2nd edition EELISA Student-led bootcamp 2026
From 8 to 10 November 2026, ZHAW – Zurich University of Applied Sciences will host the second edition of the EELISA Student-led Bootcamp in Winterthur, Switzerland. Organised as an international hackathon, the event will bring together 30 students from across the institutions of the European university alliance EELISA.
Applications are open until 7 September 2026.
A Hackathon Dedicated to the Circular Campus
Much like a small city, a university campus depends on a continuous flow of resources, including water, energy, heating, food, paper, electronic equipment, single-use plastics and laboratory materials.
Many of these resources are still used according to a linear “take, make and dispose” model. In response to current environmental challenges, universities need to move towards more circular practices that make it possible to monitor resources more effectively, reduce their consumption, encourage reuse and extend their lifecycle.
Over three days, participants will be invited to design an innovative and sustainable system to track, reduce, reuse or repurpose the consumables and physical resources used in the daily operation of a university campus.
Turning an Idea into a Prototype
Working in international and multidisciplinary teams, students will address this concrete challenge by combining their knowledge, experiences and different academic perspectives.
Team-building activities and collaborative sessions will support them throughout the development of their projects. The teams will then be asked to turn their ideas into prototypes and present their proposed solutions.
The experience will enable participants to strengthen their skills in teamwork, creativity, prototyping, communication and project pitching. It will also give them an opportunity to apply circular economy and resource-efficiency principles to a real-world challenge.
The projects developed during the hackathon will also explore broader issues relating to sustainability, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, social inclusion, ethics and active European citizenship.
An Experience Created by Students, for Students
The EELISA Student-led Bootcamp is an initiative created by students for students. It aims to give them an active role in developing solutions to major contemporary environmental and societal challenges.
The event is open to students from all academic disciplines and degree levels who are currently enrolled at an EELISA member institution.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet students from across Europe, collaborate in an intercultural environment and build their network within the Alliance.
The bootcamp will take place as part of the EELISA Days celebrations and during the EELISA Grand Meeting week.
Why Take Part?
By participating in the EELISA Student-led Bootcamp, students will have the opportunity to:
- collaborate with students from different disciplines, universities and cultures
- develop a practical solution to a real-world challenge
- learn how to turn an idea into a prototype within a limited timeframe
- strengthen their teamwork, creativity and communication skill
- contribute to making university campuses more sustainable
- take part in an international and European learning experience.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the EELISA Digital Campus between 7 July and 7 September 2026.
Applicants must prepare a short video answering the following three questions:
1. How can you promote collaboration and unity among students across Europe?
2. If you could change anything, how would you make your university campus more sustainable?
3. What does a multidisciplinary team need to turn a bold idea into a real prototype?
The video should be uploaded to a platform of the applicant’s choice. A viewing link must then be included in the “Extra Info – Tell us why you wish to apply” section of the application form. The link must remain active until 21 September 2026.
Applicants must also provide a certificate confirming their enrolment at an EELISA member institution in the “Upload ZIP file” section.
Three students from each EELISA member institution will be selected, bringing the total number of participants to 30. All participation-related expenses will be covered.
Selected participants will be announced by 21 September 2026.
Practical Information
- Dates: 8–10 November 2026
- Venue: ZHAW – Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland
- Format: in-person international hackathon
- Target audience: students from all degree programmes, academic disciplines and study levels
- Number of participants: 30 students, including three selected from each member institution
- Application deadline: 7 September 2026
Selection results: by 21 September 2026
