FAQs

What is the CSAW 2025 Applied Research Competition?

The CSAW 2025 Applied Research Competition is a contest that assesses top scholarly applied security research from the previous year. The competition is known for drawing some of the best security research globally, with a focus on papers that have been previously published.

Who is eligible to submit papers?

Eligible submissions must meet the following criteria:

  • The paper's topic is related to the design, application, implementation, or exploitation of security technologies.
  • The research is either already in use or has the potential to be applied in practice.
  • The paper was published or camera-ready between 1 September 2024 and 31 July 2025.
  • At least one of the authors is a student enrolled at a university in Canada, Mexico, or the United States as of November 1, 2025 and is available to present the paper during an in-person poster session at the CSAW Finals in New York City in November 2025.

Where can I submit my paper?

Papers should be submitted this Google Form.

What is the deadline for submission?

The submission deadline is Friday September 26, 2025.

What is the review process for submissions?

Submitted papers will be reviewed by a panel of practitioners, academics, and industry experts. Papers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Novelty of the research
  • Importance of the problem addressed
  • Potential impact in practice
  • Current application in practice
  • Overall evaluation

How will I know if my paper has been selected as a finalist?

Authors of selected papers will be notified via email no later than Monday October 6, 2025. Finalists will receive confirmation of their travel and accommodation arrangements by Friday October 10, 2025.

What happens if my paper is selected as a finalist?

If your paper is selected, you will be invited to present your research in person at the CSAW Finals held at New York University’s Brooklyn campus on Friday November 7, 2025. Finalist teams must confirm the student author who will present the paper.

Are there any prizes for the competition?

Prizes vary by region, and detailed information can be found on the CSAW regional webpages.

How will my personal data be used?

Personal data (ie, name, school, email) that is collected through the registration process is accessible only by the competition organizers and is used for the following purposes:

  • Reminding registrants of competition timelines, rules, and updates
  • Determining and contacting finalist teams and team members
  • Announcing the names of finalist and winning team members on csaw.io/research
  • Examining multi-year participation of teams and individual player
  • Determining and reporting total number of teams and total estimated individual participation
  • Determining and reporting demographic trends related to participation, such as what countries have the highest number of teams participating
  • Sending occasional updates regarding future CSAW events

Aside from announcing finalist and winners’ names, CSAW will not rent, sell, or share personal data with anyone other than the competition organizers.

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information, you can contact the organizers at: csaw-research-north-america@nyu.edu.

These FAQs provide a concise overview of the key rules and submission guidelines for the CSAW 2025 Applied Research Competition. For more detailed information, please visit the official CSAW website: https://www.csaw.io/