Terms and Conditions

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & REGULATIONS

1. Intellectual Property & Patents

  • If participants intend to apply for a patent related to their project, the application must be submitted before the competition.
  • Once a project is presented at INNOVATE GERMANY, it becomes publicly disclosed, which may affect future patent eligibility.
  • Participants are advised to seek independent legal advice regarding intellectual property and patent protection prior to public presentation.
  • INNOVATE GERMANY is not responsible for any patent-related consequences resulting from public disclosure of projects.

2. Project Materials & On-Site Requirements

  • On the competition day, all project materials must be pre-prepared and printed, including posters, research papers, prototypes, and any supporting materials such as flyers or videos.
  • Participants must bring their own setup materials (e.g. double-sided tape, pins, scissors, or similar items).
  • Project teams are fully responsible for the safety, transport, and condition of their own posters, prototypes, and materials throughout the event.

3. Media, Recording & Usage Rights

  • INNOVATE GERMANY reserves the right to display submitted projects on its official online platforms, media channels, seminars, and promotional events.
  • Photos and videos taken by INNOVATE GERMANY organizers during the competition may be used on the official website, social media platforms, and promotional materials, without additional compensation.
  • INNOVATE GERMANY is not responsible for photos or recordings taken by third parties during opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies, competitions, or tours.

4. Travel, Supervision & Responsibility

  • During national or international travel, students are under the responsibility of their parents or mentors and must comply with all applicable rules and regulations.
  • During all programs held in Germany, mentors are responsible for their students at all times.
  • Any problems or concerns encountered during the competition must be immediately reported to INNOVATE GERMANY officials.

5. Ethics, Safety & Disciplinary Rules

  • Projects involving unethical practices or experiments violating internationally accepted human, animal, or plant rights are strictly prohibited.
  • Any inappropriate experiments, images, videos, or materials related to such practices will not be accepted.
  • Unacceptable behavior, including misconduct, harassment, or disciplinary violations, will result in immediate disqualification.
  • Projects that violate ethical standards, academic honesty, or competition rules will be disqualified.

6. Project Presentation Rules

  • During project presentations, only water is permitted.
  • Eating or drinking during presentations is not allowed.
  • Participants are expected to wear appropriate and professional clothing during project presentations. Wearing INNOVATE GERMANY T-shirts is recommended.
  • Mentors are required to submit the T-shirt sizes of all participants in advance. All sizes follow international size standards. Size changes will not be possible during the competition; however, participants may exchange T-shirts among themselves if needed.

7. Previous Participation

  • Participants may re-enter the competition with a project from a previous year only if the project has been significantly developed or improved.
  • Any such development must be clearly stated in the newly submitted abstract.

8. Registration, Abstract & Research Paper Submission

  • Only mentors are authorized to register projects.
  • Submission of the initial abstract confirms project acceptance.
    INNOVATE GERMANY does not conduct a preliminary selection.
  • Projects involving plagiarism, ethical violations, or rule breaches will be disqualified.
  • After abstract submission, an additional period is provided for mentors to upload the complete research paper.
  • Failure to submit the research paper within the given timeframe will result in disqualification.

9. Visa & Immigration Policy

  • Participants who require a visa to enter Germany must complete all visa procedures well in advance.
  • Visa invitation letters can be accessed by mentors through their personal accounts.
  • Mentors are obliged to provide participants’ medical insurances.
  • INNOVATE GERMANY does not provide visa consultancy or immigration support.
  • Participation in INNOVATE GERMANY cannot be used as grounds for asylum or immigration applications.

10. Team Structure & Categories

Team-Based Categories

Teams of up to 3 students are allowed in the following categories:

  • Engineering & Mathematics, Energy – Physics
  • Environmental Sciences & Chemistry
  • Health Sciences & Biology
  • AI & Computer Science
  • Digital & Board Game Design

Rules:

  • Teams including both Junior and Senior students must be registered under the Senior category.
  • After abstract submission, team members cannot be replaced.
  • If a team member is unable to attend, the remaining members must present the project independently.
Individual Categories

The following categories allow individual participation only:

  • Art & Digital Design
  • Creative Writing

Projects in these categories must address global and social themes, such as environmental challenges, sustainability, poverty, inequality, peace, conflict, or humanitarian issues etc.

11. Accommodation, Tours & Participation

  • Mentors may arrange accommodation independently or choose accommodation options offered by INNOVATE GERMANY.
  • Accommodation preferences must be indicated during registration.
  • Attendance at the opening ceremony, project presentations, and closing ceremony is mandatory.
  • Mentors must indicate during registration whether participants will join organized tours provided by INNOVATE GERMANY.
  • All accommodation and tour fees are announced in advance before the registration period opens.

12. Certificates & Jury Applications

  • Mentors may view and download participation certificates for their students through their accounts.
  • Applications for jury membership can be submitted through the Jury section of the official website.

13. Appeals & Communication

  • Mentors may submit appeals regarding competition results via email.
  • All appeals will be reviewed by INNOVATE GERMANY, and responses will be communicated by email.

    Contact: [email protected]

14.Application Capacity Notice

  • INNOVATE GERMANY reserves the right to close or limit the application period, either for all categories or for selected categories, before the announced deadline once the maximum participation capacity has been reached.