Shaping Tomorrow
Policy Solutions for Responsible Technological Innovation
The EPIS Policy Competition bridges the gap between theory and practice, empowering Master's students, recent graduates, and young researchers to transform research into actionable solutions. Participants craft formal policy proposals and defend them before a distinguished panel of experts from diplomacy, academia, and industry.
Are you ready to shape the technologies transforming our future?
The Policy Competition Shaping Tomorrow: Policy Solutions for Responsible Technological Innovation invites participants to develop bold, practical and forward-looking policy ideas addressing the opportunities and challenges created by technological change.
The challenge
From artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital governance to biotechnology, space technologies, automation, defence innovation and sustainable solutions, emerging technologies are reshaping our economies, institutions and societies. Their rapid development demands policies that encourage innovation while protecting fundamental rights, public safety, democratic accountability and social inclusion.
The opportunity
Building on the success of our previous Policy Competitions, which brought together emerging policy thinkers and experienced experts, this edition places technological innovation at the centre of the debate. Participants will have the opportunity to transform an original idea into a preliminary policy proposal, present it to experts and receive direct, substantive feedback.
Evaluation Criteria
Presentations will be assessed by our expert panel according to:
- —Policy relevance
- —Originality and innovation
- —Feasibility and practical implementation
- —Quality of analysis and supporting evidence
- —Clarity, structure and persuasiveness of the recommendations
From Submission to Brussels
Submit your preliminary policy proposal
Submit your proposal by 10 January 2027 at 23:59 CET.
Proposals must not exceed 1,000 words. Participants are not expected to produce a complete policy paper at this stage. Instead, submissions should present and explain a clear preliminary policy idea, including the problem it seeks to address, the proposed solution, the relevant stakeholders and its potential impact.
Present and discuss your proposal online
On 16 January 2027, selected participants will join our live online Policy Competition.
Participants will be organised into thematic groups and assigned to breakout rooms, with two policy experts in each room. Each participant or team will have 10 minutes to present their proposal, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session and discussion with the experts.
This format will allow participants to test their ideas, respond to questions and receive direct feedback from experienced policy professionals.
Join the final discussion round
Following the breakout sessions, the three participants or teams receiving the highest scores will advance to the final round. The three finalists will present their ideas to the full expert panel and explore the feedback received during their respective sessions. All judges will then evaluate the finalists and determine the final ranking of the top three proposals.
Present your ideas in Brussels
The top three participants or teams will be invited to present their proposals directly to relevant EU policymakers and engage in a discussion.
The date and exact format of the Brussels programme will be announced at a later stage.
Competition Details
- Deadline
- 10 January 2027 · 23:59 CET
- Live Conference
- 16 January 2027 · 09:30–13:30 CET
- Format
- Policy proposal · 1,000 words max.
- Teams
- 1–4 students per team
- Presentation
- 10 min presentation + 20 min expert discussion (Q&A)
- Language
- English
- Cost
- Free to participate · Registration required
- Certificate
- All active participants receive a certificate
Present your idea, challenge conventional thinking and help shape a responsible technological future!
Submit a preliminary policy proposal of up to 1,000 words by 10 January 2027 at 23:59 CET. Participation is free.