Youth and Science

• Students who have finished their 4th year of compulsory secondary school (ESO) by June 2020 (ages 15-16).
• Studying at a secondary school in Catalonia, either public, private or publicly-subsidised private schools.
• Strong academic record, which must come with motivation, interest and excitement at participating in the programme. We are looking for young people who not only have great marks but are also keenly interested in scientific research.
• Good level of oral and written English. English is the language of science, and therefore it is essential  to achieve mastery of it during the three years that the programme lasts.
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills.
• Intention of pursuing a scientific and/or technological baccalaureate. We are looking for young people with talent, curiosity and motivation in the sciences, and with the goal of specialising in this field of knowledge.
• Commitment to make the most of the opportunities offered by the Youth and Science Programme for the three years it lasts.

The entire registration process takes place online via the programme website. No documents sent by post or email will be accepted. 

Each school may submit a maximum of three students. If more than three candidates are received from the same school, all the school's candidates will automatically be eliminated. 

Please note! Please contact us if your school has four or more ESO tracks.
The following are needed for candidates to be considered:

• Online submission of the authorisation form with the information on the student's parent or legal guardian.
• Online submission of the registration form filled out by the candidate. 
• The online confidential recommendation of the student's science, maths or technology teacher.
• The online confidential recommendation of the student’s tutor, head of studies or school director. 
• Candidates who do not provide all the documentation online will be excluded from the selection process

Submitting the application form does not guarantee direct admission into the Youth and Science Programme. All the candidacies submitted will be part of the selection process.

 REGISTRATION PROCESS 

A jury chosen by the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation will propose the shortlisted candidates who will go on to the second phase in the selection process. All the candidacies received will be individually evaluated. The information and documentation provided by each candidate will be evaluated in the selection process, including:

• The student’s answers to the questions on the registration form, including the letter of interest.
• Confidential recommendations from the school: a teacher in the field of science, maths or technology; and the tutor, head of studies or school director.
• English level.
• Academic record.
• Motivation and a desire to participate in scientific research experiences. 

The candidates who pass the first selection phase and are shortlisted will go on to the personal interview phase, which will be held on 24 and 25 April 2020 (dates pending confirmation).

Notification of the final selection will be sent in the first half of May 2020. 
A total of fifty students will be chosen from all the candidates who apply. The selection will be based on the project chosen; ten students will be chosen for each project proposed for the scientific stays at MónNatura Pirineus. 
All communication shall take place via email. 
The selected students will join the first phase of the programme, the scientific stays at MónNatura Pirineus, from 23 June to 5 July 2020. Later, in the summer of 2021, they may join the second phase of the programme, the research centre stays, if they meet the entrance requirements (taking and passing the assessment of a scholarly article and being enrolled in a scientific and/or technological baccalaureate programme). The next summer, 2022, they may join the last phase, the International research stays. 

The jury’s selection decision may not be appealed.

PHASE 1 | Scientific stays at MónNatura Pirineus

The total cost of the scientific stays at MónNatura Pirineus is approximately 2,200 euros per student, and the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation will finance around 80% of this amount. Therefore, each student chosen will have to pay 600 euros. The total cost includes: overnight stays and meals for the student at MónNatura Pirineus from 23 June to 5 July 2020; the materials used in the research project; transport to and from the centre; activities; fees for researchers and support staff; accident and liability insurance.
Payment must be made during the first week of June once the candidates have been chosen. Payments may be made in instalments, if needed. Candidates who do not make this payment by the deadline will be excluded from the programme.
The Youth and Science Programme bases the selection process on the qualities of the candidates. The Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation is committed to giving youth opportunities and not letting any student selected miss the programme for monetary reasons; therefore, we can study the possibility of awarding scholarships to candidates who can provide documentation proving that they cannot afford the registration cost. To request a scholarship, please contact us once you have been chosen as a candidate.

PHASE 2 and 3 | Research centre stays and international research stays

For the stays at local research centres, the Youth and Science Programme covers the training and materials used by the student during the research stay, as well as accident and liability insurance. The travel, accommodation and meal expenses are not covered by the programme and must be paid by the participants.
If the student is participating in an international science stay or programme, the Youth and Science Programme will cover the expenses of registration in the programme, which sometimes also includes accommodation and meals. The travel, health insurance and international visa expenses are not covered by the programme and must be paid by the participants.

Application to the programme entails acceptance of these conditions. Any aspect not explicitly outlined shall be determined by the Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation.