36th National Science and Innovation Olympics opens for applications

The 36th National Science and Innovation Olympics, organised by the Hungarian Innovation Association, has opened for applications. Young people can take part with a technical, scientific, IT, environmental or mathematical idea or development.

Who can apply

The competition is open to students born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2013 who have not yet started higher education. It is aimed mainly at secondary school students interested in science who have innovative ideas, inventions, concepts or projects.

How it works

The competition has three rounds:

1. regional selections in seven cities;
2. a national application round;
3. a preparation phase for selected participants, supported by several months of mentoring.

The most innovative projects then go through to the final, which includes an exhibition.

Regional selections and deadlines

To take part in a regional selection, students submit a project description of up to two pages at least 10 days before the selection date.

Students who miss the regional selections can still apply directly until midnight on 7 December 2026.

Prizes and international opportunities

Award winners share prizes worth more than HUF 5 million in total, and the most successful supervising teachers and secondary schools also receive special support. OTIO also serves as a gateway to several international innovation competitions and programmes in Europe, the United States and East Asia.

The full call for applications is available on the OTIO website (in Hungarian) and on the Hungarian Innovation Association website.