The Girls Go STEM Student Challenge is an annual European competition inviting girls aged 14–19 to team up and turn ideas into impactful STEM solutions. This year, you are invited to take on a real-world challenge: space debris is a growing risk and your ideas can help shape the future of how we design and use space technologies.
The challenge is organized by Girls Go STEM, an initiative under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Selected teams will be invited to the EIT Women and Girls in STEM Forum, taking place in Prague in November 2026, where they will present their project on stage and connect with an international network of students, experts, and innovators.
Girls Go STEM Student Challenge Benefits
- Pitch your idea live on stage at our annual event
- Take part in hands-on workshops and mentoring sessions
- Connect with students from across Europe and engage with experts and innovators
- Flights, accommodation, airport transfers, and meals during the event are covered for up to 4 students and 1 teacher/mentor per team
Girls Go STEM Student Challenge Eligibility Criteria
- Motivated girls between 14 to 19 years old
- Each team must consist of 2 to 4 girls; individual participation is not allowed
- Teams can be formed across schools and countries (each team must register under a single country)
- Alumnae of the Girls Go STEM programme (successful completion of at least two introductory courses and one additional course)
How to Apply for Girls Go STEM Student Challenge
- Complete two introductory courses and one additional course (e.g. on Space Debris) on the learning platform
- Form a team of two to four girls and download the slide deck
- Create your design (drawing or simple 3D) and add it, together with an explanation, to the slide deck
- Create a video presenting your idea convincingly (max. 1 minute)
- Every participant fills out the consent form; if a minor, the form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Merge all consent forms into one single PDF
- Complete the application form with all required details and submit it by 27 July 2026, 13:00 CET
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Girls Go STEM Student Challenge. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
Who can participate?
The competition is open to girls aged 14 to 19 who are ready to collaborate in a team setting. Each team must consist of two to four members; individual participation is not permitted. Teams may be formed across schools, and international collaborations are encouraged. However, each team must register under one country. All participants must be alumnae of the Girls Go STEM programme, having completed at least two introductory courses and one additional course.
Can I participate if I have already graduated from high school?
The Student Challenge is open to girls aged 14–19 who are currently in secondary school or have recently graduated but not yet started higher education (university or equivalent). If you have already enrolled in higher education, you are unfortunately not eligible to participate. This is to ensure a level playing field for all teams.
From which countries can participants apply?
Applications are open to participants from the following countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK, and Ukraine.
Can a teacher or mentor support our team?
Yes, each team can be supported by one teacher or mentor. If your team is selected for the final in-person event, you must travel with one accompanying adult. A second teacher may attend but their costs must be covered by the school. For full details, download the Student Challenge Rules & Guidelines.
I completed the challenge in the Space Debris course, does that count as applying to the Student Challenge?
Not quite! The challenge activity inside the Space Debris course on our learning platform is part of completing the course itself. The Girls Go STEM Student Challenge 2026 is a separate, Europe-wide competition where teams of 2–4 girls develop a solution to a real space problem, create a design, and submit a slide deck and a short video. To participate, you need to submit a separate application via the form on this page.
What does our submission need to include?
Each team must submit: a slide deck presenting your idea (including your design and an explanation of your material choices and what would happen if the component failed), a short video of maximum 1 minute presenting your idea, and consent forms for all participants merged into one PDF. The submission must be in English; applications in other languages will not be considered.
Is a consent form required?
Yes, a signed consent form is mandatory for each participant. If any participant is a minor, the form must be signed by their legal guardian. This is required because submissions are shared with external evaluators. You can decide if giving consent for your video to be published on the initiative’s official channels, in case of being selected as a finalist.
How does the selection process work?
The competition has three stages: National level – volunteer evaluators from the space field review all applications and select one national winner per country; European level – Girls Go STEM staff rank all national winners and select up to 24 teams to attend the in-person event; On-site event – the top 3 teams pitch live to a jury of experts, who select the 1st place winner.
How many teams go to the final event?
A maximum of 24 national winning teams will be invited to the in-person flagship event. The final number depends on budget availability and the overall quality of applications.
Where and when is the EIT Women and Girls in STEM Forum?
The event will take place in Prague in November 2026. The exact location and date are still to be confirmed, stay tuned for updates.
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