The HiLASE Centre (Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences) and ELI Beamlines (The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC) are launching the eighth edition of the Talent Academy – a program for gifted high school students interested in physics, chemistry, robotics, 3D printing, and interdisciplinary research. Participants will tackle a scientific challenge, and the top students will advance to the finals held at the laser centres. The online round is now open, and applications are accepted until 7 September 2025.
This year’s theme will show that lasers are not only tools for scientific measurement — they can also trigger chemical reactions and enable ultra-precise image recording. The final challenge will guide participants through technologies inspired by classic photographic methods, this time combined with nanoparticles and modern lasers. Students will experience the entire process: from making the recording medium and synthesizing nanoparticles to understanding the laser physics behind it all.
Online Round: Motivational Intro and Home Science Project
The first phase takes place online. Students will fill out a short motivational form and then receive a scientific assignment. The task combines theoretical questions with a hands-on experiment that does not require a laboratory environment — just curiosity and independent thinking. Participants can use books, the internet, and AI tools, but what matters most is how they process, verify, and connect the information.
Finals at the Laser Centres: Three Days Across Disciplines
The twelve best students will advance to a three-day final held on 18–20 October 2025 at the HiLASE and ELI Beamlines laboratories. In teams of four, they will design and test a solution to a research task, explore cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, and meet experts from Czechia and abroad.
Both Czech and English will be used during the finals, with English being applied especially in teamwork, research, and presentations, reflecting its role as the global language of science. The finals also emphasize the development of soft skills — collaboration, communication, presentation, and critical thinking.
The Talent Academy Doesn’t End in October
Selected students may continue their involvement through internships, outreach activities at both centres, or by becoming part of the Talent Academy alumni community at the annual Talentovka MeetUP.
Apply and Experience Science Differently
All high school students, including this year’s graduates, are eligible to apply. Registration, assignment details, and more information are available at www.talentovka.cz. The application deadline is 7 September 2025.
Talent Academy 2025 is part of the LASER-PRO project, which aims to develop joint research and innovation strategies to advance the laser industry, with pilot projects addressing regional and national industrial needs. The project focuses on training the next generation of researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs in laser technologies while supporting startups, spin-offs, and SMEs in harnessing laser innovations to boost their market competitiveness.
You can find more information about the project on its website HERE.
