European Union Contest for Young Scientists

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The European Union (EU) Contest for Young Scientists is a science fair, initiated by the European Commission. It is a part of the European Union Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, and is managed by the Directorate General for Research in the European Commission.

The EU Contest was set up to promote the ideals of cooperation and interchange between young scientists. It provides an annual showcase of the best of European student scientific achievement and such attracts widespread media interest. The EU Contest is hosted annually in a different European country. Every year a new local host organisation co-operates with the European Commission to organise the event.

The EU Contest was initiated in 1989 when European Commission president Jacques Delors took up the challenge from Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands of organising the Europe-wide student science fair. Philips has organised this annual event since 1968, but felt the time had come for the European Union to take on the organisation after 20 successful Philips Contests.

In addition to multiple days in the exhibit hall for judging, competitors travel to various science museums and attractions in the host city. Winners of the contest participate in a press conference after the awards ceremony.^[1]