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Competition
CERN (with partner facilities DESY and ELSA)

Beamline for Schools (BL4S)

Students submit a written proposal for an experiment on an actual particle-accelerator beamline. A team needs at least 5 members; up to 9 students per winning team are invited to run a student-led experiment at CERN, DESY or ELSA.

Official application Source

Interest areas

Particle Physics Experimental Physics Engineering Data Analysis STEM

Who it is for

  • In secondary school or a gap year before university
  • Aged 16+ on submission day (younger may join anonymously or with parental consent)
  • Teams of 5-9, worldwide

What students gain

  • All-expenses trip to a world-leading particle-physics centre
  • Run a real experiment
  • Mentorship from CERN scientists

Application steps

  1. Pre-register your team
  2. Read proposal guidelines and FAQs
  3. Submit your experiment proposal by 13 March 2026