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Génération Maastricht

Flagship programme · Launch conference, 7 February 2027

Maastricht Day & the Génération Maastricht Fellows

An annual pan-European student competition built around 7 February, the anniversary of the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992. The first call opens at a launch conference on 7 February 2027, the Treaty's 35th anniversary.

Proposed theme for 2027: European Sovereignty, the next thirty-five years.

Register interestAttend the launch conference

The idea

Each year, teams research one question about Europe's future and present their answer before a senior jury. Finalists become Génération Maastricht Fellows. Two pathways: The Challenge, for students aged 18 to 25, and The Future-of-Europe track, for young professionals aged 25 to 40, in a later edition. Every 7 February, the finals of one edition and the launch of the next take place on the same day.

Why Maastricht

The Treaty signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992 created the European Union and European citizenship. The launch conference on 7 February 2027 marks its 35th anniversary. The first finals follow on 7 February 2028.

How it works

First edition, 2027 to 2028

  1. Now to February 2027

    Register interest

    Students, officer cadets, universities and partners register their interest ahead of the launch.

  2. 7 February 2027

    Launch conference

    The year's question is published and the call opens, on the 35th anniversary of the signing.

  3. February to June 2027

    Teams and submissions

    Teams register, research the question and submit their written work.

  4. September 2027 to January 2028

    Shortlist

    Shortlisted teams are announced and prepare their final presentation.

  5. 7 February 2028

    Finals and prizes

    Shortlisted teams present before a senior jury, prizes are awarded, the first Fellows are named and the second call opens.

The defence strand

Officer cadets and young officers join civilian students on mixed teams. Génération Maastricht acts as the civil-military bridge, so that the people who will defend Europe and the people who will govern it learn to think together.

Prizes

  • Prize

    Schuman

  • Prize

    Monnet

  • Prize

    Delors

  • Prize

    Veil

  • Prize

    Spinelli

Fellows

Finalists become Génération Maastricht Fellows and join the institute's research and programmes.

The first Fellows will be named on 7 February 2028

Roadmap to 2042

  1. 2027

    35th anniversary. Launch conference and opening of the first call.

  2. 2028

    First finals. The first Génération Maastricht Fellows are named.

  3. 2032

    40th anniversary. Milestone edition in Maastricht.

  4. 2037

    45th anniversary. Milestone edition in Maastricht.

  5. 2042

    50th anniversary. Milestone edition in Maastricht.

Partners, patrons and jury

Partners to be announced

No partner, patron, jury member or venue has been announced yet.

FAQ

When does the call open?

The call opens at the launch conference on 7 February 2027. Register interest now to be notified.

When are the finals?

The first finals take place on 7 February 2028. After that, each edition runs from one 7 February to the next.

Who can take part?

The Challenge is open to students aged 18 to 25. The Future-of-Europe track for young professionals aged 25 to 40 will open in a later edition.

Do teams have to be from one university?

Rules on team composition will be published when the call opens on 7 February 2027.

Who sits on the jury?

The jury will be announced in due course.

Where are the launch conference and the finals held?

Venues will be announced. Milestone editions are planned in Maastricht.

Register interest

We will write to you before the launch conference and when the call opens on 7 February 2027.