FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix, Opole 21.10.2026 - Rakesh Gowdihalli Nagarajappa represents JYU
The FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix science communication competition is being held for the third time, this time in Opole, Poland. The event brings together talented young researchers from across the FORTHEM alliance to network, learn and be inspired.
The competition has its roots in the Norwegian tradition of ‘Forskningsdagene’ (Science Days). It was incorporated into the FORTHEM collaboration following a proposal from the University of Agder. The first international final was held in Kristiansand, Norway, in 2024, and in 2025 the competition took place in Dijon, France.
Participants are selected for the final through local semi-finals. In Jyväskylä, the semi-final was held in Business Networkind Day on 8 November 2026. In the international final, participants present their own research in such a way that the topics are explained clearly and engagingly, even to an audience outside their own field of science.
The finalists will compete for the FORTHEM Grand Prix title. Both the judging panel and the audience have a say in selecting the winner. Whether you attend the event in person in Opole, follow it from another FORTHEM university or watch it online, you have the chance to vote for your favourite researcher!
FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix finalists 2026
- Ådne Ausland – University of Agder, Norway
Developing an educational programme to help coaches better understand and support female athletes. - Federico Piccolo – University of Palermo, Italy
Exploring how Italian-speaking students learn Russian verbs of motion and how language teaching can be improved. - Marta Arnal Forné – University of Valencia, Spain
Investigating healthy ageing and new approaches in regenerative medicine. - Sandra Anna Schwarz – Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
Researching personalised approaches to treating depression using non-invasive brain stimulation. - Leya Liu – Université Bourgogne Europe, France
Developing gold-based nanosensors to detect harmful bacterial endotoxins. - Weronika Koston – University of Oppio, Poland
Exploring how European regions cooperate across borders and what makes international partnerships effective. - Rakesh Gowdihalli Nagarajappa – University of Jyväskylä, Finland
Developing catalytic materials to support green hydrogen production and more sustainable chemical technologies. - Dan Boldea – Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania
Exploring how real-life conversations and personal stories can be transformed into theatrical performances through verbatim theatre. - Aija Makovska – University of Latvia, Latvia
Investigating early age-related changes in the eye’s ability to focus at different distances, with the aim of improving early detection and personalised vision care.
Follow the event live
The competition takes place on Wednesday 21 October, starting at 18:00 Central European Time (19:00pm Finnish time). Watch the live stream here! (YouTube)
