3rd Young Researchers Competition

The online conference is complete, and all 19 research presentations are now available to watch on demand.

Registration remains open for full access to every submission. Next, the Top 10 finalists will present live in Türkiye at the World Foundry Conference on October 19–21, 2026.

Prize Pool: €14,000
On Demand: Available Now
Live Finals: October 19–21
Finals Location: Türkiye
Topics: 3

Group photo at the World Foundry Conference

Watch Our Trailer

Get a glimpse of what awaits you at the 3rd Young Researchers Competition.

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How It Works

From submission to awards - your journey to the World Foundry Conference in Türkiye.

Phase 1

Submit Your Abstract

Submit an abstract and a 2-minute video presentation by April 26, 2026 (extended from March 31).

Phase 1

Jury Selection

A jury of professors and industry professionals reviews all submissions and selects the Top 20.

Phase 2

Detailed Presentation

19 participants submitted 15-minute videos explaining their research in detail. Every presentation is now available on demand after registration.

Phase 2

Live Finals in Türkiye

Next, the Top 10 will present live in Türkiye on October 19–21, 2026, and the winners will be announced on stage.

Key Dates

Mark your calendar for these important milestones.

April 26, 2026

Phase 1 Deadline

Participants submitted their abstracts and 2-minute video presentations.

April – May 2026

Jury Review

The jury evaluated all Phase 1 submissions and selected the leading participants.

June 5, 2026

Phase 2 Deadline

19 participants submitted detailed 15-minute video presentations for the online conference.

June 22, 2026

Online Conference

19 presentations were shown to a global audience and remain available on demand after registration.

October 19–21, 2026

Live Finals in Türkiye

Top 10 present their research live. Winners are announced on stage.

19 presentations on demand

CASTING SOLUTIONS

Kyoto, Japan

Qihang Yang

DIGITAL METHODS

Beijing, China

Global cohort

Participant origins

Explore on-demand research from foundry communities around the world.

Profiles: 19
Countries: 9

With gratitude

Honoring the reviewers and organization team

The Young Researchers Competition depends on the people who review each submission with care and the team that turns the program into a smooth conference experience.

Reviewers

Scientific evaluation

Their expertise shapes the selection process and gives young researchers thoughtful, credible recognition.

Attila Dioszegi

Jönköping University

Marcin Górny

AGH University of Krakow

Prof. Dr. Özgül Keleş

Istanbul Technical University

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Philipp Lechner

Universität Augsburg

Ken Moizumi

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Primož Mrvar

University of Ljubljana

Dawid Myszka

Politechnika Warszawska

Jakob Olofsson

Jönköping University

Thomas Prucha

Editor-in-Chief International Journal of Metalcasting

Jerry Thiel

University of Northern Iowa

Niels Skat Tiedje

DTU Orbit

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Babette Tonn

Technische Universität Clausthal

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfram Volk

Technische Universität München

Organization team

Program delivery

Behind the scenes, the team keeps the competition, conference, and partner coordination moving.

Dr. Carsten Kuhlgatz

Albertuswerke GmbH

José Javier González

World Foundry Organization

Ludwig Tonn

RWTH Aachen University

Prizes & Awards

Total prize pool of €14,000 for the top researchers.

1st Place

€8,000

Present at World Foundry Conference

2nd Place

€4,000

Present at World Foundry Conference

3rd Place

€2,000

Present at World Foundry Conference

Top 10 Finalists

All Top 10 researchers will be invited to Türkiye to present their research live at the World Foundry Conference (October 19-21, 2026). (Accommodation and travel will be paid by sponsors).

Research Topics

Submit your research in one of these three focus areas.

Casting Solutions

High-quality cast components are characterized by reliability, long service life, multifunctionality, and complete recyclability. There is a constant demand for high-quality casting materials, highly efficient casting processes, and intelligent designs that combine different functions. Market trends are driving specific developments in areas like E-mobility structural castings and green energy components. Produced with lower energy consumption, a reduced CO2 footprint, and less waste.

Digital Methods / Engineering

The progress of digital methods is a key topic of research and development in manufacturing, with a need to improve their application across many areas of the casting process. Examples include data-driven analysis and quality assurance, data-based models to optimize machine control, and the use of artificial intelligence for design and process optimisation. Key challenges for the casting industry are the robustness of sensors to generate and gather data, the reliability of systems, and the large variety of factors that influence quality.

Circular Economy / Sustainable Foundry

The casting process is one of the most effective ways to get from primary material to a final product with the lowest possible energy input, enabling the recycling and re-use of metal alloys. High-quality recycling of mixed scrap and end-of-life components poses new challenges for the entire process chain. Foundries face demanding tasks in the transformation towards climate neutrality, including securing CO2-neutral energy sources and meeting increasing requirements for lifecycle assessments.