Tag Archives: STEM Students

INTERSWITCHSPAK NATIONAL SCIENCE COMPETITION 8.0

Application Deadline: 11:59pm, Friday, 22nd May 2026

LOCATION: Nigeria

InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition 8.0 for secondary school students in Nigeria is now on. Registration of your students is open till 11:59pm, Friday, 22nd May 2026, and it is FREE.

ELIGIBILITY:

Schools are now allowed to register up to Twenty (20) SS2 Science Students each

You don’t need to travel to write the qualifying examination. The examination is fully online and can be written in your school, home or any convenient space.

Online CBT exams will be held from Tuesday, 9th to 16th June 2026, from 8am to 5pm daily. You have the chance to choose the day and time that best suits you to write the examination, and you have two (2) trials.

Mixed schools are required to register at least two (2) female students among the twenty (20) students registered.

This competition is open to students in SS2 (Year 11) between the ages of 14 and 17 who are enrolled in full-time secondary education in both public and private schools across Nigeria. Participation is completely FREE. To improve chances of advancing to the second round, each school is encouraged to present up to twenty (20) science students in SS2, regardless of religion, tribe, or state of origin. The examination will be conducted online.

Exam Format & Conduct: Only students registered online via http://www.interswitchspak.com can participate. Candidates may use a computer or smartphone with a stable internet connection, a camera, and audio peripherals enabled as prompted. Calculators are allowed, and students may use statistical tables. Candidates must take the test individually without assistance. Technical Rules A stable internet connection is required. If there is a delay in page loading, avoid refreshing to prevent system logout. The exam is monitored remotely, and any flagged irregularities may result in disqualification. Candidates must not switch tabs, minimize the exam window, or open other applications. Doing so three times will result in automatic log-out. Notifications and pop-ups must be disabled to prevent disruptions. Candidates must not use browser navigation buttons (Back, Refresh, or Forward). Using them repeatedly may result in log-out. Exam Attempts & Submission Each candidate has two attempts, and the higher score will be recorded. If a candidate accepts their first attempt’s score, they forfeit the second attempt. If time runs out before submission, the system will automatically submit the highest recorded score. Misconduct & Disqualification Cheating, impersonation, or external assistance will lead to disqualification. Candidates should not attempt to manipulate the system by tampering with settings. The organizers’ decisions are final and will not be subject to further review.

BENEFIT:

First Prize: The first prize winner will get a five (5) year University Scholarship and Annual stipend worth ₦15,000,000 (Fifteen million Naira). Brand New Laptop. Bragging right of being the best Science student in Nigeria.

Second Prize: The second prize winner will get a five (5) year University Scholarship and Annual stipend worth ₦10,000,000 (Ten million Naira). Brand New Laptop.

Third Prize: The third prize will get a five (5) year University Scholarship worth ₦5,000,000 (Five million Naira) + Brand New Laptop.

APPLY

MOHAMED BIN ZAYED UNIVERSITY OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (UGRIP)

Application Opens: January 1, 2026 (8 a.m. GST); Deadline: February 28, 2026 (5 p.m. GST)

LOCATION: United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Launched in 2023, the Undergraduate Research Internship Program (UGRIP) is our flagship experiential AI research internship for undergraduates worldwide. Applications for the 2026 program will open on January 1, 2026, and it will be held from Sunday, 31 May, to Friday, 26 June 2026.

UGRIP offers a chance to advance your research career, connect with some of the brightest minds in AI, and experience life in the UAE.

What you can expect:

Fully funded, four-week residency at their Abu Dhabi campus

Mentorship and guidance from top faculty

Collaboration with high-caliber students from the UAE and abroad

Opportunities to build a strong professional network

The program has quickly become one of the most competitive and sought-after immersive AI undergraduate research experiences. In 2025, nearly 2000 students applied, with only 4% accepted. More than 130 interns have participated so far, representing leading global institutions such as the Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Indian Institutes of Technology, and Monterrey Institute of Technology.

ELIGIBILITY:

Undergraduate students in the penultimate year of a STEM-related major and graduating after August 2026

Minimum CGPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent

Enrolment letter from the university registrar showing admission date, program duration, and expected graduation date

Official academic transcript listing all courses, grades, and credit hours

Proof of English proficiency through a valid certificate of any of the following:

IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.5

TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 90

PTE Academic: Minimum overall score of 60

Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum 180

Cambridge C2 Proficiency: Minimum score 200 (meets and exceeds required proficiency)

Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 120. (Accepted only where IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge access is limited. A mandatory interview is required. Evidence of limited access to other tests may be requested.)

OR an official letter from the University registrar confirming English is the medium of instruction

Valid color passport copy (minimum one year validity)

Statement of purpose essay, including:

Motivation for applying

Personal and academic background and how it makes you suitable for the UGRIP

Stand-out achievements (e.g., awards, distinctions, etc.)

Goals as a prospective UGRIP participant

Preferred career path and plans

Any other relevant details that will support the application.

All documents must be in English or include certified translations. Academic documents must carry official stamps and signatures.

Please note: Exams must be administered at an approved physical test center. Home Edition exams are not accepted.

BENEFIT:

A generous stipend

Accommodation

Visa, airfares, and airport transfers

Health insurance

Social and cultural activities

Access to MBZUAI’s student facilities

APPLY