Student Challenge
Empowering students to turn ideas into impact
Join a global cohort of changemakers and present your ideas at ICSE 2026 in Thessaloniki.
What is the Student Challenge?
The ICSE International Student Challenge invites motivated university students from around the world to collaborate, exchange perspectives, and develop innovative project ideas with the potential to create positive impact across Europe and beyond. Working in international and interdisciplinary teams, participants will explore a real-world challenge connected to the themes of the ICSE Conference and transform their ideas into a structured European project concept.
Throughout the challenge, students will gain practical experience in project development, international teamwork, and the preparation of an EU-funded project application. With guidance from experienced academics, project professionals, and mentors, participants will learn how to define a project need, identify objectives and target groups, design activities, build partnerships, consider impact and sustainability, and present a convincing funding proposal. Selected students or teams will be invited to travel to Greece and present their project ideas during the ICSE Conference.
Universities That Joined the Challenge
KEY INFORMATION
Who can apply
Application format
Team structure
Challenge focus
Developing a European project idea and preparing the key elements of an EU-funded project application
Participation format
Online, and in-person final for selected participants.
Final presentation
During the ICSE Conference in Greece
Working language
English
Interdisciplinary backgrounds welcome!
Key Dates & SUBMISSION
Application Deadline: 25th September
Submission Contact
conference@icse-platform.eu
RESOURCES & Support Materials
Instructions for Students
Poster Creation Guidelines
Tips on Academic Poster Design
İZMİR KATİP ÇELEBİ UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHALLENGE
Students are challenged to make a case study and elaborate ideas into an abstract / project proposal, and can be invited to present during ICSE 2024 and consequently submit as poster
Recommendations for new (academic) poster creation here
Abstract & Poster Submission deadline: 18 November 2024
Postal / Courier delivery: 20 November 2024 during the ICSE conference
Exposition place: ICSE Plaza
NOTE
The ICSE 2024 scientific committee will select various poster ideas for which its authors are asked to briefly present and address Q&A’s during the conference plenary closure session.
If selected – Authors will be informed timely
Contact: Giannangelo Boccuzzi
Info & Submission: challenge@icse-platform.eu
JOHANNESBURG UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHALLENGE
Students are challenged to make a case study and elaborate ideas into an abstract / project proposal, and can be invited to present during ICSE 2024 and consequently submit as poster
Recommendations for new (academic) poster creation here
Abstract & Poster Submission deadline: 18 November 2024
Postal / Courier delivery: 20 November 2024 during the ICSE conference
Exposition place: ICSE Plaza
NOTE
The ICSE 2024 scientific committee will select various poster ideas for which its authors are asked to briefly present and address Q&A’s during the conference plenary closure session.
If selected – Authors will be informed timely
Contact: Giannangelo Boccuzzi
Info & Submission: challenge@icse-platform.eu
SAPIENZA’S STUDENT CHALLENGE
Students are challenged to make a case study and elaborate ideas into an abstract / project proposal, and can be invited to present during ICSE 2024 and consequently submit as poster
Recommendations for new (academic) poster creation here
Abstract & Poster Submission deadline: 18 November 2024
Postal / Courier delivery: 20 November 2024 during the ICSE conference
Exposition place: ICSE Plaza
NOTE
The ICSE 2024 scientific committee will select various poster ideas for which its authors are asked to briefly present and address Q&A’s during the conference plenary closure session.
If selected – Authors will be informed timely
Contact: Giannangelo Boccuzzi
Info & Submission: challenge@icse-platform.eu
WSEI STUDENT CHALLENGE
Students are challenged to make a case study and elaborate ideas into an abstract / project proposal, and can be invited to present during ICSE 2024 and consequently submit as poster
Recommendations for new (academic) poster creation here
Abstract & Poster Submission deadline: 22 November 2024
Postal / Courier delivery: 20 November 2024 during the ICSE conference
Exposition place: ICSE Plaza
NOTE
The ICSE 2024 scientific committee will select various poster ideas for which its authors are asked to briefly present and address Q&A’s during the conference plenary closure session.
If selected – Authors will be informed timely