I think Fusion Community is the best fit, even if these students were off most fusion researchers’ and enthusiasts’ radars until now. I don’t know that I’d call their device a contender until we know more about it (which I’m hoping will happen in a month). It’s achieved fusion on three occasions, but so can Farnsworth fusors, and most people don’t regard the conventional* Farnsworth fusor as a contender for break even.
*Funny how time (or familiarity) changes perspectives. Joan Lisa Bromberg in her 1982 book referred to Farnsworth’s device as “exotic”.
