Terms & Conditions

• The World Competition is open for all innovative ideas related to different applied sciences and technology disciplines.
• Projects must be registered through a national fair or a well-recognized organization/authority/university/school from each country.
• Each organization/authority/national fair/school/university of each country can register unlimited number of projects.
• Each organization/authority/national fair/school/university of each country must register 3 focal points on the online registration system.
• Finalists are youth aged 15 to 25 from public/private schools (Grade 9-12) and universities (undergraduates) from across the world who are invited to participate in the competition
• Finalists can participate in individual and team projects as per below:
  • A maximum of three finalists can make up each team in the schools category.
  • A maximum of four finalists can make up a team in universities category
• In addition to the finalists, each organization/authority/national fair/school/university of each country can register one head of delegation and one adult in charge if participating with more than 2 projects. In case of participation with one or two projects only, the organization/authority/national fair/school/university can register one delegate only acting as head of delegation and adult in charge.
• Each Finalist can participate with one project only.
• Limited number of projects from across the world will be selected to compete
• A detailed comprehensive abstract and project plan with clear objectives, methodology, and outcomes must be submitted online (the number of participating projects is limited).
• Redundant, weak or repeated projects will not be accepted, and as such the project proposal must be written carefully to successfully qualify for the competition.
• Online registration for affiliation is open from September 10, 2019
• Deadline for full project registration and evidence submission is end of January, 2020.
• Projects’ submissions must include evidence for having complete research with results, a working and fully tested prototype, and/or research end product before end of January, 2020.
• Registration deadline for Finalist(s), Head of Delegates and Adult in charge is end of January, 2020. (T&C applies)
• Successfully qualifying projects and finalists will be invited to participate in the final stage at the Think Science World Competition during the Think Science World Fair, which will be held in Dubai on 18-23 April 2020.
• Think Science - Emirates Foundation will provide hotel accommodation on shared-rooms basis for the finalists, one head of delegation, and one adult in charge (T&C applies), and only during the event days. Any extra accommodation and expenses related to extra nights or rooms must be covered directly by the participating entity/organization with the focal point from the hotel
• Each organization/authority/national fair/school/university of each country can register one head of delegation and one adult in charge if participating with more than 2 projects and their accommodation expenses will be covered by Think Science - Emirates Foundation during the event days. In case of participation with one or two projects only, Think Science - Emirates Foundation will only cover the accommodation expenses for one delegate acting as head of delegation and adult in charge
• Finalists representing the UAE are only nominated through Think Science and NSTI National Competitions.
• All students/finalists are under their supervisors’ responsibility (adult in charge and/or head of delegation from each affiliated organization/authority/national fair/school/university), where the supervisor(s) confirms that he/she has the full permission of the legal guardian of the student/finalists that he/she registers to participate in the Think Science World Competition, and that they will be under his/her full responsibility and supervision at all times, during travel, workshops, setup and exhibition days, and during any of the program’s activities. Think Science - Emirates Foundation holds no responsibility on supervising those students/finalists. The supervisor(s) agrees that he/she read the Participant’s Release and Waiver of Liability Form (available on the registration system) and agrees to its terms and conditions on behalf of his/her registered students/finalists with their legal guardian's consent

• A representative from the national fair/well-recognized organization/authority/school/university from each country must complete the affiliation process, and he will be the main focal point
• Project registration and evidence submissions must be finalized before end of January, 2020.
• Evidence for a working and fully tested prototype and/or end product of the research includes:
  • The project’s scientific report with results
  • A minimum of 3 photos for the project from different angles, show all details of the project
  • One clear photo showing all team members
  • A video for the project showing the working prototype and/or end product
• Registration deadline for Finalist(s), Head of Delegates and Adult in charge (T&C applies) is end of January, 2020
• Finalists commit to attending the 6 days event that will be held in Dubai on 18-23 April 2020 (exact agenda, and timings will be announced later)

• Each delegate (finalist, head of delegation, and adult in charge) should provide / upload a digital copy of the following when filling in the proposal application form (in .jpg, .gif, .pdf format)
  • Valid Passport copy
  • Passport size formal photo
  • Maximum size of each document (750 KB)
• The final list of finalists (teams and individuals) are required to sign and submit a copy of the participation agreement (scan and upload on the system), in addition to submitting the original hardcopy upon arrival to the Think Science World Fair 2020. The agreement will be sent to all accepted projects via email by February 17, 2020.

• Interactive scientific models, prototypes, systems and devices that serve a community benefit and use the scientific methodology with practical experiments in different applied science and technology disciplines.
• Highly recommended field preferences include Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Aerodynamics, Water Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, Food Security, Health and Bioinformatics, Systems for the Determined Ones (special needs) ect.
• Practical researches that are directly linked to a community benefit and solve a problem, but should have clear and tangible end products
• We welcome Research/Study that might not be directly linked to a community benefit through an end-product, and might not provide a direct solution for a problem, or might not have a tangible end product, however; it provides breakthrough results/outcomes in the field of study

• Theoretical Research projects (e.g. What causes a car accident in the UAE etc.)
• Research/Study that is not directly linked to a community benefit through an end-product, or does not provide a direct solution for a problem, or does not have a tangible end product, and does not provide breakthrough results/outcomes in the field of study (e.g. The effect of mercury residues on an embryos’ development, The effect of light intensity on plants’ growth and etc)
• Theoretical Research/Study (e.g. A study about H1N1 Virus but does not provide end product like inhibitors or cure medicine and etc.)
• Surveys
• Static Models (e.g. Volcanoes, the Solar System, etc.)
• Conventional Biofuel and Biogas production
• Conventional Solar Energy Projects (Solar Fridge, Solar Car, Solar Oven, etc.)
• Conventional Recycling Projects (Using Electronic Wastes to make jewelries and accessories)
• Projects that can be tested in lab to proof efficiency, but was tested only by simulators.
• Conventional Renewable Energy Projects (Wind Generators, Hydroelectric power, Kinetic energy projects…etc.)

