2026
The contest, which awards 12 million pesos in prizes, is entering its final stretch: registration for the fourth edition of the National Contest for the Best Engineering Theses closes on May 29. Meet the jury and the key evaluation criteria.
INVAP launched the 4th edition of the National Contest for the Best Engineering Theses of the country. The Argentine technology company invites participants to apply to the contest that recognizes outstanding applied research projects in the engineering universe. As part of its fiftieth anniversary, INVAP reinforces its commitment by recognizing the Argentine talent that promotes innovative research and projects: More than 12 million pesos will be awarded in prizes. Last day to register: May 29, 2026.
The Argentine company, a global leader in the development of advanced technology, has appointed the jury for the fourth edition of the National Contest “Best Engineering Theses”, an initiative that rewards academic excellence and the transformative potential of innovative ideas.
The initiative, supported by INVAP Foundation, features a distinguished jury who will evaluate submissions from across Argentina. The awarding of prizes will take place between September and October in the context of the company’s 50th anniversary.
A distinguished jury
The works will be evaluated by a jury of professionals with extensive experience in different branches of engineering, physics, energy and the technology industry, who will contribute their expertise to select the projects with the greatest value and potential impact.
Guillermo Benito. Chair of the Jury. Nuclear Engineer graduated from the Balseiro Institute (IB, in Spanish), a leading figure in INVAP’s Space Area, with nearly 40 years of experience with the company. Benito led the SAOCOM project, was in charge of the Space Area and the Management Integration Department. He currently oversees resource coordination within INVAP’s General Management.
Graciela Ciccia. PhD in Pharmacy and Biochemistry from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA, in Spanish). Executive Director of the Argentine Chamber of Biotechnology, Director of Innovation and Technological Development at INSUD, and Chair of the Technological and Scientific Development Department at the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA, in Spanish). She serves on boards of directors and advisory councils at scientific, academic, and innovation institutions. She was a member of the CONICET Board of Directors and was honored by the Buenos Aires City Legislature as an Outstanding Figure in Science and Technology. With over 40 years of experience, she has led projects from the laboratory to the industry, fostering the creation of science-based companies and public-private collaboration.
Franco Alcaraz. Electronic Engineer with a Master’s degree in Engineering, specialized in Artificial Intelligence. He currently serves as an AI specialist at INVAP, where he leads and contributes to strategic projects related to complex high-technology systems in the aerospace, defense, nuclear, and critical digital infrastructure sectors. His main areas of expertise include machine and deep learning, signal processing, computer vision, and embedded systems.
Diana Balaguer. Chemical Engineer with 40 years of experience in oil refining, petrochemicals, gas processing, and energy transition. She has led engineering projects. Director of Engineering Proposals at Techint Engineering & Construction.
Roxana Cocco. Materials Engineer graduated from the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP, in Spanish). She holds a PhD in Materials Science and Technology (UNMDP). Senior Engineer at INVAP. Lead Engineer in the equipment qualification and reactor aging management area of the PALLAS project.
Verónica Garea. Nuclear Engineer graduated from the IB with a PhD in Engineering Physics from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI, in English). She developed her career at INVAP as a specialist in safety and environmental impact of complex technological systems. She has over 30 years of experience in national and international projects.
Eduardo Nassif. Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the UBA with a PhD in Physics from the National University of La Plata (UNLP, in Spanish), with more than 35 years of experience in technical and management roles within INVAP’s Nuclear Area. Advisor to the company’s General Management on Technological Transfer and Radiological Monitoring Devices.
Ana Caumo. Electronic Engineer graduated from the UNLP, with more than 15 years of experience at INVAP. Project Manager in INVAP’s Space Area. Senior System Engineer.
Isaac Julián. Mechanical Engineer with over 14 years of experience at Pan American Energy in operations, production, and optimization of oil basins in Argentina. Process Optimization Manager and former Operations Manager in Vaca Muerta. Leader in Production, Plants, Engineering, and Well Services.
When is the application deadline? Submissions will be accepted until May 29, 2026; at 5 p.m.
Who can participate? The call is open to Argentine and foreign students and graduates, from public or private universities, whose undergraduate’s, master’s or doctoral theses has been approved between 2025 and May 2026.
Which disciplines are eligible? Nuclear, mechanical, electronic, telecommunications, electromechanical, materials, chemical, aerospace, mechatronics, aeronautical, industrial, biomedical, environmental, electrical and computer engineering programs from all over the country. The most important requirement is that submissions be engineering works with real-world application in solving a problem or aimed at building a future that improves people’s quality of life.
What requirements must theses meet? The theses must answer a question that seeks to solve a technological, social, environmental, production, manufacturing, logistics or any other problem associated with the practice of engineering. Theoretical or computational papers without application will not be considered.
How to participate? To participate, theses must be approved by the educational institution to which the students belong, and must be submitted by the Engineering University, Institute or Department, or by the Thesis Directors.
Important dates: the call for applications is open until May 29, 2026. The jury will evaluate the submissions between June and August. Finalists will be announced in September and the awards ceremony will be held between September and October, in the context of INVAP’s 50th anniversary.
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