Young Scholars Contest

This is a call for undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in contributing fresh, critical perspectives to one of Europe’s most pressing challenges: the renewal of its Social Contract. EXPRESS2 invites young scholars to reflect on democracy, pluralism, and institutional transformation in the European Union — and to share their ideas with an international audience of experts and policymakers.

Present your research at the EXPRESS² Midterm Conference

Are you an undergraduate or postgraduate student eager to contribute to the discourse on Europe's evolving social contract? Do you have insights into how we can craft a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable European Union?

The EXPRESS2 Young Scholars Contest invites students to engage critically with the concept of a new European Social Contract, reflecting on the rights and responsibilities of individuals and institutions within the EU framework. This is an opportunity to present your ideas to an international audience of scholars and policymakers.

Submit your abstract

What we’re looking for

We welcome abstracts (max. 300 words) that address themes central to the EXPRESS2 project, such as:

- Strategies for drafting and implementing a new European Social Contract

- The role of deliberation and participation in shaping EU policies

- Addressing disruptive elements like insecurity, populism, gender inequality, climate change, mistrust, digitalisation, and pandemics, and their impact on social cohesion

Participants must be formally enrolled undergraduate or postgraduate students at the time of submission. Although attending the EXPRESS2 Winter School is not required, previous participation will be considered positively during evaluation.

How to apply

  • Submit your abstract in English using the online form: https://forms.office.com/e/sAqfxw5xt1 
  • Include your name, institutional affiliation, degree programme, and current year of study
  • Deadline for submission (included): May 15, 2025
  • For questions or clarifications: info@express2project.eu

Suggested abstract structure

  1. Title
  2. Background and objectives
  3. Methodology / Approach
  4. Expected results or contribution
  5. Keywords (3–5)

Selection process

Abstracts will be evaluated by a panel composed of members from the EXPRESS2 coordination team and the project's Advisory Board. Submissions will be assessed based on:

  • Originality and relevance to the project's themes
  • Clarity of objectives and conceptual approach
  • Coherence and methodological rigour
  • Potential contribution to academic or policy debates
  • Quality of writing in English

What’s in it for you

The winners will be invited to present their work virtually at the EXPRESS2 Midterm Conference in Istanbul, on Thursday, May 29, 2025 (14:30–16:00 local time). 

Additionally, one selected paper will be included in the EXPRESS2 Edited Monograph, which aims to synthesise the project's main research findings and will feature:

- A curated selection of the EXPRESS2 Report Series

- Contributions from Advisory Board members

- The paper from the winner of the Young Scholars Contest

The monograph is intended to be open access and published by a leading academic publisher.

All finalists will receive a certificate of participation.

Submit your abstract