BT is reminding schools across Northern Ireland that financial assistance is available for those competing in the forthcoming BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.  The BT Travel & Accommodation Grant Scheme, created for students taking part in the world renowned science competition, last year provided 29 grants to 17 schools across Northern Ireland. But BT wants to ensure that even more schools take advantage of the scheme.

Colm O’Neill, CEO, BT said “We understand the financial challenges schools and parents face in these uncertain economic times.  This grant scheme is an investment in young people, ensuring that they have every opportunity to showcase their talent and can seize the benefits that this excellent exhibition can bring them.

“We want more Northern Ireland schools to understand that there is substantial assistance on offer and that costs do not need to be a barrier to entry to the competition.”

Speaking about the grant scheme teacher Ann Blanking from St.Mary’s College in Derry~Londonderry which has received £5,500 in financial aid to date said, “The grant made available by BT supported our school in taking part in the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in January and we had the opportunity to exhibit seven projects, the highest ever number of projects exhibited by any Northern Ireland school.

“Last year the college was recognized for its efforts as we won the inaugural Best Northern Ireland School Overall Award, sponsored by MATRIX. The event is a unique experience which really made all of the students consider their future career options. We all had a great time and once again we are really looking forward to demonstrating our innovative ideas at BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2013.”

Schools which are located over 70km from the RDS where the competition takes place, can apply for a grant of £135 per individual entry or £275 for a group entry, up to a maximum of £1,350 per school.

The exhibition is organised by BT, one of the world’s leading communications and IT services companies. The closing date for project submissions for the 2013 exhibition is fast approaching – 1st October 2012 - and BT is hoping to break a new record for entry numbers.

The BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition will take place in the RDS, Dublin from January 9th – 12th 2013.  For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com, check out http://www.facebook.com/BTYSTE, follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/btyste.

Captions:Pic 0003: BT is urging schools across Northern Ireland to take advantage of financial assistance which is available for those competing in the forthcoming BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.  The BT Travel & Accommodation Grant Scheme, created for students taking part in the world renowned science competition, last year provided 29 grants to 17 schools across Northern Ireland. Pictured are students Eryn Anderson and Gemma Hawthorne from Wellington College, Belfast who last year received a grant from BT with Colm O’Neill, CEO BT. For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com, check out http://www.facebook.com/BTYSTE, follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/btystePic 0005a: BT is urging schools across Northern Ireland to take advantage of financial assistance which is available for those competing in the forthcoming BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.  The BT Travel & Accommodation Grant Scheme, created for students taking part in the world renowned science competition, last year provided 29 grants to 17 schools across Northern Ireland. Pictured are Gemma Hawthorne from Wellington College, Belfast who last year received a grant from BT with Colm O’Neill, CEO BT.  For more information on the exhibition, log onto www.btyoungscientist.com, check out http://www.facebook.com/BTYSTE, follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/btysteENDSFor media enquiries, please contact:Lyn Sheridan or Louise Carson, Aiken PR, 028 9066 3000 or louise@aikenpr.co.ukOrPriscilla O’Regan, Head of Communications, BT Ireland, 01 432 5162 or 086 633 5398About BTBT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.In the year ended 31 March 2012, BT Group’s revenue was £18,897m with profit before taxation of £2,445m.British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.btplc.com