Applications are now open for the UK’s first National STEM Festival, a nationwide search for young innovators ages 13–19.
40 students from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be selected as National STEM Champions and invited to showcase their projects during the Festival, taking place 5–10 May 2027 in London. Travel and accommodation will be fully funded for every Champion.
An additional highlight of the Festival is Open Build Weekend, a free, all-ages public experience where families, educators and industry leaders can meet the Champions, experience their projects firsthand and take part in hands-on activities — including challenges from Taskmaster Education, with additional programme partners to be announced.
The UK Festival marks the first international expansion of the National STEM Festival following three successful years in the United States. Powered by EXPLR, and supported by leading industry, academic and governing institutions, the UK edition is being developed to reflect the distinct experiences, opportunities and challenges facing young people throughout the four nations.
“This Festival will feel genuinely connected— built around the young people and communities across the UK. Extraordinary ideas can come from anywhere, but access to opportunity doesn’t. We want to find the next generation whose ideas deserve to be seen, supported and taken seriously,” said Jenny Buccos, Founder of the National STEM Festival. “At the same time, the Festival is about helping address some of the UK’s longer-term challenges — from the skills gap and youth unemployment to unlocking growth and innovation in communities across the UK.”
Students may submit projects addressing real-world challenges in four categories:
- Building & Infrastructure
- Health & Human Potential
- Technology, AI & Digital Futures
- Food, Planet & Sustainability
“Young people have the best ideas, but too often those ideas never reach beyond the home or the classroom,” said science broadcaster and author Dallas Campbell. “This Festival gives them a national stage with an audience of scientists, engineers, and industry leaders who understand the potential of a great idea. I cannot wait to see what the UK’s young innovators are already imagining and building.”
The nationwide search comes at an important moment for the UK. Skills England projects that priority occupations — jobs identified as particularly important to the UK’s skills needs — will require approximately 900,000 additional workers by 2030, a 15% increase and growth roughly 1.6 times faster than other occupations. By identifying, encouraging and connecting talented young innovators with STEM leaders and opportunities, the Festival aims to help inspire and prepare the next generation of the UK’s STEM workforce.
Festival week will take place across four London venues: the Houses of Parliament, The Shard, RSA House and the Leake Street Tunnels.
Applications will close on Sunday, 22 November 2026, with the Festival taking place on 5–10 May 2027.
HOW TO APPLY: Visit: https://www.nationalstemfestival.com/apply-uk-2027
Learn more The National STEM Festival UK
