Festival of Young Thinkers and Scientists Program (Iran and Brazil)

Deadline: 07-Oct-2026

The Festival of Young Thinkers and Scientists supports young innovators and startup teams in basic sciences by providing financial assistance, expert consulting, educational services, and commercialization opportunities. Organized annually in Iran with support from the Jamili Science and Technology Foundation and academic and governmental institutions, the program is particularly focused on young innovators aged 14 to 23 with scientific ideas, laboratory projects, or early-stage startups. The Festival of Young Thinkers and Scientists is an annual national and international event in Iran designed to identify and support scientific and creative ideas developed by young people. The festival provides a platform where participants can present innovative concepts and projects while receiving support to develop their ideas and explore opportunities for commercialization. The initiative is organized with the support of the Jamili Science and Technology Foundation and in collaboration with leading academic and governmental institutions. The program encourages participation from young individuals and startup teams working on innovative ideas in the basic sciences.

Particular attention is given to the next generation of innovators aged 14 to 23 years

Participants can apply either as individual idea developers or as startup teams, depending on the development stage of their idea or project. The festival supports ideas and projects across a broad range of basic science disciplines, including: Applicants should demonstrate a clear scientific or innovative dimension within their proposed idea or project. Participants can apply through different categories according to the stage of their idea or business. The Idea Developers section is intended for participants whose work is still at an early development stage. Eligible ideas may be at the stage of: This category provides an opportunity for young innovators to present early-stage scientific ideas and receive support for further development. The Startup category is designed for new business owners who have already developed their scientific idea into an early-stage business venture.

Applicants in this category must:

The category provides a pathway for young entrepreneurs to develop their products and explore commercialization opportunities. The festival welcomes startup teams as well as individual participants.

Teams must be:

A team should have the skills and knowledge necessary to develop and present its proposed scientific or commercial project. Winners in the Idea Generators section and leading startup teams can receive several forms of support from the Jamili Science and Technology Foundation.

Support includes:

These benefits are intended to help promising scientific ideas progress from early development toward further development and potential market entry. One of the key objectives of the festival is to help promising scientific ideas move beyond the concept or laboratory stage. Selected participants can receive credit and other forms of support for the further development and commercialization of their ideas and projects. This creates a pathway for young scientists and entrepreneurs to connect scientific innovation with practical applications and potential market opportunities. The program combines financial support with non-financial assistance. Rather than focusing only on competition or recognition, the festival provides selected participants with consulting and educational services that can help them continue developing their scientific or entrepreneurial work. For selected ideas and projects, additional credit may also be provided for development and commercialization. Participants should clearly communicate the scientific value and development stage of their idea.

Before applying, applicants should:

It is an annual national and international event in Iran that identifies and supports young people’s scientific and creative ideas and provides opportunities for further development and commercialization. The festival welcomes young individuals and startup teams working on innovative ideas and projects in basic sciences. It gives particular attention to innovators aged 14 to 23. The program covers chemistry, physics, geology, biological sciences, mathematics, statistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, and related disciplines. The Idea Developers category is intended for participants whose ideas are at the stage of an initial concept, scientific evaluation, or laboratory sample. Startup applicants must be new business owners with less than 42 months of experience and must have a minimum viable product (MVP). Teams can consist of one to four members and must be cohesive and have the expertise needed for their project. Winners in the Idea Generators section and top startup teams can receive financial support, a festival statue, a plaque of appreciation, and consulting and educational services. Yes. Selected ideas and projects can receive additional credit for further development and commercialization. The provided program information describes participation by young individuals and startup teams rather than limiting participation exclusively to students. The festival aims to identify scientific and creative ideas in basic science fields and help promising young innovators develop their concepts, projects, and potential commercial applications. The Festival of Young Thinkers and Scientists provides a platform for young scientists, innovators, and early-stage startup teams to present scientific ideas and develop them toward practical applications. With financial assistance, consulting and educational services, recognition, and commercialization support, the program creates opportunities for young innovators—particularly those aged 14 to 23—to advance ideas in basic sciences and related fields. For more information, visit Jamili Science and Technology Foundation.