The volume of applications for sponsored places this year has become far greater than we can realistically process currently.  For this reason, we are temporarily pausing further sponsored place applications  and closing our portal 15 days early while we process the huge volume of requests already received.

If the applicants currently under review meet this year’s criteria, we may not be able to reopen additional sponsored places for this year’s prize. This is simply due to the number of applications received and the administrative capacity required to manage them fairly and responsibly.  We will however communicate our plans and if there are any sponsored places available  week commencing 15th June 2026, we will reopen until the 20th June, our original closing date for sponsored places. 

Thank you 

CNP Team