Structured mentorship, weekly progress tracking, and formal research documentation for national and international science competitions.
ISEF & Olympiad Mentors
Work weekly in small teams with winners and alumni of Regeneron ISEF, "Sabahın Alimləri", and international STEM olympiads.
Wave Journal Publication
The Top 10 projects selected at the Final Exhibition are formally published in the Wave Journal with full student and mentor credit.
Professor Recommendations
Distinguished participants earn official recommendation letters from university professors to strengthen university admissions.
Competition-Ready Output
Graduate with a tested prototype, codebase, or proof and a 5–10 page research paper tailored to ISEF & Sabahın Alimləri standards.
5 Research Tracks
Choose Your Scientific Division
Select any division to review its Stage 1 Plan (Nov 28), Stage 2 Mid-Term (Dec 19), and Stage 3 Final (Dec 26) deliverables.
01 · MATH
Mathematics
Formal proofs, algorithmic bounds, number theory, or applied mathematical modeling.
Milestones →
02 · SOFT / AI
Computer Science & AI
Working software, machine learning models tested on real datasets, and baseline benchmarks.
Milestones →
03 · ENMC / PHYS
Engineering & Physics
Physical prototypes, experimental apparatus, and empirical measurement validation.
Milestones →
04 · BCHM / CHEM
Natural Sciences (Biology & Chemistry)
Controlled laboratory experiments, repeated trials alongside control groups, and data analysis.
Milestones →
05 · EBED / ROBO
Hardware & Robotics
Electronic circuits, embedded systems, and autonomous robotic mechanisms tested in practice.
Milestones →
Structured Schedule
How the 8-Week Fellowship Works
Designed around the school calendar so teams finish paper writing before winter break and focus on presentation after Jan 5.
Weeks 1–2 · Nov 15–28
1. Problem & Plan
Match with your mentor, define a concrete research question, and submit your 1-page Project Plan by November 28.
Weeks 3–5 · Nov 29–Dec 19
2. Prototype & Mid-Term
Build your initial working code, apparatus, or experimental trial and present a 3-minute progress pitch at the Mid-Term Review.
Week 6 · Dec 20–26
3. Paper Before Break
Finalize empirical results and complete your 5–10 page Final Research Paper right before the Dec 27 – Jan 4 winter break.
Weeks 7–8 · Jan 5–15
4. Exhibition & Awards
Rehearse pitches on Jan 5–8, present your stand at the Jan 9 Final Exhibition, and celebrate at the Jan 15 Award Ceremony.
The Competition Stage
Defend Your Research Before a Scientific Jury
Every team that passes the Mid-Term Assessment (by December 19) and submits its 5–10 page Final Research Paper before winter break (December 26) advances to the live Final Exhibition on January 9, 2027.
Jan 9 · Final Pitch DayStand exhibition, 5-minute jury presentation & 3-minute Q&A defense.
Jan 15 · Awards & Wave JournalAnnouncement of Top 10 winners, awards & Wave Journal publication.
About the Incubator
The Wave Winter Research Fellowship (Project Incubator) empowers youth to step outside traditional theoretical frameworks, identify real-world problems, and develop practical solutions. Under the mentorship of alumni and winners of national and international science competitions (such as Regeneron ISEF), participants conduct systematic research to turn their ideas into functional outcomes (mathematical proofs, working software, physical prototypes, or experimental data).
We do not ask for revolutionary discoveries; instead, we expect honest scientific methodology and creative solutions that add new value to existing problems.
Eligibility & Academic Recognition
The fellowship is open to high school students and motivated youth preparing for national and international scientific competitions such as "Sabahın Alimləri" and Regeneron ISEF across five core subjects: Mathematics, Computer Science & AI, Engineering & Physics, Natural Sciences (Biology & Chemistry), and Hardware & Robotics.
High-achieving participants will have the opportunity to receive official recommendation letters from university professors to support future academic applications. In addition, the top 10 projects selected at the conclusion of the program will be published in the Wave Journal.
Ready to Build Your Research Project?
Participation is 100% free. Submit your application before November 13, 2026 to join the 2026–2027 Wave Winter Research Fellowship cohort.