Think Science General Judging criteria focus the below

• Project concept is innovative and/or it provides breakthrough results/outcomes in the field of study
• Project concept is original and chosen by student him/herself
• Project is sustainable and uses natural material readily available
• Project contributes to solving a community or environmental issue
• Project can be developed and commercialized
• Research followed scientific methodology and gad clear plan, objectives, and hypotheses
• Project contributes to student’s understanding of the different scientific and practical aspects
• Project is implemented by student him/herself
• Final product is cost effective and feasible
• Project promotes student’s teamwork skills (for team projects)

• All finalists will receive Participation Certificates
• Grand Awards will be announced on the last day of the fair
• School Projects:
  • 1st place Award - Zayed Award for Scientific Innovation
  • 2nd place Award
  • 3rd place Award
• University Projects:
  • 1st place Award - Zayed Award for Scientific Innovation
  • 2nd place Award
• All members of winning projects will receive Winning Certificates
• Winning projects will be awarded with cash prize

• An external committee will be convened to assess the best-presented projects at the Think Science World Competition.
• Scientists, engineers and professionals from higher education (PhD holders specialized in science and engineering) are invited to apply as judge, volunteering to evaluate the innovative science projects competing at the International Level in the Think Science World Competition in April 2020.
• Judges volunteer their time and pay their own travel expenses however accommodation & meals are covered during event days for international attending judges.
• Applicants should be:
  • Fluent English Speakers
  • Mastering a second language is preferable
  • Specialized in any field of science, engineering, and technology (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robots, Smart Systems, Safety Systems, Applied Physics, Applied Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Biology, and Biomedical and Health Sciences and etc.)

The below are prohibited during the fair, judging, and project display:
• Using water, gas, fire, smoke, all chemicals, dry ice or other sublimating solids.
• All hazardous substances or devices (Example: poisons, drugs, firearms, weapons)
• Microorganisms, animals, any living organisms, waste samples, preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and human or animal food.
• Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine).
• Items that may have contained or been in contact with hazardous chemicals.
• Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, pipettes, knives).
• Flames or highly flammable materials (including magnified light sources).
• Any apparatus/part deemed unsafe by the Scientific Review Committee.
• In case the project requires the use of such materials/procedures, the finalists should video and photo record their working prototype and experimental research steps in a safe and secured lab conditions, and use the footage to display their project during the Think Science World Competition.

• Accommodation will be provided as per below (T&C applies):
  • Finalist – shared room basis
  • Head of delegation – 1 single room
  • Adult in charge – 1 single room
• Each organization/authority/national fair /school/university of each country can register one head of delegation and one adult in charge if participating with more than two projects.
• In case of participation with one or two project only, accommodation expenses will only be covered for one delegate acting as head of delegation and adult in charge.
• Accommodation will only be provided during event dates.
• Deadline for hotel booking needed for delegates during Think Science World Competition and Fair 2020 is February 23, 2020 (T&C Applies)
• Any cancelation, modification after March 10, or in case of no-show, the total price of the reservation will be charged
• Any extra accommodation and expenses related to extra nights or rooms must be covered directly by the participating entity/organization with the focal point from the hotel.

• Transportation will only be provided to participants between Hotels and the fair venue with a fixed schedule to follow (only for participants who are provided with the hotel)
• All competition participants not staying at the hotels provided by Think Science should arrange for their own transportation to come to the Fair and departure every day (Setup, Judging and 3 Exhibition days)
• Participants should arrange for their own transportation from and to the airport upon arrival and departure
• During the fair, Breakfast and Dinner will be provided for participants at the Hotel (Hotel Residents only) (finalists, head of delegation, and adult in charge) Lunch will be provided at the fair venue for all participants (finalists, head of delegation, and adult in charge).
• All the above excludes other companions and/or family members.

• Flights will not be provided by Think Science – Emirates Foundation.
• It is the sole responsibility of the finalist, adult in charge and head of delegation, and/or well recognized organization/authority/national fair/School/University of each country to secure flights to the event for their delegates as per announced dates.

• The procedure to obtain a visa to the UAE is dependent on the country of the request.
• For those who are required to obtain a UAE visa:
  • Kindly contact the Embassy or UAE Consulate in your country to obtain details of the documents required to process a visa application.
  • In the case that a UAE embassy or consulate is not available in your country, please contact to the closest UAE consulate to your country.
  • Finalists will receive an invitation letter to support their visa application as soon as their registration is finalized through the Think Science World Competition online registration system.
  • It is the sole responsibility of the finalist, adult in charge and head of delegation to secure their visa on time and for providing all required documents to obtain it.
  • Think Science will not be responsible if a finalist does not receive their visa in time to travel.

• The Think Science World Competition and Think Science World Fair 2020 will be held in Dubai on 18-23 April, 2020.