International context
Participants come from national science competitions in many countries and present projects selected for further participation.
EUCYS
European Union Contest for Young Scientists.
EUCYS is the European Union Contest for Young Scientists. It brings together students from many countries to present their research projects, meet peers with similar interests and take part in an international science community.
From the national competition to Europe: selected participants may have the opportunity to represent Iceland at EUCYS.
What is EUCYS?
EUCYS connects young people working on research, science and innovation.
The European Union Contest for Young Scientists is an annual competition where young scientists present their projects to a jury, other participants and visitors. The competition gives participants an opportunity to receive feedback, build connections and see how young people in other countries approach scientific questions.
EUCYS in practice
See what EUCYS looks like.
The video from EUCYS 2025 in Riga gives a good impression of how the international contest works, how projects are presented and how young scientists meet on a European stage.
This video is hosted on YouTube. When played, information may be shared with YouTube or Google.
Presentation and dialogue
Projects are presented to a jury and other participants. An important part of the competition is explaining the project and answering questions.
Connections and inspiration
EUCYS is also an opportunity to meet young people with similar interests and discover research projects from many different places.
Taking part in EUCYS
Key EUCYS eligibility information.
Ages 14–20
EUCYS is intended for young scientists aged 14 to 20, according to the competition's eligibility rules.
Individuals or teams
Projects may be entered by an individual or a team of up to three participants.
Up to three projects
Each country may submit up to three projects to EUCYS, with a maximum of six contestants in total.
Official information
Explore EUCYS and related European science initiatives.
These links point to information about EUCYS, EUCYS 2026 and European initiatives connected to the competition.
EUCYS 2026
Open EUCYS 2026 information from Science Comes to Town.
Science Comes to Town
Explore the European science initiative connected to EUCYS 2026.
European Commission
Read about EUCYS on the European Commission website.
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EUCYS 2026
EUCYS 2026 will take place in Kiel, Germany.
EUCYS 2026 will be held in Kiel from 22 to 27 September 2026. The competition will be hosted by Kiel University in partnership with Stiftung Jugend forscht as part of Science Comes to Town.
Key information
Location: Kiel, Germany
Dates: 22–27 September 2026
Event: European Union Contest for Young Scientists
The path to EUCYS
Participation begins with a project at home.
The path for Icelandic participants to EUCYS begins with Ungt vísindafólk. Students develop their project and present it in the national competition. Participants are then selected to represent Iceland at EUCYS, subject to the eligibility requirements and rules of the international competition.
1. Project
A student or team works on research, an experiment, a prototype, analysis or another research-related idea.
2. National competition
The project is presented in Ungt vísindafólk and receives evaluation and feedback from a jury.
3. Icelandic selection
Selected participants from the national competition are nominated to represent Iceland at EUCYS in accordance with the competition rules.
4. EUCYS
Participants present their project on a European stage and meet young scientists from other countries.
What does a good EUCYS project need?
Clear thinking matters as much as the final result.
Clear topic
The project should explain what question, problem or idea is being worked on.
Careful work
Participants should be able to describe their method, data, testing, sources or design process.
Good presentation
The project should be presented so that the jury and visitors understand what was done and what the results mean.
Ungt vísindafólk and EUCYS 2027
Iceland's pathway to EUCYS is being prepared.
Applications for Ungt vísindafólk are planned to open in December 2026, with the national competition taking place in spring 2027. Detailed national competition rules, evaluation criteria and the process for selecting Icelandic representatives for EUCYS will be published before applications open.
Good to know
EUCYS is based on national competitions. Icelandic representatives must therefore be selected through Ungt vísindafólk and meet the current EUCYS rules and eligibility requirements.
Want to know more?
Students, teachers and schools interested in Ungt vísindafólk can contact us or follow updates on this website.