Select any division below to review its research scope, required methodology, and stage-by-stage deliverables (Plan by Nov 28, Mid-Term by Dec 19, Final Paper by Dec 26).
Division
By Mid-Term Assessment (Nov 29 – Dec 19)
By Final Submission (Dec 26)
Mathematics→
Defined problem, methodology, partial proofs, or solved baseline examples.
Complete solution (formal proof) verified with examples or test cases.
Computer Science & AI→
Working code and preliminary tests conducted on real data.
Tested functional software, measurable results, and comparison with baseline indicators.
Engineering & Physics→
Initial prototype or experimental apparatus where preliminary measurements have been taken.
Functional prototype and comparison of obtained empirical data with the initial objective.
Natural Sciences (Biology & Chemistry)→
Experimental setup established and initial trial conducted.
Repeated trials alongside a control group and a clear scientific conclusion.
Hardware & Robotics→
Circuit or robot executing at least one core function.
Device achieving the stated objective along with its empirical test results.
Track 01 · Pure & Applied Mathematics
Mathematics
Covers pure and applied mathematics projects where students formulate a clear mathematical problem, investigate patterns or models, and construct a complete proof or verified analytical solution.
Algebra & Number TheoryCombinatorics & Graph TheoryGeometry & TopologyAnalysis & Differential EquationsProbability & Mathematical StatisticsGame Theory & Optimization
Stage 1 · Nov 15 – 28
1-Page Project Plan
Clearly defined mathematical problem, research question or conjecture, planned method of proof or modeling, references, and expected result.
Stage 2 · By Dec 19 (Mid-Term)
Methodology & Partial Proofs
Defined problem, chosen methodology, partial proofs, or solved baseline examples presented in a 3-minute progress review to mentors.
Stage 3 · By Dec 26 (Final Paper)
Verified Complete Proof & Paper
Complete mathematical solution (formal proof) verified with examples or test cases, written up in the 5–10 page Final Research Document.
Division Requirements & Paper Standards
Problem, Definitions & Proofs: State all definitions, assumptions, and notation clearly before presenting lemmas and theorems.
Note on Methodology Section: As specified in the fellowship guidelines, a traditional experimental methodology section may not be required for every pure mathematics project; focus instead on logical steps and rigorous proof.
Examples & Test Cases: Verify your general proof or formula on concrete small cases, boundary values, or numerical examples.
Distinguishing Prior Work: Cite known theorems in the References section and state clearly what new angle, proof, or model your team developed.
Evaluation Focus & Sample Project Topics
What Mentors & Judges Check: Logical accuracy of the proof, clarity of mathematical writing, and how well small examples or counterexamples are analyzed.
Sample Topic Area 1: Number theory problems, divisibility properties, modular arithmetic patterns, or Diophantine equations.
Sample Topic Area 2: Combinatorial counting problems, invariants, graph properties, or geometric inequalities.
Sample Topic Area 3: Mathematical modeling of real-world processes (such as traffic flow, queuing, epidemiology, or optimization).
Covers software engineering, algorithms, data analysis, and artificial intelligence projects where teams build working code, test it on real datasets, and compare measurable results against baseline methods.
Machine Learning & Deep LearningComputer Vision & Medical ImagingNLP & Azerbaijani Language ModelsAlgorithms & Data StructuresCybersecurity & CryptographyComputational Bioinformatics
Stage 1 · Nov 15 – 28
1-Page Project Plan
Problem statement (3–4 sentences), research question, planned algorithm or model architecture, data sources, and expected software output.
Stage 2 · By Dec 19 (Mid-Term)
Working Code & Real-Data Tests
Working initial code and preliminary tests conducted on real data, demonstrated during the 3-minute Mid-Term review with mentors.
Stage 3 · By Dec 26 (Final Paper)
Tested Software & Baseline Comparison
Tested functional software, measurable quantitative results, comparison with baseline indicators, and the 5–10 page Final Paper.
Division Requirements & Paper Standards
Working Code on Real Data: Projects must include functional code tested on real datasets—not just a theoretical concept or an unvalidated interface.
Mandatory Baseline Comparison: Measure your software or model using clear metrics (such as accuracy, F1-score, error rate, or runtime) and compare it directly against a baseline method.
