Practical information

EUCYS, or European Union Contest for Young Scientists, is a chief European challenge for young scientists, organised since 1989 by the European Commission.
The contest includes two parts: in spring, national eliminations take place, while in autumn, the international final. Each year, a different city is announced as a host of the competition. This year, Riga was granted this honourable title.

EUCYS is open to young scientists aged between 14 and 20 who have won first prize in their respective national science competitions. Eligible projects can be theoretical or experimental and may be conducted individually or in teams of up to three members. Participants must not have completed their first semester of tertiary education. Each country can submit up to three projects, with a maximum of six contestants in total. The selection of participants is coordinated by National Organisers, who nominate the top projects from their national contests for EUCYS.

The contest will be held in Riga, the capital of the Republic of Latvia. The main exhibition and project presentations will take place at Hanzas Perons, a modern cultural venue located in a repurposed historical railway warehouse.

This year’s competition is organised by the State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia (VIAA).

You can contact the organisers via the email address: 

This year, 91 projects will be presented from 37 countries.

The project categories include: biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, mathematics, materials science, engineering, computer science, environmental science, and social sciences.

Countries represented in the contest are: Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA, Ukraine, and the European Schools.

Main prizes:
• 4 first prizes of €7,000 each
• 4 second prizes of €5,000 each
• 4 third prizes of €3,500 each
• Special Jury Award for Youth 2.500 €

Information about other prizes can be found here. 

EUCYS 2025 is not open to the general public. However, on 17 and 18 September 2025, the exhibition will welcome pre-registered school groups.

School visits are by registration only and with limited places, as we aim to minimise distractions to the jury process and the participants’ project presentations. Teachers and group leaders will receive detailed instructions after completing the registration.Registration will open at the end of August.

The stands are in U shape and the dimensions are of 2,5m (H) * 2m (W) * 1m (D).

Each booth will be equipped with one electrical socket, lighting, one table (dimensions: 110 x 67 x 75 cm), and one chair.

The project must be showcased in English (you are invited, by courtesy with the visitors, to have an abstract in Latvian, although it is not necessary).

Dress code is casual, with the exception of the award ceremony, where formal attire or national dress is required.

Yes, you can bring accompanying visitors to EUCYS, but there are specific rules:

• Official participants have access to all program activities, including meals, cultural events, and the Awards Ceremony.
• Extra visitors such as friends, family, or observers may only attend the public exhibition days where projects are displayed. This year it will be on September 17 and 18.
• If accompanying visitors want to join cultural activities, the Awards Ceremony, or access catering, they must register in advance with the Host Organiser and cover all associated costs themselves.
• The Host Organiser is not obliged to arrange travel, accommodation, or meals for unregistered visitors

The organisers take care of the European participants and escorts (flights from and to the airport selected in the registration form and transfers to and from the hotel).

Nationals of most third countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are under an obligation to hold a visa for a proposed stay of a maximum duration of 3 months on the territory of the SCHENGEN States.

If you need a visa to come to Latvia:

• The participant must complete the registration information online;
• Participant requests an invitation from the organizer after registration is complete;
• The organizer issues an invitation;
• The participant meets all the required conditions and submits an application to the embassy or consulate responsible for visas.

NOTE: The participant is fully responsible for arranging the visa in a timely manner and providing all required documents to obtain the visa.

The organizers are not responsible if the participant does not obtain the visa on time.
You can find detailed information about the visa here.

Organised transport to the hotel will be provided.

All participants must be covered by an insurance for the period of the event. Insurance is not provided by organisers.

September in Latvia is early autumn, with mild and changeable weather. Daytime temperatures usually range from +12°C to +18°C, while evenings can be cooler, around +7°C to +12°C. Rain showers are common, so we recommend bringing a light jacket, umbrella, and comfortable shoes.

For the most up-to-date forecast, check the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre: https://www.meteo.lv

Latvia’s official currency is the euro (EUR, €). Most places accept cash and major credit cards, and ATMs are widely available in Riga.

Exchange rates vary daily. To check the latest rates, visit the European Central Bank website.

For Latvia there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Latvia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Most European devices will work without an adapter in Latvia, but visitors from countries with different plug types (e.g., UK or USA) will need a plug adapter and, in some cases, a voltage converter if their devices are not compatible with 230V.