(Frankfurt am Main, February 2, 2026) Modern medicine would be inconceivable without microelectronics. Whether imaging techniques, smart implants, or AI-supported diagnostics: microchips form the technological backbone of numerous medical innovations. This is precisely where INVENT a CHIP (IaC) comes in. The nationwide competition for school students organized by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies is now entering a new round. In 2026, INVENT a CHIP will celebrate its 25th anniversary and, on the occasion of the Science Year with a focus on medicine, will combine current research topics with school practice.
Shaping the technologies of the future
"Artificial intelligence and microelectronics are key technologies that are shaping our world in a significant way. We need well-trained young people to ensure their safe and responsible development and application," says Dr. Martin Hieber, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the VDE. "INVENT a CHIP shows young people that they can not only use these future technologies, but also help shape them themselves."
Dr. Kai-Uwe Demasius is now a chip developer and entrepreneur. In 2009, at the age of 18, he won INVENT a CHIP. "Participating and winning gave me a huge boost of motivation at the time," he explains. "The competition got me completely excited and convinced about microelectronics, so I went on to specialize in microelectronics at university." After completing his doctorate at the Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics in Halle (Saale), Demasius teamed up with a former fellow student in Dresden to found SEMRON GmbH, which develops energy-efficient AI chips and software for on-device applications.
Medical applications in competition
As in previous years, the competition will begin in 2026 with an online quiz through which students can qualify for later rounds. The quiz teaches how microchips are built, how they work, and why they play a central role in a wide range of applications. Modern medical technology and microelectronics are closely intertwined in order to continuously improve diagnostic procedures and assistance systems.
Low-threshold entry for students
The aim of the IaC quiz – and the entire competition – is to convey complex future technologies in a way that is understandable, practical, and motivating. INVENT a CHIP is supported by experts from Leibniz University Hannover, among others, and has been one of the established formats for promoting young talent in STEM subjects in Germany for 25 years. In its anniversary year, the quiz draws on a selection of the best questions from 25 years of INVENT a CHIP and combines them with current issues in medical technology.
From online quiz to chip design
Motivated young people can delve deeper into chip design and develop their own circuits in a further stage of the IaC Challenge competition. To participate in the IaC Camp, the tasks must be completed by March 22, 2026. The 15 best participants in the IaC Challenge and 10 additional students selected on the basis of short letters of motivation will be invited to a multi-day camp at Leibniz University Hannover. The camp will take place from April 16 to 19, 2026, and will offer insights into the development of their own chip ideas with AI and voice control functions.
All camp participants will receive an FPGA board and a certificate. The ten winners will receive cash prizes of 2,000, 1,500, 1,000, and 500 euros, invitations to trade fairs and technology events, and a recommendation for the German National Academic Foundation. The award ceremony will take place on October 5, 2026, as part of an anniversary event in Augsburg.
Students register individually, teachers can request group codes and receive an evaluation of the results. Registration is open from February 2, 2026, and the quiz must be completed by May 31, 2026. No special prior knowledge is required.
INVENT a CHIP is supported in the current competition round by numerous sponsors, including Bosch, Cologne Chip, Globalfoundries, Infineon, and Siemens. Further information on the student competition can be found at www.invent-a-chip.de (in German).
LABS for CHIPS complements the anniversary year
The best electronics projects for school students are also on the anniversary program for 2026. LABS for CHIPS is another competition that will be launched at the same time to promote interest and enjoyment in electronics among young people. Individuals and institutions that develop and implement specific offerings for young people are eligible to apply. VDE and BMFTR will award prize money of €500, €1,000, and €2,000 for these ideas. Further information is available at www.labs-for-chips.de (in German).