Code & Appendices Rule: Include key result tables and charts in the 5–10 page paper; place long code blocks and large data tables in the separate Appendices section.
AI Tool Declaration & Honest Failure Analysis: Transparently declare any AI assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) used for coding or editing, and explain what did not work during testing.
Evaluation Focus & Sample Project Topics
What Mentors & Judges Check: Reliability of the code, quality of the dataset and baseline comparison, and practical usefulness of the software.
Sample Topic Area 1: Computer vision or image classification for agriculture, medical screening, document reading, or environmental monitoring.
Sample Topic Area 2: Natural language processing tools, datasets, or educational software tailored for the Azerbaijani language.
Sample Topic Area 3: Optimization algorithms, cybersecurity & anomaly detection tools, or accessible assistive software.
Covers applied physics and engineering projects where students design and build an experimental apparatus or physical prototype, take real measurements, and compare empirical data against their initial target.
Engineering or physics problem, objective or hypothesis, sequential construction and testing steps, required materials/instruments, and target outcome.
Stage 2 · By Dec 19 (Mid-Term)
Initial Prototype & First Measurements
Initial prototype or experimental apparatus built with preliminary measurements already taken and presented at the Mid-Term review.
Stage 3 · By Dec 26 (Final Paper)
Functional Prototype & Data Comparison
Working prototype, systematic comparison of obtained empirical data with the initial objective, analysis of limitations, and 5–10 page paper.
Division Requirements & Paper Standards
Physical Prototype or Apparatus: Purely theoretical descriptions or CAD drawings without experimental measurements are not sufficient; teams must build and test a physical setup.
Empirical Measurements & Units: Record quantitative measurements (e.g., voltage, temperature, force, efficiency, flow rate) in clear tables and graphs with proper units.
Comparison with Initial Target: Directly compare your measured data against the target stated in your Stage 1 Project Plan.
Honest Explanation of Failures: Document mechanical, material, or measurement limitations and explain why certain trials did not work as expected.
Evaluation Focus & Sample Project Topics
What Mentors & Judges Check: Sound application of physics/engineering principles, repeatable measurements, and a functional prototype demonstrated at the exhibition.
Sample Topic Area 1: Renewable energy prototypes (solar panel efficiency, wind turbine blade design, thermal insulation, or energy harvesting).
Sample Topic Area 2: Water filtration, air purification, or biodegradable/composite material strength and durability testing.
Sample Topic Area 3: Experimental physics setups investigating aerodynamics, acoustics, optics, or vibration damping.
Covers experimental biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science projects based on controlled laboratory or field experiments, repeated trials alongside a control group, and evidence-based conclusions.
Biological or chemical problem, testable hypothesis or research question, step-by-step experimental method, materials/reagents, and safety plan.
Stage 2 · By Dec 19 (Mid-Term)
Experimental Setup & Initial Trial
Experimental setup established and initial trial conducted, with preliminary observations presented at the Mid-Term mentor review.
Stage 3 · By Dec 26 (Final Paper)
Repeated Trials & Control Group
Repeated trials conducted alongside a control group, clear scientific conclusion, analysis of failed trials, and 5–10 page Final Paper.
Division Requirements & Paper Standards
Mandatory Control Group: Every experiment must include a control group so that your test variable can be compared against a baseline under identical conditions.
Repeated Trials: Conduct repeated trials rather than relying on a single run, and record all numeric measurements, tables, graphs, and photographs.
Reproducible Methodology: Write your Methodology section step by step (quantities, concentrations, temperatures, durations) so another student or researcher could repeat the experiment.
Laboratory Safety & Honest Reporting: Conduct all experiments safely under teacher/mentor supervision, and report negative or unexpected results honestly.
Evaluation Focus & Sample Project Topics
What Mentors & Judges Check: Proper use of control groups, consistency across repeated trials, and clear scientific reasoning in the conclusion.
Sample Topic Area 1: Water or soil quality analysis, natural filtration, or bioremediation of local environmental pollutants.
Sample Topic Area 2: Plant growth and stress tolerance (salinity, drought, soil nutrients) or natural antimicrobial/antioxidant extracts.
Sample Topic Area 3: Green chemistry synthesis of bioplastics, natural dyes/coatings, or chemical indicators for food safety.
