Additional Programming and Resources, Outreach, Competition Special Awards, ISEF Sponsorship, and More
IRVINE, Calif. (September 29, 2026) – The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation today announced the Orange County Science & Engineering Fair (OCSEF) as a renewal recipient of its Orange County Community Support Grant program, awarding $375,000 in funding to be distributed in installments of $75,000 over the next five years. The funds are intended to support five initiatives, including OCSEF’s return to an in-person fair, outreach to build participation through additional programming and resources, development of OCSEF’s organizational structure and volunteer base, promotion of general interest in STEM and STEM careers, and provision for special recognition, awards, ISEF sponsorship, and operational expenses during the fair’s awards celebration.
Beckman’s local community support grants fund organizations with innovative STEM/STEAM activities, projects, and/or events within the Orange County, California area that align with its aim of “supporting young scientists today for tomorrow’s breakthrough discoveries.” Through OCSEF, students gain scientific literacy, critical thinking skills, and engineering capabilities, and are given opportunities to both develop and demonstrate their talents via participation in local school science and engineering fairs.
“The generous support of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation will ensure our transition to an in-person fair this year. This will also provide stability while we recruit new volunteers and community partners and sponsors.
The 2027 Orange County Science & Engineering Fair will be held March 12-14 at Santa Ana College, with Project Setup scheduled for March 12, Judging and Student Interviews on March 13, and Awards Ceremony planned for March 14.
About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1977 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org.
About Orange County Science & Engineering Fair (OCSEF)
The Orange County Science & Engineering Fair (OCSEF) has been fostering scientific literacy and critical thinking skills for all students throughout Orange County for over 70 years. Its mission is to promote and encourage scientific and engineering capabilities by providing students with the opportunity to both develop and demonstrate their talents through science fair participation. OCSEF supports teachers with workshops and provides mentoring to enhance their science curriculum and promote local school science and engineering fairs. To learn more, visit ocsef.org.
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Download a pdf of the press release here:
AMBF Press Contact:
Kaerie Ray, Communications Director
(949) 560-4232, [email protected]
OCSEF Press Contact:
Elizabeth Cronin, Executive Director
[email protected]
