14.08.2026
The Estonian Research Council (ETAG) invites students to participate in the 2026 National Contest for University Students. Submissions are open until 15 September (inclusive). This year, the total prize fund exceeds €200,000.
According to Kristiina Tõnnisson, Director General of the Estonian Research Council, the National Contest for University Students, now being held for the 25th time, has grown into one of Estonia’s longest-running and most influential research competitions. “Over the past quarter of a century, the contest has helped highlight outstanding young people across all fields of research. High-quality research generates knowledge and solutions that shape the development of our society and help us address the challenges of the future. What makes the contribution of university students particularly valuable is that young researchers often dare to look at familiar questions from a fresh perspective, challenge established assumptions and seek new solutions. The desire to make the world a better place and a research-based approach have been the greatest value of this contest throughout all these years,” Tõnnisson said.
Students from all fields of study and levels of higher education are welcome to participate. National prizes are awarded in six fields: natural sciences; engineering and technology; medical and health sciences; agricultural sciences and veterinary sciences; social sciences; and humanities and the arts. Participants can compete in three degree-level categories: applied higher education and bachelor’s studies, master’s studies, and doctoral studies.
The prize fund for the national prizes is €112,900. In addition, special prizes worth more than €93,000 will be awarded by the contest’s partners.
The National Contest for University Students aims to recognise research conducted by university students, encourage greater student engagement in research, and acknowledge those who have achieved outstanding results in their work. The submitted works are evaluated by a national contest committee. Research papers completed in 2025 or 2026 may be submitted. The research paper must be submitted in Estonian; a work in a foreign language must be accompanied by an Estonian-language summary. Only complete works may be submitted, and the research paper must be a completed thesis at the higher education level that has been defended.
Submissions are open until 15 September via ETAG’s competition platform, konkursid.etag.ee.
More detailed information about the contest requirements is available on the ETAG website.
The results of the contest will be published through the information channels of the Estonian Research Council and the Ministry of Education and Research. The prizes will be presented at a formal invitation-only award ceremony in December.
The National Contest for University Students is organised by the Estonian Research Council and the Ministry of Education and Research. Prizes have been awarded since 2002.
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