Global Student Challenge
Solve It with Biosolutions (BIOSOL2025)
Welcome to BIOSOL2025!
Are you a final-year undergraduate student or a recent graduate (within one year) with a passion for food, agricultural or environmental sciences, biotechnology, or sustainability?
BIOSOL2025 invites you to share your vision for addressing local challenges using sustainable, biology-based approaches and offers the opportunity to gain international recognition.
This challenge is organized in connection with the MSc Programme in Biosolutions at the University of Copenhagen and is hosted at Campus Kalundborg, home to one of the most innovative industrial symbiosis clusters in Europe.
By participating, you will not only showcase your ideas to a global audience, but you will also earn the unique opportunity to visit Denmark’s Campus Kalundborg on a 7-day trip, connect with MSc students and researchers, and experience firsthand how biosolutions are applied in collaboration with industry.
Submit a 60 to 120-second video answering the question:
“What biosolution would you propose to solve an important challenge in your community or region?”
Your idea should relate to one or more of the following areas (among others):
- Valorising agro-industrial side streams
- Sustainable food production and preservation
- Microbial cultures to enhance nutrient absorption and bioavailability of food products, and health benefits
- Bio-based production of renewable fuels and energy carriers
- Green chemistry and bio-based ingredients for consumer and industrial products
- Precision fermentation techniques (e.g., biomanufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients)
- Production of alternative proteins
- Improving soil health
- Developing biofertilizers
- Plant varieties to mitigate and adapt to climate impact
- Biological alternatives to chemical pesticides and antibiotics
- Biological CO₂ capture, conversion, or reduction
- Waste biodegradation and circular bioeconomy solutions
- Biotech-based alternatives to fossil plastics
- Improving downstream processing for more sustainable biomanufacturing
- Biological water treatment
There are no restrictions on how you create your video. You can speak directly to the camera, use visual aids like illustrations or props, or even include animations or sketches. The goal is to clearly and creatively communicate your biosolution idea.
We’re looking for solutions that are relevant, original, and grounded in biosolutions thinking.
Two winners (one from the EU and one from outside the EU) will receive a fully funded trip (and accommodation) to Denmark to visit Campus Kalundborg.
During their 7-day stay, winners will enjoy a rich program of activities, including:
- Experience Scandinavia's largest biotech hotspot - home to world-leading pharmaceutical production, cutting-edge research, and the award-winning Kalundborg Symbiosis.
- Meet & Greet: Connect with MSc Biosolutions students and professors from the University of Copenhagen (UCPH).
- Lab Visits: Guided experiences in research labs related to biomanufacturing and biosolutions.
- Visibility: Be featured in MSc Biosolutions’ social media.
- Cultural & Nature Experiences: Take part in leisure activities like nature walks or local cultural tours.
Length: Your video should be between 60 and 120 seconds long.
Language: English.
File Format: Submit your video in .mp4 format using the H.264 codec.
Max File Size: Please keep the file size under 300 MB.
Resolution: Videos should be recorded and edited in high resolution (1920×1080), landscape orientation (16:9 aspect ratio).
File Name: Name your video file as:
Institution_LastName_FirstName
(e.g., UCPH_Smith_Anna.mp4)
Originality: Submissions must be original and created by the applicant. Do not include copyrighted content without permission.
Creative Freedom: You may speak directly to the camera, use props, animations, illustrations, or any other creative approach. However, speaking to the camera for at least a few seconds is encouraged.
Ready to share your idea? Follow these simple steps:
- Read the Rules & Guidelines (PDF)
- Create your video
- Fill out the Submission Form (Word)
- Prepare your documents
- Proof of eligibility: final-year undergraduate student or recent graduate (within one year of completing a Bachelor's degree)
- Completed submission form
- Send your submission
- Upload your video to a free file-sharing platform (WeTransfer, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.)
- Make sure the link is publicly accessible (no login required)
- Name your file: Institution_LastName_FirstName
- Email the completed submission form, proof of eligibility, and shareable video link to biosol2025@ku.dk
Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Clarity of messaging: Is the idea communicated in a clear and compelling way?
- Relevance to biosolutions: Does the idea address a real challenge using a biosolutions approach?
- Creativity: Is the solution original, innovative, or inspiring?
- Video and editing quality: Is the video well-produced and easy to follow?
The judging panel will include MSc Biosolutions students and professors from the University of Copenhagen, among others.
Contact
If you have any questions about the challenge, feel free to reach out. We are happy to help!
Email us at: biosol2025@ku.dk
Organization
Giuliano Marcelo Dragone
Associate Professor
Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen
Serafim Bakalis
Professor
Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen
Supported / funded by:
Campus Kalundborg
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