NGCE - Next Generation Activities
WCCM-ECCOMAS 2026 is not only about outstanding science—it is also an opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas,
discover Munich, and become part of the international computational mechanics community.
The Next Generation activities organized by the ECCOMAS Young Investigators Committee (EYIC) and the Next Generation in
Computational Engineering Committee (NGCE) offer a wide range of social, networking, educational, and outreach events
throughout the congress week. Whether you would like to explore the city, learn something new, present your research in
an unconventional format, discuss career paths with experienced researchers, or simply connect with colleagues from
around the world, there is something for everyone.
All activities are open to all WCCM-ECCOMAS 2026 participants, regardless of age and career stage, unless stated
otherwise. The only exception is the NGCE Career Lunch, which is specifically designed for early-career researchers and
has limited capacity.
We look forward to welcoming you to Munich and hope you will join us for one or more of the activities below!
Career Lunch
An informal lunch event offering the opportunity to exchange with experienced mentors, discuss career paths, and openly ask questions about challenges and opportunities in academia.
Special Session “Computational Methods for Beginners"
A new session in which invited experts explain their topics in an intuitive and accessible manner, providing an easy entry point to complex computational methods for early-career researchers who do not work directly in these fields.
Arts and Science Contest
A creative competition highlighting the intersection of scientific research and artistic expression. For the first time, the contest will include a physical gallery at the congress, offering increased visibility for artistic and scientific contributions.
Science Slam
A festive evening in a traditional Munich beer hall, where researchers from our community present their work in short, engaging, and entertaining talks for a broad audience.
Pre-Congress City Quest
A professionally organized city quest based on a mobile app, combining sightseeing elements with interactive challenges throughout Munich
Pub Crawl
A guided evening tour through Munich, providing a relaxed and social setting for networking across disciplines and institutions.
ECCOMAS Activities
In addition to the Next Generation Events listed above, several ECCOMAS-wide activities with a strong focus on early-career researchers from Europe will take place during the congress.
ECCOMAS PhD Olympiad
Will be held for the sixteenth time during WCCM–ECCOMAS 2026. Outstanding doctoral theses from across the ECCOMAS community will be recognized, with particular emphasis on excellent scientific quality and clear, engaging presentations. All interested participants are warmly invited to attend the candidates’ presentations.
ECCOMAS Mentor Award
This new recognition will be presented for the first time at WCCM–ECCOMAS 2026, honoring outstanding mentorship and sustained support of early-career researchers within the ECCOMAS community.
EYIC Grant
This early-career boost fund will be awarded, recognizing excellent contributions by a European young investigator.
