THE BT Young Scientist competition has received two funding boosts ahead of the 2015 event. It has announced a £62,500 accommodation grant while the Department of Education is increasing funding for participating schools by 50 per cent to £2,050. Education minister John O'Dowd said the awards play "an important role in encouraging our young people to study STEM subjects and pursue a STEM career thereby growing an innovative and prosperous economy". BT Northern Ireland chief executive Colm O' Neill said: "We understand that school budgets are under pressure and I would like to thank the minister and his department for the generous top up funding which will be added to the significant funding that BT already commits to schools under the grant scheme. The exhibition will take place in the Dublin RDS from January 7-10, and the closing date for entries is October 1.