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Bernal Research Day 2026 will take place on Friday 23 January 2026, so please save the date in your diaries.  This year’s event will focus on the Bernal community past and present, as we welcome back graduates from the past 20 years to present their thesis’ in 3 minutes and careers to date as we go back to the future!  

There will also be a variety of competitions and awards to enter, with details of how to enter and eligibility conditions below.  Attendees and participants will be from the Bernal Institute.  We invite everyone to enter the competitions that are the best fit for you.

The deadline for all competitions and awards is Friday 5 December 13.00.

1. Thesis in 3
   1. To enter complete the online
   2. Competition rules, template and judging criteria can be found
   3. Details of where to upload your slides will be given to applicants after the application deadline.  
      For queries, contact Eoin.hinchy@ul.ie 
       
2. Research Pitch (Bernal Fame)
   1. To register, please complete the online
   2. The competition rules can be viewed . 
      *Please note this will go ahead subject to a minimum number of 5 acceptable applications
      For queries, contact Mark.morgan@ul.ie
       
3. PhD Paper Award
   1. To enter complete the online
   2. Please refer to the  to provide the journal ranking.
   3. Criteria for this competition can be found . 
      For queries, contact Miryam.AmigoBenavent@ul.ie
       
4. Poster Award
   1. To enter complete the online
   2. Template information and logos can be found
   3. Details of where to upload your poster will be given to applicants after the application deadline and posters will be judged close to the Research Day. 
      For queries, contact Giovanni.Zucco@ul.ie
       
5. Postdoctoral Researcher of the Year
   1. To enter complete the online
   2. Criteria for this competition can be found
      For queries, contact Fabiana.Sarda@ul.ie
       
6. Research Image Award
   This year’s image competition is hosted by YESBernal.
   1. To enter complete the online
   2. Competition rule and judging criteria can be found
      For queries, contact YESBernal@ul.ie
       
7. Researcher of the Year 
   All Bernal Members are entered into this and more details to follow.
    
8. Positive Safety Initiative Award
   1. To enter complete the online
      For queries, contact Gordon.Armstrong@ul.ie

 The prizes are: 

Tin3 - 1^st: €300, 2^nd: €200, 3^rd: €100

Research Pitch (Bernal Fame) – 1^st: €300

Poster - 1^st: €300, 2^nd: €200, 3^rd: €150

Image - 1st: €300 – 2nd: €200 – 3rd: €100

PhD Paper – 1^st €300

Postdoctoral Researcher of the Year – €200

Safety Initiative award – Certificate

Researcher of the Year – Certificate

If you have any other questions, please contact mark.morgan@ul.ie or Rebecca.Corbett@ul.ie