The 4th EELISA Scientific Student Competition brings young European research to Madrid

This proverb perfectly captures the spirit of the 4th EELISA Scientific Student Competition, held on 21 and 22 May 2026 at the School of Industrial Engineering of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

For two days, Madrid became a meeting point for student researchers from across Europe, bringing together curiosity, academic ambition and international collaboration. 

Organised within EELISA, the competition reflects the Alliance’s mission to connect engineering, science and society through a shared European academic community. EELISA brings together ten higher education institutions from eight European countries, with the ambition of shaping a common model of European engineer rooted in society and able to respond to inclusive, sustainable and digital challenges.

The 4th edition invited BSc, MSc and PhD students from EELISA partner institutions to present their research, develop scientific writing skills, collaborate with experts and explore future academic projects. Participants worked across a wide range of disciplines, including Engineering, Architecture, Natural Sciences, Economics and Social Sciences. 

More than a final presentation, the competition was the result of months of preparation. Students developed their research with the support of supervisors, prepared scientific papers and presented their work before juries and peers in an international setting. 

A European campus for student research 

The Madrid edition continued a growing EELISA tradition. Previous editions of the Scientific Student Competition had already shown the potential of this format as a platform for student research, connecting young researchers across countries, universities and disciplines. The 2026 edition built on that momentum, placing UPM at the centre of an EELISA week in Madrid that also included broader Alliance activities and meetings.  

At the School of Industrial Engineering, the event became a temporary European campus. Students moved between presentations, jury discussions and informal conversations, discovering not only new research topics but also new ways of approaching similar challenges. 

This interdisciplinary atmosphere was one of the most valuable aspects of the competition. The SSC gave students the opportunity to look beyond their own field and understand how research can become stronger when it is shared across academic cultures. 

Learning to present, defend and connect ideas 

The competition also highlighted a key part of academic growth: learning how to communicate research. Participants had to present complex ideas clearly, answer questions and defend their work in front of an expert audience. 

For many students, this was a first experience of presenting research in an international academic environment. For others, it was a step towards a thesis, a publication or a future collaboration. In both cases, the SSC offered a space where students could grow as researchers while becoming part of a wider EELISA community. 

Recognising young scientific talent

The competition concluded with an award ceremony recognising the most outstanding research contributions presented during the event. The official program included final presentations, jury results and the celebration of the winning projects.

Going further, together

The 4th EELISA Scientific Student Competition showed that student research is not only about individual projects. It is also about dialogue, feedback and collaboration. In Madrid, students from across the EELISA Alliance had the chance to test their ideas, learn from each other and imagine how their research could grow beyond their own university. 

By bringing together young researchers in a shared European space, the SSC continues to strengthen its role as one of EELISA’s most meaningful student opportunities. The Madrid edition confirmed that the competition is no longer just becoming a tradition: it is already part of the EELISA identity. 

And, as one of the messages from the event reminded participants: research can go further when it is built together. 

Here are the winners of the 2026 edition: