Three great educational trips are on offer for the top teams in the ICT Youth Challenge 2006.

Main sponsors Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are funding a visit to the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston USA for one winning team.

Other winners can look forward to a trip to Microsoft global headquarters in Seattle, courtesy of new sponsors Microsoft Scotland. A third team will be treated to an insight into the innovative work being carried out at BT Centre for Research at Martlesham Heath in Surrey thanks to the competition's long-standing sponsor BT Scotland.

The ICT Youth challenge is a competition that gives teams of young people up to the age of 20 the opportunity to work together with industry experts on ideas for products or services using information or communication technology in new ways. Entries for the latest competition are already coming in from throughout the Highlands and Islands.

A "First Pitch" stage takes place in January, where teams will attempt to sell their ideas to an expert panel using video conferencing facilities, from all around the Highlands and Islands.

Bryan Fraser, Rural Insights and ICT Youth Challenge Content Director, said: "The competition is all about offering young people the chance to work with experts in the ICT and business sectors. Teams enter with a dream or a great idea and often end up with a compelling business opportunity with real commercial potential.

"This year we are keen to see more teams entering from areas of the Highlands and Islands that have never experienced the Youth Challenge before. Once the First Pitch is over, the fun really begins, with the Forum and the Hothouse events that involve taking teams away from their local environment to work on their ideas with experts."

Calum Davidson, head of knowledge economy at HIE, said: "Since the ICT Youth Challenge began we have seen a real increase among the young people who have entered in both their skills and their confidence as they progress through each stage of the competition.

"This competition is unique in the UK and we are delighted that that major organisations like BT Scotland and Microsoft Scotland are actively involved. This shows that something really special is available to young people in our region who want to show how special their ideas are."

Raymond O'Hare, director of Microsoft in Scotland, said: "We at Microsoft are delighted to join other partners in Scotland in support of the 2006 ICT Youth Challenge, a project we believe builds prosperity in our local community. Improving ICT skills is one of Microsoft's top priorities, and it's great to see groups like Youth Challenge pushing the inclusion increased ICT skills can bring to the top of the agenda here in Scotland."

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland general manager, said: "Innovation is at the heart of BT and the research and development work that goes on at our laboratories at Adastral Park in Martlesham is the best in the business. The youngsters who visit there will be thrilled to see the amazing work that's going on creating BT products and services that could help shape their lives in the future."

Applications for initial entries close on December 18. Teams interested in taking part can find out more or submit their ideas on the competition website: www.youth-challenge.co.uk or they can call the Challenge hotline on 08700 636333. Teams must have an adult member - such as a teacher, youth leader or parent.