A physics contest for students aged 16 and over: a team of 5 or more writes a proposal for an experiment on a particle beam and the best five run it at CERN, DESY or ELSA at the organisers' expense. In 2026 there were 712 proposals from 89 countries. The 2027 edition is not announced yet; the date in the database is a guide from 2026's (13 March).
CERN, DESY y la Universidad de Bonn (ELSA)· Beamline for Schools (CERN, DESY, ELSA)
Taking part is free. Five winning teams run their experiment in August at CERN, DESY or ELSA; the organisers cover the winners' full costs: travel, accommodation and three meals a day. Everyone with an eligible proposal gets a participation certificate
The exact date for the new cycle has not been announced yet. This is last year's deadline
One-off
Cycle: 2027
Beamline for Schools is a physics competition from CERN, DESY and the University of Bonn (ELSA) for pupils aged 16 and over: a team of five or more with an adult coach writes a proposal for an experiment on a particle beam. Experts assess the proposals, the best teams are shortlisted and win extra prizes, and five win and carry out their experiment in August at CERN, DESY or ELSA.
Participation is free; organisers fully pay winners' participation: travel, accommodation and three meals a day. Everyone with an accepted proposal gets a certificate. School pupils or those between school and university can take part; you must be 16 on the day of submission (younger ones take part anonymously or with parental consent). The 2027 edition “will be announced soon” and the 12 March 2027 date in the record is a guide.
Checking against your answers…
Where to go and what to do, step by step
Check the conditions: you are in school or in the gap between school and university; you need to be 16 on the proposal day (younger students take part anonymously or with parental consent but cannot travel).
Gather a team of at least five (from different classes, schools or countries) and find an adult coach: the coach submits the proposal.
Pre-register the team beforehand on the “How to take part” page to receive news.
Devise an experiment for a particle beam and read the proposal-writing rules on “Proposal guidelines” and in the FAQ.
The coach submits a written proposal (and optionally a video) by the deadline: in 2026 13 March, 23:59 CEST; the 2027 edition is not announced yet and the date in the database is a guide.
A jury evaluates proposals (712 from 89 countries in 2026); five winning teams run their experiments in August at CERN, DESY or ELSA.
Documents and materials to attach to the application.
Example (written by us): Ana and five classmates with their physics teacher as coach devise an experiment on electrons' energy loss in different materials, write the proposal and film a one-minute video; the coach submits it a few days before the deadline.
An example we wrote to illustrate: it is not an official sample, replace the details with your own.
Experts evaluate the proposals; the best teams are shortlisted and get extra prizes, five win and travel to run their experiments. There are also prizes for the best videos and outreach proposals.
Taking part is free. Winners travel to CERN, DESY or ELSA in August: the organisers pay travel, lodging and three meals a day. Everyone with an eligible proposal gets a participation certificate.
Guide checked against the official pages: 9 October 2026. Guide written from official sources. Details may change: check them on the application page.
A letter template and a checklist to review before sending. If a local model is running on your computer, the text reads more naturally.
“Each team has to have at least 5 members and has to be represented by an adult coach.”
Experience from people who have already applied. These are user opinions and are not verified by the organiser.
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This information is for guidance only. Conditions change every year — check them on the provider's official website before applying.
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