COMSOL Innovation Contest Rules

OFFICIAL RULES

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.

1. General. The COMSOL Innovation Contest ("Contest") will begin on March 17, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. eastern standard time ("EST") and will end on September 11, 2026, at 05:00 p.m. EST ("Contest Period"). Before entering the Contest, each entrant must review and agree to be bound by the Contest's Official Rules as set out below. By entering the Contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by the Official Rules and accept the decisions of the Sponsor, as defined below, as final and binding in all respects.

2. Sponsor. The Contest is sponsored by COMSOL, Inc. ("Sponsor"), with an address of 100 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803, and is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), or TikTok.

3. Eligibility. The Contest is only open to individuals legally residing in Canada, the United States of America or the District of Columbia who are above the age of majority in their state of legal residence as of the date of entry. Contest entrants must be authorized users of the COMSOL Multiphysics® software ("Software"). The Contest is not open to the following persons: employees, agents or representatives of the Sponsor, the subsidiaries and affiliates of the Sponsor, the distributors of the Sponsor, COMSOL Certified Consultants, Judges, or employees, agents or representatives of suppliers providing prizes or other materials or services in connection with this Contest, including promotional agencies (collectively, the "Excluded Individuals"); immediate family members (parents, children, siblings and spouses of each) of the Excluded Individuals; and any other persons with whom the Excluded Individuals reside.

4. Timing. The timeline of the contest shall be as follows:

5. How to Enter. During the Abstract Entry Phase, entrants access the Contest website at https://www.comsol.com/conference/boston ("Website") to complete the online entry form for the Contest, which form will require each entrant to complete the following:

(a) Submit an original, previously unpublished 500 word abstract ("Abstract Submission") showcasing your modeling and simulation work using the Software in one of the following categories ("Eligible Category") :

1. Aerospace and defense
2. Automobive, transportation, and mobility
3. Energy
4. Life sciences and medical technologies
5. Manufacturing and process engineering
6. Semiconductors and consumer electronics

(b) Provide at least one image or figure with a caption to be included in the abstract ("Image Submission").

(c) Post an original, previously unpublished video ("Video Submission"), which should include a summary of the Abstract Submission. The Video Submission should be under three (3) minutes.

(d) Mark the check box to accept a Publication Notice which grants Sponsor a sublicensable, nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide, and unrestricted license to use, copy, publicly display, publicly perform, and prepare derivative works of the Entry (as defined below), in whole or in part, and to distribute to the public copies of the Entry and derivative works thereof, in whole or in part, as part of the Conference (as defined below) materials and proceedings and otherwise; and allows Sponsor the right to reproduce the Entry and derivative works thereof in hard copy or electronic form, to archive the Entry and derivative works thereof on one or more Sponsor websites, and to distribute the Entry and derivative works thereof in any manner.

Each Abstract Submission, Image Submission and Video Submission must comply with all of the Entry Guidelines set forth below (online entry form, Abstract Submission, Image Submission and Video Submission, Finalist Submission (defined below) and all other materials submitted in connection with an entry, together, an "Entry").

Each entrant (whether individually or as part of a Team (defined below)) may enter the Contest one (1) time during the Abstract Entry Phase. Entrants have the right to submit an updated Abstract Submission at any time before the Abstract Entry Phase end date and time. The last Abstract Submission received by the Sponsor will be considered the official Abstract Submission for the entrant that is reviewed during the Review Phase. Any Entry received from any person or e-mail address that does not comply with the Entry Guidelines (described below) will be void and disqualified from the Contest.

In the event of a dispute regarding any Entry, the Entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry (i.e., the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address). The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.

6. Entry Guidelines. All Entries must comply with the following guidelines:

1. The Entry must include all of the following: Abstract Submission, Image Submission, and Video Submission.
2. Any Video Submission must be less than three (3) minutes in length and must be submitted through the Website.
3. Any Image Submission must include an electronic image in JPEG, GIF, or PNG format.
4. The text information accompanying any Image Submission must be 1,000 characters or less.
5. The Entry must be in English or French.
6. The Entry (including the copyright in the Abstract Submission, Image Submission or Video Submission) must be owned and originally created by the entrant.
7. The Entry must not previously have won any award.
8. The Entry must not name or refer to any brand or trademark other than its own business as well as the Software and the Sponsor, which marks the entrant has a limited license to use solely to incorporate into their Entry for this Contest and for no other purpose whatsoever.
9. The Entry must not contain any material that is inappropriate, hateful, tortious, slanderous, defamatory, threatening, indecent, violent, libelous, obscene or offensive, refers to dangerous, unlawful or illegal acts, promotes a political agenda, or contains any criminal or civil liability.
10. The Entry must not contain any material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion or religious beliefs nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age.
11. The Entry must not contain any material that violates or infringes upon the rights of any third party, including, without limitation, copyrights, trademarks or rights of privacy or publicity, or that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to any applicable laws or regulations, or whose use by the Sponsor requires a license or permission from or payment to any third party.
12. The Entry must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations in any jurisdiction where the Entry is created.
13. If the Entry identifies any person other than the entrant or a member of the Team, the entrant must have prior to submission obtained such person's consent to the use by the Sponsor of the Entry including such person's name, image and/or other identifying information, as applicable, as permitted hereunder; and
14. The Entry must not contain any material that the Sponsor, in its sole discretion, deems inappropriate for public dissemination.

An Entry may be submitted by an individual eligible entrant or a group consisting of multiple eligible entrants ("Team"). An Entry that is submitted by a Team must be completed and submitted by a single member of the Team who has been designated as the authorized representative of such Team. A Team's authorized representative must have authority and permission from each member on the Team to enter the Team in the Contest, and have the authority and permission from each member of the Team to legally bind the member on the Team, including (without limitation) to the terms and conditions of these Official Rules and to any other required documentation as contemplated in these Official Rules.

By submitting an Entry, the entrant (on their own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of all members of the Team) represents and warrants that they have complied with all of the foregoing requirements and has obtained all permissions, licenses and consents that are necessary to submit the Entry, and for the use of the Entry as permitted by these Official Rules and to verify compliance with the foregoing requirements. Each entrant (on their own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of all members of the Team) agree to provide to the Sponsor at the Sponsor's request copies of all such permissions, licenses and consents. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify entrants or Entries for not meeting any of the requirements outlined above or for any other reasons. Entries cannot be revised or altered once submitted.

If requested, entrant and, if applicable, all members of the Team, will sign any documentation required for Sponsor or its designee to make use of the rights entrant is granting to use the Entry. Sponsor reserves the right to translate French Entries to English and to utilize translation tools.

7. Finalist Selection and Contest Winner Requirements. One Entry from each Category shall be selected by a panel of qualified judges (the "Judges") as potential Contest finalists ("Potential Finalists"). The Sponsor shall notify each Potential Finalist by email on or about August 21, 2026. The Sponsor may, in its discretion, also confirm with Potential Finalists by telephone or in writing. In the event the Sponsor is unable to contact a Potential Finalist despite reasonable efforts to do so, as determined in the Sponsor's sole discretion, and another Potential Finalist will be chosen by the Sponsor. The e-mail notification will include a link that contains a copy of a Release and Eligibility Agreement ("Finalist Form") and other information required to be confirmed as a Finalist ("Confirmed Finalist"). All completed, unamended Finalist Forms must be received by the Sponsor within ten (10) business days after they are e-mailed to the Potential Finalist ("Submission Deadline"). All completed Finalist Forms become the property of the Sponsor and will be verified by the Sponsor. In order to be a Confirmed Finalist, each Potential Finalist, and if a Team, each member of the Team, must complete the Finalist Form which includes representations of eligibility, confirmation of acceptance of the Finalist Prize (defined below) compliance and release of liability (including, in connection with the Finalist's participation in the Finalist Prize) and publicity release. Among other things, the submission of the Finalist Form confirms compliance with these rules, agreement to maintain confidentiality until Confirmed Finalists are announced by the Sponsor, and release of certain parties from any losses, liabilities, damages or claims arising from or related to the Contest. If a Potential Finalist fails to submit the Finalist Form with all information required by the Submission Deadline, the Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify the Potential Finalist, and the Sponsor shall be fully and completely released and discharged from any liability or responsibility in this regard.

Each Potential Finalist must prove they are a Confirmed Finalist by providing identification acceptable to the Sponsor (e.g., state driver's license; state issued identification card; valid passport with address verification; or birth certificate with social security card and photo identification and address verification). If a Potential Finalist declines to participate in the Conference, another Potential Finalist may be selected from among the Entries.

In order to be considered a Confirmed Finalist, the entrant must attend the Conference (defined below) in person. If the entrant is a Team, then at least one Team member must attend the Conference. If a Potential Finalist is not able to attend the Conference in person, they will not qualify as a Confirmed Finalist and the Sponsor will select a different Potential Finalist.

