Every year, the EU picks one lucky student who has impressed a scientific jury to be named EU Young Scientist of the Year. This has been a regular fixture in the European scientific calendar since 1989 when it was first launched. Its aim is to encourage students to get involved in science and hopefully choose a scientific career.
The award enables students to go head to head with their contemporaries from other EU countries, but lately also from further afield, and to rub elbows with the world's top scientists. It is a real eye-opener for many of them, especially those leaving their home country for the first time. In any case, the event is an unforgettable experience for the young scientists as they have to present their project in an international environment. Whether their interest originated from a personal hobby or a chance observation that lead to a deeper investigation, all students share a common appetite for scientific study.
To participate in the EU Contest for Young Scientists, you must first win a national competition, which makes the EU prize the top award due to its high standards. National organisers nominate participants each year. You can enter individually or as part of a small team of up to three people, and must be aged between 14 and 21. Each country can submit up to six young scientists and a maximum of three projects comprising a written report and a model of the project to be presented.

Stand and deliver

The awards are held in a different European city each year over the course of a week with participants showcasing their projects on allocated stands. Visitors can walk around and see the latest projects, and the jury visits each stand during the week asking the participants detailed questions about the projects - interviews are conducted in English.
Although much of the week is spent judging scientific projects there is also ample opportunity for socialising and sightseeing activities, which helps to take the edge off a potentially nerve-wracking experience.
There is a wide array of prizes on offer: there are three winners each for first, second and third place, with cash prizes ranging from €7 000 for first, €5 000 for second and €3 500 for third place.
Previous Young Scientist laureates have gone on to illustrious careers in the research field, such as in the European Space Agency, a major pharmaceutical company and a national IT firm.
The awards are usually held annually in September.

Fore more information about the EU Contest for Young Scientists: http://ec.europa.eu/research/youngscientists/index_en.cfm