Covers electronics, embedded systems, sensor networks, and robotics projects where students design and assemble a working circuit or robotic device that performs a concrete real-world task.
Problem statement, device objective, circuit/mechanical design method, list of microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators, and expected outcome.
Stage 2 · By Dec 19 (Mid-Term)
Core Function Working (Mid-Term)
Electronic circuit or robot executing at least one core function, demonstrated to mentors during the Stage 2 Mid-Term assessment.
Stage 3 · By Dec 26 (Final Paper)
Complete Device & Test Results
Complete device achieving the stated objective along with its empirical test results, schematic diagrams, and 5–10 page Final Paper.
Division Requirements & Paper Standards
Core Function by Mid-Term: By the Stage 2 review, teams must demonstrate a physical circuit or robot mechanism executing at least one core function.
Empirical Hardware Testing: Test the completed device across repeated runs (e.g., sensor accuracy, response time, obstacle detection rate, or battery life) and include the data in your paper.
Schematics & Code in Appendices: Include main performance tables and device photos in the 5–10 page paper; place detailed circuit diagrams, blueprints, and long firmware code in the Appendices.
Live Exhibition Demo (Jan 9): Bring your working hardware or robot to the January 9 Final Exhibition stand for the 5-minute jury pitch and 3-minute Q&A.
Evaluation Focus & Sample Project Topics
What Mentors & Judges Check: Reliable hardware-software integration, original circuit/mechanical assembly (not an unmodified toy kit), and measured test results.
Sample Topic Area 1: Autonomous mobile robots or rovers for search-and-rescue, obstacle navigation, or agricultural monitoring.
Sample Topic Area 2: Assistive hardware devices for visually, hearing, or mobility-impaired users using sensors and microcontrollers.
Sample Topic Area 3: Smart environmental, safety, or irrigation monitoring systems with automated sensor-actuator feedback.
8-week chronological roadmap and required deliverables. Weekly progress reports are mandatory; dates are subject to confirmation by the organizing committee.
Until November 13Application Period
Registration
Free online registration via the official Azerbaijani or English application forms.
November 15 – 28Weeks 1–2
1. Planning
1-page approved plan document specifying the problem, objective/question, methodology, materials, and weekly activity schedule.
Nov 29 – Dec 19Weeks 3–5
2. Preparation & Mid-Term Evaluation
Demonstration of the first working version (initial code, test prototype, or preliminary experimental results) and a 3-minute progress presentation to mentors. Projects not showing expected improvement are eliminated in this round.
December 20 – 26Week 6
3. Finalizing Results
Completion of practical work, Detailed Analysis Document, and final research paper before winter break: comparative analysis with initial targets, honest scientific explanation of failures, list of limitations, and pathways for improvement.
January 5 – 8Week 7
4. Presentation Preparation
Implementation of final adjustments recommended by mentors and mock presentation (pitch rehearsal).
January 9Week 8
5. Final Pitch Day
Stand exhibition, 5-minute main presentation before the jury, and 3-minute Q&A session.
January 15Week 8
6. Announcement of Results & Awards
Announcement of the Top 10 winners, Wave Journal publication selection, and Award Ceremony.
Required Student Documents
Select a document below to view its required structure and technical rules.
Project Plan (1 Page, due November 28)
The Project Plan must clearly state the following seven points:
Project title, team members, and scientific track.
Problem: Who has what problem and why it matters (3–4 sentences).
Objective or research question: (1–2 sentences). State the hypothesis if applicable.
Method: What you will do and through which sequential steps.
Materials: Tools, apparatus, and data sources.
Expected outcome: What you will be able to show at the end of the project.
Novel value: What you will do that has not been done before. (We do not expect an extraordinary discovery, but rather how you will add new value from your own perspective instead of repeating existing ideas.)
Weekly Work Journal
Continuous progress record maintained throughout the 8-week program:
Every week, the team writes 3–5 lines in their group chat covering four points: what we did this week, what worked, what did not work, and what we will do next week.
At the end of the fellowship, all weekly entries are combined into a single document and submitted to mentors.
The 15-point "Process" score is calculated directly from this journal and your collaboration with mentors.
