The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) invites educational institutions, in the countries where it operates, to participate in the latest edition of the International Pre-University Award – FUNIBER Research, an initiative that promotes scientific thinking, creativity, and social and environmental commitment among middle- and high-school students.
Following the success of the two previous editions, the Award remains committed to supporting the talent of the next generation and fostering research projects that help find solutions to today’s challenges. New to this call for entries is the Special Award from the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana de México (International Iberoamerican University of Mexico, UNINI México), which joins the awards presented by its partner universities.
The International Pre-University Award – FUNIBER Research aims to recognize original works that propose transformative solutions to contemporary issues. It also seeks to foster ethics, responsibility, and a commitment to society among future professionals, emphasizing the importance of science as a tool for understanding the world around us and bringing about positive change.
Research to Transform Reality
Participating for the Award provides students with an opportunity to develop their research skills, learn to analyze information, ask relevant questions, and propose well-reasoned solutions. Beyond the possibility of receiving recognition, the experience allows them to approach scientific research from a practical perspective, strengthen their critical thinking skills, and developing competencies that will be useful for their academic and professional futures.
The initiative also encourages young people to identify the needs of their communities and turn them into research opportunities. Projects can address local, social, or environmental issues, ranging from improving the population’s quality of life to protecting ecosystems, educational innovation, or developing technological solutions.
Who Can Participate?
This call is open to middle- and high-school students from any school located in countries where FUNIBER operates.
Submissions must be original and unpublished and may be submitted in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, or English. Each school may submit up to two research projects, which will be selected by the school’s administration.
Proposals must present solutions related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, preferably tailored to the needs and characteristics of their respective regions.
Projects may address a cross-cutting proposal or focus on one of the following areas:
- Law and Policy.
- Health, Nutrition, and Physical Activity.
- Education and Teacher Training.
- Environment.
- Business Development.
- Humanities and Communication.
- Engineering, Architecture, and Design.
- Psychology and Human Resources.
- Tourism.
This thematic diversity allows students to explore different fields of knowledge and develop interdisciplinary initiatives, linking research to the specific challenges of their environment.
Awards to Recognize Talent and Promote Training
The International Pre-University Award – FUNIBER Research includes two main prizes and four special prizes, corresponding to some of the partner universities participating in this edition—the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO), the Universidad de La Romana (University of La Romana, UNIROMANA), the Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (International University of Cuanza, UNIC), and the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana de México (UNINI México).
Main Awards
The project that wins first place will receive a prize of $400 for the authors and $250 for the school.
The project that wins second place will receive $200 for the authors and $125 for the school.
In addition, the professor in charge of each award-winning project will receive a FUNIBER scholarship covering 70% of the tuition for one of the online graduate programs or 60% of the tuition for one of the online doctoral programs offered by FUNIBER and awarded by a university in its network.
Students who place first or second will also be exempt from paying tuition if they decide in the future to enroll at any of the universities in the network whose programs are sponsored by FUNIBER.
Special Awards
The special awards recognize projects carried out in schools in the countries where each of the awarding universities is located. This edition includes the Special Award from the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana de México (UNINI México) for Mexican educational institutions, which is governed by the same guidelines and award conditions.
For each special award, two prizes will be awarded:
- First place: $200 for the project’s creators and $125 for the school.
- Second place: $100 for the project creators and $75 for the school.
In addition, the professor in charge of the award-winning project will receive a FUNIBER scholarship covering 70% of the costs to pursue an online graduate program or 60% of the costs to pursue an online doctoral program sponsored by the Foundation and leading to a degree from a university in its network.
How Do I Register?
Registration must be completed by the administration of each school, which may submit up to two research projects. To do so, the school will need to review the contest rules and complete the form corresponding to each entry.
Interested schools can review the requirements, conditions for participation, and all the latest information on the International Pre-University Award – FUNIBER Research official website.
The deadline for submitting papers is March 12th, 2027.
An Opportunity to Learn, Conduct Research, and Make an Impact
The International Pre-University Award – FUNIBER Research is part of FUNIBER’s Social Action area and is organized in collaboration with the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (UNEATLANTICO), the Universidade Internacional do Cuanza (UNIC), the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana de México (UNINI México), the Fundación Universitaria Internacional de Colombia (International University Foundation of Colombia, UNINCOL), the Universidad de La Romana (UNIROMANA), and the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (International Iberoamerican University, UNIB).
Through this initiative, FUNIBER and its partner institutions aim to bring research closer to young people, stimulate their curiosity, and provide them with the tools to turn their ideas into proposals that benefit society.
Participating is an opportunity to learn by doing, discover new scientific career paths, work as a team, and contribute to solving real-world problems.
Encourage your school to participate and turn research into an opportunity to transform your community!
Check the rules and register for the award.