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The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD, today announced that the European Union Contest for Young Scientist (EUCYS) will be held in Dublin, 14th -19th September 2018, marking the 30th anniversary of the prestigious competition.

A European-wide annual event organised by the European Commission, the EUCYS seeks to promote the ideals of co-operation and interchange between young scientists. A platform for the most promising young scientists across Europe, participants must each qualify from their own countries’ national exhibition, which in Ireland’s case is the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

Ireland, who last hosted the event in 2004, has enjoyed unparalleled success at the EUCYS, with 14 overall winners in the last 28 years.

Minister Bruton welcomed today’s announcement as a recognition and endorsement of the continued emphasis placed by the Department of Education on STEM education at second level.

Minister Bruton said:

“It is a fantastic achievement to be selected to host the 30th EU Contest for Young Scientists. As Minister for Education and Skills, I want Ireland to be a world leader in STEM education. Initiatives such as this play an important role in raising awareness and engagement around science and technology and the impact it has on every aspect of our lives. This European wide event is highly regarded. Ireland has exceeded all expectations with the level and standard of our past-participants, and I have no doubt this is down to the dedication and commitment of not only our students but also our teachers and parents across the country. I would like to also thank the board members of the charitable trust that is the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition Ltd who have been instrumental thus far and will be overseeing the running of the event.”

Commenting on the announcement Mari Cahalane, Head of BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, and National Organiser for EUCYS 2018:

“I am delighted Ireland has been chosen to host the 2018 EUCYS. It is a huge honour and something we have been working towards for quite some time. EUCYS is such a significant event for aspiring young scientists and technologists and something that our participants at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition strive to compete at. The international students who will take part are the innovators and scientific leaders of tomorrow, and that is why it is so important that Ireland shows them the welcome they deserve next year”.

About the EUCYS:

The EUCYS Contest for Young Scientists is part of the “Science with and for Society” activities managed by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, within the Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, and the European Research Area.

The competition will take place in the RDS in September 2018 where it is expected that over 100 projects from over 40 countries will compete for the European title.

EUCYS was set up by the European Commission in 1989 to encourage co-operation and exchange between young scientists and to give them an opportunity to be guided by some of Europe's most prominent researchers. The contest seeks to support national efforts to attract young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and to eventually choose careers in science and research. The number of participating young scientists has grown from 53 in the first competition in 1989 to 138 last year.

About Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition Ltd

Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition Limited (“The Company”) is a Charitable Trust which was incorporated on 28th April 2003. It was formed to create a separate corporate entity to protect and act as custodian for the YS&TE. The Company aims to build on the successful track record of Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (“Exhibition”) and maintain and develop the integrity and identity of the Exhibition. Since 2000 the Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition has been organised and sponsored by BT, one of the world’s leading communications providers. For more information see www.btyoungscientist.com