National Contest for University Students

2021 contest main prize winners Sander Ratso (left) and Juhan Saharov (right). Photo by Aron Urb

The aim of the national contest for university students is to promote research among university students, stimulate them to be more active and to acknowledge students who have achieved outstanding results with their thesis, study, research or scientific publication.

The 2023 contest is now open for applications!

Submit your application by September 15 here.

The contest is open for all students studying in Estonia (including foreign students studying in Estonia) and Estonian citizens studying abroad. Research papers can be submitted on all university levels: applied higher education and bachelor’s studies; master’s studies; doctoral studies and in all fields of research:

    1. Natural Sciences;
    2. Engineering and Technology;
    3. Medical and Health Sciences;
    4. Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences;
    5. Social Sciences;
    6. Humanities and the Arts.

Objectives of the contest are to:

  • raise appreciation for research among the students
  • stimulate the activities of students in the field of research
  • acknowledge students and groups of students who have achieved outstanding results in research.

The award fund is 181374,78 euros in total:

  • national awards for students following bachelor’s or professional degree programmes: 1st prize 1700 euros, 2nd prize 1300 euros, 3rd prize 850 euros;
  • national awards for master’s students: 1st prize 2500 euros, 2nd prize 1900 euros, 3rd prize 1300 euros;
  • national awards for doctoral students: 1st prize 3400 euros, 2nd prize 2500 euros, 3rd prize 1700 euros;
  • 3 special prizes of the President of Estonian Academy of Sciences, 9424,78 euros in total as follows:
    • students following bachelor’s or professional degree programmes: special prize for auspicious scintillating sparks – π×500=1570.80 euros;
    • doctoral or master’s students: 1st special prize for the most elegant student research paper – π×1500=4712.39 euros; 2nd special prize for an unconventional student research paper –  π×1000=3141.59 euros;

    up to 2 special prizes of fund for constitutional law of Estonian Academy of Sciences, 6700 euros in total;

  • up to 2 special prizes of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the fields of international relations, foreign affairs, development cooperation, cyber security or other fields managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1500 euros in total;
  • up to 4 special prizes of Estonian Ministry of Environment, 6600 euros in total;
  • up to 2 special prizes of the Chancellery of the Riigikogu for master’s and doctoral students in fields of parliament, parliamentarism, parliamentary assemblies of Estonia and representative democracy, 1500 euros in total. The winning paper will be published on the issue of Riigikogu Toimetised.
  • up to 4 special prizes of Estonian National Heritage Board in the field of cultural heritage or fields closely connected to that, 3000 euros in total;
  • a special prize of the Foundation of Marine Culture of Captain Uno Laur for the best research paper in the field of maritime affairs, 1000 euros in total;
  • a special prize of the Foundation of Pere Sihtkapital, 2300 euros in total;
  • special prizes of the Ministry of the Interior, 2000 euros in total;
  • special prizes of the Ministry of Finance, 11 300 euros in total;
  • special prizes of the Minsitry of Justice, 6000 euros in total.

In addition, the competition awards two national main prizes (a 5000 euros) irrespective of the fields of research and levels of education.

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in December 2023. 

Want to participate? Click HERE to find out how!

Additional information:

Signe Toomla
signe.toomla@g.etag.ee

Department of Science  Communication
Estonian Research Council

The contest is organized in cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research.