The first edition of the ADAMED SmartUP scholarship programme is already at an advanced stage – interviews for the science camp were held at the end of May. The Scientific Council of the Programme has chosen 50 young science enthusiasts who are going to the innovative science camp in July.

Thus, recruitment for the first innovative science camp in Poland came to an end. During the past six months, participants of the ADAMED SmartUP educational and scientific programme took part in an interactive recruitment game, full of riddles and unexpected twists and turns, they checked their knowledge in an on-line test and had a meeting with the Scientific Council of the Programme to convince them that they are the ones who should participate in the science camp. Who are these young explorers, so passionate about science?

The recruitment meetings were attended by high school and middle school students from all over Poland. They are 15–19-year-olds, who certainly intimidate many adults with their hunger for knowledge, scientific achievements and plans for further development. They are people who engage in all kinds of research projects, they attend scientific camps and take part in scientific seminars. They proficiently use laboratory equipment on everyday basis, and gas chromatograph, spectrometer, C++ programing, electrophoresis techniques and PCR hold no secrets for them. They are laureates of national and international Olympiads and competitions in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, IT and astronomy. In their free time they are active in student research associations, they deal with robotics, Latin language and Linux, program microcontrollers, explore IT safety, cryptography or algorithmics and even tinker with experimental physics. The candidates selected during the interviews were invited to the science camp that will provide them with a chance for further development of their passions. The science camp, however, is not the end.

The best of them will participate in a 10-month mentored programme in order to get them prepared for a further academic career. With the cooperation of educational consultants, the young scientists will receive a full package of support – from help in developing university applications, through inspiring university classes and ending with motivational support. This process will also allow to identify the laureates of the 1st edition of the ADAMED SmartUP programme who will receive scientific scholarships tailored to their individual needs.