Each Confirmed Finalist must create a slide deck in accordance with Sponsor's template which shall be provided to each Confirmed Finalist prior to the Conference. At the Conference, the Confirmed Finalist must present a ten (10) minute presentation featuring the slide deck and participate in a five (5) minute question and answer session ("Finalist Submission"). Presentations must be presented in English. Each Finalist Submission must also comply with the Contest Entry Guidelines described above.

The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any Finalist Submission for not meeting any of the Entry Submission or Finalist Submission requirements outlined above or for any other reasons. Finalist Submissions cannot be withdrawn, revised or altered once submitted.

All entrants who submit an Entry will be invited by Sponsor to create and display a poster at the Conference ("Poster Submission"), to submit a paper ("Paper Submission"), or both. Paper Submissions may contain a maximum of seven (7) pages and there is no minimum length. Paper Submissions must provide enough information so the entrant's use of the Software can be understood. Finalists are not required to submit a Poster Submission or a Paper Submission to qualify for a Finalist Prize (defined below).

Abstract Submissions, Poster Submissions and Paper Submissions may be added to Sponsor's website after the Conference ends.

8. Judging Criteria The Judges shall use the following criteria when reviewing Entries and Finalist Submissions to select Finalists and Winners ("Judging Criteria"):

1. Use of Software: How advanced and correct is the use of the Software in their work?
   • Is the use of the Software very advanced, advanced, good, basic, or too basic?
   • Is the model or application set up efficiently, using readily available capabilities provided in add-on modules?
   • Is it a single-physics or multiphysics simulation study?
   • Is the model a great example of how to use the Software?
   • Is there specific use of coupled modeling techniques?
     
2. Originality: How complete is their work?
   • Within their field, is the work unique or original?
   • Is their use of multiphysics simulation original or unique in some way?
   • Did new results, methods, or technology arise as a product of their work?
   • For submissions where some details cannot be disclosed, originality should be evaluated based on problem framing, modeling strategy, and uniqueness.
     
3. Usefulness/Interest: How useful/interesting is the work?
   • Has their work contributed to the development of a new product or process?
   • Has multiphysics simulation led to important new insight/understanding or been used to optimize a design or process?
   • Is the topic current within their field, with obvious usefulness either now or in the future?
   • Early-stage work may still receive a high score if it provides meaningful insight or has a promising direction for the future.
     The Judges shall evaluate each category of the Judging Criteria and select a score from 1-5, with 5 being the best possible score.

Scores from the initial Review Phase shall not carry over to the Finalist Submission Judging process. The Judges shall re-apply the Judging Criteria to the Finalist Submission and shall determine, in their distraction, the Winners (as defined below) in the event of a tie.

9. Winner Selection Information. A total of four (4) winners ("Winners", and each, a "Winner") will be selected: a Grand Prize Winner ("Grand Prize Winner"), a Best Presentation Winner "Best Presentation Winner"), a Best Poster Winner ("Best Poster Winner"), and a Best Paper Winner ("Best Paper Winner"). Only Finalists that complete the Finalist Submission process shall be eligible to be a Grand Prize Winner or Best Presentation Winner.

• Grand Prize Winner Selection: One Grand Prize Winner shall be selected from among the Finalist Prize Entries by the Judges using the Judging Criteria.

• Best Presentation Winner Selection: One Best Presentation Winner shall be selected by the Conference attendees based on the Judging Criteria.

• Best Poster Winner: One Best Poster Winner shall be selected by Conference attendees based on the Judging Criteria.

• Best Paper Winner: One Best Paper Winner will be selected by the Judges based on the Judging Criteria.

Odds of winning will depend on the total number of Entries received and the caliber of those entries. Only those who submit a Finalist Submission shall be considered for a Prize. Acceptance of an Entry or Finalist Submission does not constitute a determination by Sponsor that the entrant who submitted the Entry or Finalist Submission is eligible to participate in the Contest or that the Entry or Finalist Submission otherwise complies fully with the Official Rules. In the event of any dispute, the decision of the Sponsor shall be final.

The Sponsor will announce the Winners at the Conference. The COMSOL Conference 2026 Boston ("Conference") will be held at the Boston Marriott Burling, One Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01803 on October 9, 2026.

Sponsor retains the right, in its sole discretion, to change the location of or add additional locations for the Conference.

