Secondary school students across Waterford are being encouraged to submit their ideas for the 2027 Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

Applications have opened for next year’s competition, which will take place at the RDS in Dublin from January 6th to 9th.

Students can enter projects across five categories, covering biological and ecological science, chemical, physical and mathematical science, health and wellbeing, social and behavioural science and technology.

The prize fund has been increased by 25% for 2027, with more than 200 prizes available and €10,000 going to the overall winner or winners.

Additional travel support is also being provided to schools taking part in the exhibition, with the overall bursary rising to €150,000 to help with transport and accommodation costs.

A new programme is also being introduced for the students behind the four highest-awarded projects.

They will receive mentoring from experts in academia and industry before travelling to San Francisco, where they will visit technology companies and present their projects at Stripe Sessions.

Last year’s exhibition attracted 3,670 entries, with 550 projects ultimately selected to take part.

Students interested in entering must submit an online application and a one-page project proposal by September 25th.

Finalists will be announced on October 23rd ahead of the exhibition in January.