FameLab
FameLab is one of the world’s leading science communication competitions, challenging young scientists to share their work with a public audience in just three minutes.
At its core, FameLab makes science accessible, engaging, and relevant—without jargon, slides, or formal presentations. Participants are judged on content, clarity, and charisma, turning complex ideas into compelling stories.
What is the NITheCS Heat of FameLab?
NITheCS hosts a FameLab heat, offering a platform for students, young researchers and emerging scientists in theoretical, computational, and related disciplines to showcase their research and communication skills.
This gives you the opportunity to:
- Present your research in an engaging, audience-friendly way
- Develop valuable science communication skills
- Compete for a place in the national semi-finals
We encourage participants to explore creative ways of communicating topics across the NITheCS themes of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Bioinformatics & Quantitative Biology, Data Science, Earth Systems Modelling and Climate Change Modelling, Mathematics, Quantitative Finance, Statistics, and Theoretical Physics, as well as interdisciplinary themes.
Who can enter?
You are eligible if you:
- Are between 21 and 35 years old
- Are studying, working, or registered in a STEM field in South Africa
Why Take Part?
FameLab offers more than just competition:
- Build communication skills through expert training
- Connect with scientists across disciplines
- Join a global science communication community
- Gain national and international exposure
What can you win?
In addition to scooping the title of ‘winner’, participants progressing beyond the heats compete nationally for:
- National Winner:
- R5,000 cash prize
- Opportunity to represent South Africa at the FameLab International Finals in England
- National Runners-up:
- R2,500 cash prize each
- Semi-finalists:
- Science communication masterclass training by world-renowned experts
Judging criteria
Judging is based on:
- Content – Scientific accuracy and relevance
- Clarity – Accessibility to a general audience
- Charisma – Engagement and delivery
Get involved
NITheCS welcomes participants from across South Africa to participate in our 2026 FameLab heat.
This year’s contest takes place online via Zoom on 9 & 10 June 2026.
- Day 1: Mentoring workshop to help you prepare your talk
- Day 2: Deliver your 3-minute talk to a panel of judges
Your talk should be entertaining, original, scientifically accurate, and accessible. Small props are allowed; PowerPoint slides are not.
To be considered as a contestant in the 2026 NITheCS heat of FameLab, click here to apply.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 29 May 2026.