Results Analysis Document
The Analysis Document streamlines Stage 3 preparation (participants may also draft these sections directly in the Final Document):
Results: Table, graph, photograph, code output, or calculation.
Comparison with target: What you achieved and what you could not achieve.
Failures: What did not work and why (honest scientific explanation).
List of limitations.
Pathways for improvement.
Final Research Document & AI Declaration
Recommended length: 3–10 pages (5–10 pages advised; A4 format, 11 or 12 pt font, 2 cm margins, 1.15 or 1.5 line spacing). Tables, graphs, and essential figures count toward the page range; long code blocks, large datasets, and extra blueprints must be placed in a separate "Appendices" section.
Title Block: Project title, team members, school/university, track, and mentor's name.
Abstract (150–250 words): Problem, applied solution method, and main final result.
Introduction: Nature of the problem, why it matters, and relevance to society or science.
Objective or Research Question: Concrete goals, core question, or tested hypothesis.
Methodology: Step-by-step explanation of tools, materials, and datasets so another researcher can replicate your work (may not be required for every pure Mathematics project).
Results: Concrete findings including tables, graphs, photos, or test/calculation outputs.
Analysis & Discussion: Comparison with initial goals, what worked, and objective explanation of failures.
Limitations & Next Steps: Technical, scientific, or resource constraints and future steps.
Impact: Potential benefit and who can use the solution in practice.
References: Bibliographic list of cited papers, websites, books, and open-source libraries.
Artificial Intelligence & Tool Usage Declaration: If you used AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, etc.), transparently state how they were used (e.g., optimizing code, editing text, brainstorming). Artificial intelligence may never be used to fabricate scientific results, experimental data, or analyses.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are evaluated on a 100-point scale across six criteria.
Criterion
Points
What Is Expected
Problem
10
Clear, intelligible, and substantiated formulation of the problem; relevance of the chosen topic and real-world significance.
Originality
25
Novelty in the idea or problem-solving path; demonstrating a creative, non-standard approach.
Method & Results
20
Proper application of scientific/technical methodology, reliability of experiment/code, accuracy of obtained data, and presentation of a functional final outcome (proof, prototype, software).
Impact
15
Potential benefit of the project, feasibility of real-world application, and positive change for the target audience or field.
Presentation
15
Visual quality of the poster, fluency of the 5-minute pitch, clear communication of ideas, and convincing answers to jury questions.
Process
15
Team discipline throughout the incubator, adherence to deadlines, diligence in the Weekly Work Journal, and effective collaboration with mentors.
Total
100
Top 10 projects are announced at the Award Ceremony and published in the Wave Journal.
Mentor Recruitment & Expectations
We invite national and international science competition winners, olympiad alumni, and university researchers to guide student teams through the 8-week research incubator.
Mentors are alumni and winners of national or international scientific competitions (such as Regeneron ISEF, "Sabahın Alimləri", or international STEM olympiads), university researchers, graduate/undergraduate scholars, and industry engineers across our five tracks: Mathematics, Computer Science & AI, Engineering & Physics, Natural Sciences (Biology & Chemistry), and Hardware & Robotics.
Responsibility
Timeline
What We Expect from Mentors
1. Topic & Plan Approval
Nov 15 – 28
Help teams formulate or refine a concrete research question/hypothesis, select an achievable methodology, and approve their 1-page Project Plan.
2. Weekly Guidance & Logs
Weeks 1 – 8
Hold regular weekly check-ins (1–2 hours per team), troubleshoot technical/experimental blockers, and monitor the team's 3–5 line Weekly Work Journal.
3. Mid-Term Elimination Review
Nov 29 – Dec 19
Evaluate the team's first working prototype, code, or preliminary data and their 3-minute progress presentation. Identify teams that fail to show required progress for mid-term elimination.
4. Manuscript & Pitch Review
Dec 20 – Jan 8
Review the 5–10 page Final Research Document (verifying scientific honesty, proper baseline comparisons, and transparent AI usage declarations) and conduct mock pitch rehearsals before the Final Exhibition.
5. Process Evaluation (15 pts)
End of Program
Assign the team's 15-point "Process & Discipline" score based on deadline adherence, research effort, and compiled Weekly Work Journal records. Mentors are officially credited on published Wave Journal papers.
