Full Description

The CERN Physics Competition is an international scientific opportunity where high school students collaborate to design and submit a real experimental physics proposal.

Selected teams may earn the chance to travel to CERN in Geneva and conduct their experiment using professional particle beam facilities under the guidance of leading scientists.

This is not a typical academic competition — participants engage in authentic scientific research, working as a team to explore advanced topics in particle physics, detector technology, and experimental design.

Key Dates

• Team Application / Selection Phase: Ongoing

• Preparation & Research Period: ~2 weeks (intensive work)

• Final Submission Deadline: Depends on the specific CERN program (commonly March–April)

• Results Announcement: Typically mid-year

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be high school students (usually aged 15–19).

• Demonstrate a strong interest in physics and problem-solving.

• Be comfortable with mathematics (calculus is an advantage).

• Be able to commit seriously during the preparation period.

• Work effectively in a team environment.

• Be motivated by learning and scientific exploration.

Preferred Skills (Not Required)

• Programming (especially Python)

• Scientific research or project experience

• Physics Olympiad background

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

• Scientific writing and communication

Financial Aid

For selected teams (depending on the specific CERN program, such as Beamline for Schools):

• Fully funded trip to CERN in Switzerland

• Accommodation and meals during the experiment period

• Access to world-class scientific facilities

• Mentorship from CERN physicists and engineers

Benefits

• Conduct a real physics experiment at one of the world’s leading research centers

• Gain hands-on experience in experimental physics and data analysis

• Develop advanced teamwork, research, and problem-solving skills

• Strengthen university and scholarship applications

• Join a global network of young scientists and innovators

How to Apply

1. Apply or get selected into a local team participating in the competition.

2. Collaborate with teammates to:

   • Develop a research question

   • Design an experiment methodology

   • Write a scientific proposal

3. Submit the final proposal to CERN’s official competition platform.

4. Shortlisted teams may be invited for further evaluation.

5. Final winners are selected to perform their experiment at CERN.