21 Aug 2023: Researchers and technologists carrying out projects in a wide range of activities relevant to forest-based science, products using forest-based raw materials, pulp and paper production process improvements or other innovations throughout the value chain are invited to submit their application for the Blue Sky Young Researchers & Innovation Award Europe 2023 or Blue Sky Pro Young Professionals Award Europe 2023 by 29 September 2023. The shortlisted candidates will attend a personalised public speaking training with an experienced English mother tongue coach, will have the opportunity to publicly present their research to Paper & Beyond conference participants and network with an exclusive group of industry experts. The laureates will be automatically submitted to the global ICFPA Contest 2025.
With these awards, we aim to challenge students and young professionals carrying out projects contributing to the resilience of the forest-based sector. The projects may include a wide range of activities relevant to forest-based science, products using forest-based raw materials, pulp and paper production process improvements or other innovations throughout the value chain. The award is not only about research and development; it is about innovation and about being inspirational, and moving our sector towards a sustainable future.
This year for the first time Cepi, in partnership with EUCEPA (the European Liaison Committee for Pulp and Paper), introduces a new category of the award: Blue Sky Pro. Blue Sky Pro Young Professionals is aimed at innovation put into practice: sustainable developments in mills and manufacturing.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
The eligibility criteria for research students are the following:
• Blue Sky Research: To be under 30 years of age
• Blue Sky Pro: To be under 35 years of age
• To carry out research work which could revolutionise the pulp and paper and forest fibre industry in a green and sustainable manner
• To be currently working under the supervision of a European research institute or university (regardless of nationality, no need to be an EU citizen to be eligible) or be working in an R&D or technological department in companies along the pulp, paper and board value chains
• To be fluent in English with good presentation skills
Potential candidates are expected to submit the following material:
• A support letter from their research centre, university, company
• An abstract of their research/innovation topic
• A 60 seconds video of themselves presenting their research/innovation topic
The selection process is conducted by juries composed of representatives from industry, European institutions and the scientific or academic world.
The applicants who put forward the eight best proposals are invited to present their project - in terms of methodology, innovation, feasibility and expected impact - at the upcoming Cepi conference (Consult Paper & Beyond agenda here) in front of industry experts and executives. The shortlisted candidates will attend a personalised public speaking training with an experienced English mother tongue coach, and network with an exclusive group of industry representatives. The laureates will be automatically submitted to the global ICFPA Contest 2025.
APPLICATION
You can submit the application form by 29 September 2023 here.
https://ddlnk.net/EPY-8EOJ2-DFCC112364B8E12FEI6XHO657A7FF084FAC809/cr.aspx