EUCYS (European Union Contest for Young Scientists) is an annual European competition for young scientists (14 to 20 years old) coming from 40 countries (mainly from Europe but also USA, China and Japan. The 21st EUCYS finishes today. It is taking place for the first time in Paris at the Palais de la découverte which has been educating scientists for generations. Students have been competing for prizes totalling 51.500 € as well as some very attractive special donated prizes from Eiroforum and EPO.

This contest Was created for the EU 21 years ago to promote the ideals of co-operation and interchange between young scientists. The Contest is an annual showcase of the best of European student scientific achievement, giving students the opportunity to compete with the best of their contemporaries. Young scientists also have the chance to meet others with similar abilities and interests, and to be guided by some of the most prominent scientists. In this way, the European Union Contest for Young Scientists aspires to attract young people to careers in science and technology.

The Commission provides funding for up to 100% of the "core" activities and shares the organisational tasks with a national host organiser which changes every year. This annual initiative aims to boost the enthusiasm of science students to foster their talents and to follow careers in science and technology. All participants have already won prestigious science awards in their home countries, making this international contest one of the toughest competitions for young scientists in the world.

The Commission has already demonstrated its interest in international research by funding several activities from the 7FP.

The EU Contest for Young Scientists is part of the Science and Society activities managed by the Directorate-General for Research of the European Commission. Within the Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, and the European Research Area, Science and Society aims to build a more harmonious relationship between scientific endeavour and the European society at large.

The 21st edition of the contest is open to journalists. In collaboration with the French national organiser, the young contestants has participated in various activities, visited the French capital attended a round table at La Sorbonne with eminent scientific personalities.

The EU Contest jury consists of a President and 16 other members, all of them leading scientists, from both academia and industry. The Contest will end tonight with the Awards Ceremony announcing the winners of EUCYS 2009 followed by a press conference with the presence of Mr Luc Chatel, ministry of French National Education and Jean-Michel Baer, Director in the Directorate General Research of the European Commission.