10. Prizes. Each Confirmed Finalist will receive travel and accommodations to attend the Conference (the "Finalist Prize") including:

• Round-trip coach air transportation from a major commercial airport near the Confirmed Finalist's hometown in the U.S. or Canada to Boston, Massachusetts up to a maximum of $600 USD ($814 CAD), and if the Confirmed Finalist is a Team, $600 USD ($814 CAD) maximum for up to two (2) Team members. If the Confirmed Finalist (and if the Confirmed Finalist is a Team, a Team member), lives within 100 miles of the Conference or if in the judgment of Sponsor air travel is not required due to winner's proximity to the prize location, the air transportation portion of the Finalist Prize will not be awarded and ground transportation will be substituted.
• Three (3) nights standard hotel accommodation (one (1) room, single occupancy) at a hotel selected by the Sponsor for each Confirmed Finalist, and if the Confirmed Finalist is a Team, for up to two (2) Team members; and
• Conference registration fee for each Confirmed Finalist, and if the Confirmed Finalist is a Team, for up to two (2) Team members.

Estimated approximate retail value ("ARV") of travel, accommodations and Conference fees is $1,714 USD ($2,344 CAD) per entrant based on a hypothetical Los Angeles, California departure. The actual value will depend on actual travel dates and location.

Each Confirmed Finalist must travel on the dates determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion or prize will be forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sponsor will make reasonable efforts to select travel times acceptable to each Confirmed Finalist. Trip times subject to availability. Travel must be round trip. Sponsor will determine airline and flight itinerary in its sole discretion. No refund or compensation will be made in the event of the cancellation or delay of any flight. Travel and accommodations are subject to availability. Travel is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Contest, and those set forth by the Sponsor's airline carrier of choice as detailed in the passenger ticket contract.

All expenses and incidental travel costs not expressly stated in the description above, including but not limited to, meals, incidentals, passenger tariffs or duties, airline fees, surcharges, airport fees, service charges or facility charges, personal charges at lodging, security fees, taxes or other expenses are the responsibility solely of the Confirmed Finalist. Sponsor will not replace any lost, mutilated, or stolen tickets, travel vouchers or certificates. Sponsor is not responsible if the Conference is delayed, postponed or cancelled for any reason, in which event that portion of prize is forfeited in its entirety and no substitution will be provided except as in Sponsor's sole discretion. Actual value may vary based on airfare fluctuations and distance between departure and destination. Confirmed Finalist will not receive difference between actual and approximate retail value.

By participating in the Finalist Prize, each Confirmed Finalist (and if the Confirmed Finalist is a Team, a Team member): (a) signifies that they understand, acknowledge and accept that participation in the Finalist Prize may involve danger and/or exposure to risks and hazards (including without limitation as may be due to the inherent risks of travel and as may be due to possible COVID-19 exposure or infection), whether arising from foreseeable or unforeseeable human error and negligence, and that, as a result, he/she may suffer damage to personal property, serious personal injury, illness or even death; (b) signifies that they acknowledges and agrees that the Released Parties have not made any warranties, guarantees or representations about their safety while participating in the Finalist Prize; and (c) warrants and represents that they have evaluated the nature, scope, and extent of the risks involved, and freely and voluntarily agree and assume any and all risks of personal injury, illness, death arising out of or connected with his/her participation in the Finalist Prize.

Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash prize of $50,000 USD ($68,376 CAD) ("Grand Prize"). If the Grand Prize Winner is a Team, the Grand Prize will be divided evenly amongst the Team. The ARV of the Grand Prize is $50,000 USD ($68,376 CAD) .

Best Presentation Winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 USD ($6,838 CAD) . If the Best Presentation Winner is a Team, the Best Presentation Prize will be divided evenly amongst the Team. The ARV of the Best Presentation Prize is $5,000 USD ($6,838 CAD).

Best Poster Winner will receive a paper certificate with no ARV.

Best Paper Winner will receive a paper certificate with no ARV.

The ARV of all Prizes is $65,284 USD ($89,299 CAD).

Prizes are awarded "as is" with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by the Sponsor. Winner may not substitute, assign or transfer prize or redeem prize for cash, but Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value. Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state, local and other tax liabilities, including but not limited to, sales and use taxes, excise taxes, income and withholding taxes, customs duties, fees and like amounts in connection with a prize. The Sponsor is not responsible for any such taxes or expenses. A Form 1099 may be submitted to all appropriate taxing authorities if applicable.

11. Winners List. Names of Winner will be posted on the Sponsor's website and may also be requested by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope before October 31, 2026, to the Sponsor at COMSOL, Inc., Attn: Legal, 100 District Ave., Burlington, MA 01803 USA.

