International Natural Sciences Tournament

Every year bright young scientists gather at the International Natural Sciences Tournament (INST) to generate new scientific ideas and stand up for their own ideas during dynamic scientific polemics. The Tournament helps to form collaborations between participants, scientific experts, and industry. The main goal of the competition is to teach students how to apply their knowledge to solve current practical scientific and industrial problems.

What is INST and who can participate?

The INST is a team competition for current undergraduate students (any year of study) and students getting Bachelor’s or Master’s diplomas in the year the tournament takes place. Students should study one of the following specializations: Chemistry, Material Science, Physics, Biology, Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, Engineering, or related areas. The team should be supported by a coach, a person with a completed Master’s degree (graduated no later than mid-2023, otherwise he/she will not be able to participate as a Jury member) or higher. The team may consist of participants from different universities and countries.

Why do you need to participate in INST?

Serious science linked to modern worldwide challenges. We offer a wide range of tasks with real biological, medical, chemical, physical, and other challenges. Participants deepen their knowledge in natural sciences, improve their problem-solving skills, and enforce an image of science as a universal tool to solve modern societal issues.

Polemics. During INST, participants not only have to present and defend their task solutions but oppose the solutions of other teams. That way, students gain valuable experience in scientific discussions in a competitive way.

Networking. Throughout the Tournament, students have the opportunity to meet like-minded students, researchers, and industry representatives to form a supportive community and facilitate idea-sharing through countries and continents.

Watch the video about INST 2020 to see how it was then

How to participate?

The Tournament consists of the Extramural round, and the Grand final (or as it was called it Intramural round earlier). In each round, the team will solve a number of current industrial and scientific problems.

  • To participate in the Grand final of INST, the team should try its best and present clear and outstanding solutions to 2 out 3 the Extramural round problems (examples of the problems) in suggested formats via account. The deadlines for the Extramural round are usually at the end of April/early May for the first wave and mid-June for the second wave. The best teams will be selected for participation in the Grand final.
  • The team-winners of the Qualifying rounds of INST are invited to participate in the Grand final without taking part in the Extramural round. Qualifying rounds are the tournaments, which are held in different regions. Due to the day, the INST has the Qualifying round — Natural Sciences Tournament (CIS region).

Where is the INST held?

The Extramural round of INST is an online competition, the team just needs to submit their solutions of the Extramural round problems as is required.

The information about venues of the Qualifying rounds is published on their official web pages.

The Grand final of INST is held in different countries every year. The location for the Grand Final in 2025 will be announced later. To read more information about INST, please visit our About page.

What about organizing fees?

  • Participation in the Extramural round is free of charge.
  • The information about organizing fees of the Qualifying rounds is published on their official web pages.
  • The Organizing fee for the Grand final for teams of the first wave is usually ~1000 €, second wave - ~1200 €.

This will provide the organization of the Grand Final, including accommodation for team participants and their coach. Please, pay attention that the Organizing fee is not refunded.

Important documents

Please, check our framework documents to know more about our Tournament

More questions?

If you have any questions in regard to the presented information, please, visit our About page or contact us via email tournament@scitourn.com. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, and Instagram to get all the information first.

Our sponsors and partners

Our tournaments

November 7–11, 2024
Yerevan, Armenia
July 19–26, 2021
Online edition
February 6–12, 2020
Warsaw, Poland
February 1–6, 2019
Tallinn, Estonia
January 30–February 4, 2018
Agra, India
October 12–16, 2016
Novosibirsk, Russia
November 11–16, 2015
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
November 12–17, 2014
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
November 13–18, 2013
Saint-Petersburg, Russia