ERCOFTAC Da Vinci Competition
The ERCOFTAC da Vinci Prize for young researchers is awarded annually in recognition of an excellent PhD thesis in theoretical and applied fluid dynamics and outstanding scientific contributions with engineering relevance. The winner of the da Vinci Competition will be chosen from five finalists during the ERCOFTAC Autumn Festivals.
Da Vinci Competition, 2025
- 15th July 2025 - Deadline for submission of nominations: PC coordinators send the selected 3 research summaries (PDF) to the SPC Chairman: maria.vittoria.salvetti@unipi.it
- Participants will be informed about the jury vote and finalists will be given instructions on their presentations and travel arrangements.
- 9th October 2025 - Finals of the 20th da Vinci Competition in Darmstadt, Germany.
Interviews with Da Vinci Winners
19th ERCOFTAC Da Vinci Winner 2024
Matthias Steinhausen
Modeling of Near-Wall Flame Dynamics in Laminar and Turbulent Combustion
18th ERCOFTAC Da Vinci Winner 2023
Reduced-Order Modeling Of Turbulent Reacting Flows Using Data-Driven Approaches
Numerical study on thermodiffusive instabilities in laminar and turbulent hydrogen flames
Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations of complex multiphase flows with surfactants
Ignition and propagation mechanisms of spray flames
11th ERCOFTAC Da Vinci Winner 2016
Daniel Kintea
Hydrodynamics and Thermodynamics of Ice Particle Accretion
Interviews with Da Vinci Finalists
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates may be PhD students or recent PhD graduates who have submitted their PhD thesis after 1st June in year before the competition.
PRIZES
The winner will be awarded the yearly Da Vinci Medal, a certificate and a cash prize of 1000 Euro. The other four finalists will receive certificates and medals.
SELECTION
Each ERCOFTAC Pilot Centre (PC) may nominate up to 3 candidates for the Da Vinci Competition. The selected candidates will be required to submit a 3-page summary of their research methods and achievements. The research summaries will be evaluated by international experts selected by the Scientific Program Committee (SPC). This Da Vinci Jury will decide on a shortlist of 5 finalists that will present their work at the Autumn Festival, where the final winner will be chosen.
Please note that due care should be given to the 3-page summary of the work, as this is all the information the Jury will have available for its decision regarding the shortlist. It is essential that the candidates write the summary independently.
The 3-page summary has to be prepared by the candidate as the only author and should include:
- Title of the work;
- Name, address and affiliation, email address, telephone number;
- Name and affiliation of supervisor(s);
- Summary of the work, explaining the main problem and the main result in a language that is understandable to the general public (max ½ page);
- Scientific summary of objectives, research methodology, main results and achievements, and if possible a graphical representation. Particular emphasis should be given to novelty and originality of the methods and findings and their applicability in engineering;
- List of up to 5 selected publications and an indication of the total output volume.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by the finalists will be reimbursed by ERCOFTAC. Prior to participation, the selected candidates are expected to present travel and accommodation plans to the SPC Chairman for approval.
KEY DATES
It will be announced on yearly basis by ERCOFTAC SPC Chairman.
Past Events and Winners:
- 19th Da Vinci Competition 2024, London, UK
- 18th Da Vinci Competition 2023, Liege, Belgium
- 17th Da Vinci Competition 2022, Lyon, France
- 16th Da Vinci Competition 2021, Rome Italy
- 15th Da Vinci Competition 2020, Cambridge, UK
- 14th Da Vinci Competition 2019, Magdeburg, Germany
- 13th Da Vinci Competition 2018, Warsaw, Poland
- 12th Da Vinci Competition 2017, TU Delft, The Netherlands
- 11th Da Vinci Competition 2016, Stockholm, Sweden
- 10th Da Vinci Competition 2015, Vinci, Italy
Pilot
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Knowledge
ERCOFTAC