12. Release; Consent to Use Likeness, Voice and Address. Submitting an Entry constitutes 'consent (on an entrant's own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of all members of the Team) to give Sponsor a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, create derivative works from, and display such Entry, in whole or in part, on a worldwide basis, and to incorporate it into other works, in any form, media or technology now known or later developed, including for promotional or marketing purposes without restriction or further notice. Sponsor may utilize any Entry for promotional purposes, advertising and other promotional tools in perpetuity without compensation of any kind to entrant. Entrant waives all moral rights in and to the Entry in favor of the Sponsor and will not have any ownership of intellectual property Sponsor creates using any Entry. If requested, entrant will sign any documentation required for Sponsor or its designee to make use of the non-exclusive rights entrant is granting to use the Entry.

By entering the Contest, each entrant (including all Team members) agree: (a) to abide by these rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects; (b) to release and hold harmless Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, the Sponsor, its subsidiaries and affiliates of the Sponsor and the franchisees and affiliated merchants of each of the foregoing, all prize suppliers, all agents or representatives of the foregoing, including without limitation their advertising and promotional agencies, and each of their respective officers, directors and employees (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, liability, loss or damage whatsoever arising with respect to the Contest or the awarding, receipt, possession and/or use or misuse of any Contest prize and further acknowledges that none of the foregoing persons have made nor are responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee a particular purpose thereof. Prizes awarded may carry their own product warranty, for which the Released Parties have no responsibility of liability; and (c) to consent to the use of his or her name, image, voice, likeness, city and state of residence and/or photographs without compensation in any publicity or advertising carried out in any medium worldwide by the Sponsor and/or its advertising or promotional agencies or sublicensees without limitation or further notification, and without providing compensation or intellectual property rights to the entrant, except where prohibited. Sponsor may utilize any Entry for promotional purposes, advertising and other promotional tools in perpetuity without compensation of any kind to entrant.

13. General Conditions. Entries that are incomplete, mutilated, altered, reproduced, forged, counterfeited or irregular in any way, are automatically void. The Released Parties are not responsible for the following: (a) lost, late, delayed, illegible, inaudible, stolen, damaged, altered, destroyed, mutilated, misdirected, illegal, incomplete or postage due rule requests, entries or prize claims; (b) lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software typographical, mechanical, telephonic, electronic or network relating to or in connection with this Contest, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing of entries, the announcement of the prizes, or in any Contest-related materials; or any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Entrants may also be disqualified if Sponsor learns that the entrant disparages the Sponsor during or after the Contest Period. Entrants should be aware that Sponsor retains the right to take legal action against entrants who commit libel or slander against Sponsor during or after the Contest Period.

The Sponsor fully reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, suspend, terminate or modify the Contest if the Contest is not capable of being completed as planned, including infection by computer viruses or bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, force majeure or technical failures of any sort beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsor, which corrupts or impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper play of this Contest.

The Sponsor is not responsible for printing errors in the Contest materials or these Official Rules. If, due to a production or printing error or other unforeseen error, there are more winners than prizes for any level, the Sponsor reserves the right to award any remaining prizes for that level through a random drawing of all eligible winners for that level. No more than the number of prizes listed herein will be awarded.

No correspondence will be entered into except with potential winners.

By entering the Contest and voluntarily providing your personal information (or, if you are a member of a Team, by allowing a member of your Team to submit your personal information on your behalf) as described in these Official Rules, you agree to the collection and use of your personal information by the Sponsor and its representatives, promotional agencies and marketing organization for the purpose of administering the Contest, including without limitation contacting entrants with respect to the Contest and disclosing the list of winners and in accordance with Sponsor's privacy policy (available at www.comsol.com/privacy-policy ). Your personal information may be used for future Contests and marketing of the Sponsor, its affiliates, representatives, and promotional agencies but will not be used for any other purpose nor will it otherwise be disclosed to third parties, unless otherwise required by law. If you would like to be excluded from all lists used by the Sponsor for any future Contests and marketing by the Sponsor, you may send a letter requesting that you be removed from such lists to the Sponsor at COMSOL, Inc. Attn: Data Protection, 100 District Ave., Burlington, MA 01803 USA, privacy@comsol.com.

This Contest and the terms and conditions contained in these Official Rules shall be exclusively governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the federal laws of the United States of America applicable therein. Any dispute arising hereunder shall be adjudicated solely in the applicable court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA.

This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

If any one or more provisions of these rules are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, effect or enforcement of any other provision or provisions of these rules.

These rules have been published in English and French. In the event of a conflict, the English version of the rules shall control.