Australia’s next generation of forest and forest product researchers and innovators have the chance to showcase their work, present to a global meeting of forest association CEOs and win a cash prize through the Blue Sky Young Researchers Innovation Award for 2022/23.
Launching the Australian section of the prestigious International Council of Forest Product Associations (ICFPA) award, Australian Forest Products Association CEO Ross Hampton said these awards represented a wonderful opportunity for local talent to gain recognition on the world stage.
“This is an exciting time for forest and forest products industries in Australia and around the world. Demand for timber and wood products is set to triple in coming decades. We are also in the box seat for the emerging circular economy with our truly sustainable and renewable industry,” Ross Hampton said.
“It is fitting that the theme for this year’s awards is building a lower carbon economy with climate positive forestry and forest products, given the role that we can play with increasing sequestration, low emissions construction and providing renewable substitutes for fossil fuels in energy and plastic replacements.
“Our young innovators are so important for industry as we tackle big challenges through to 2050 and beyond. AFPA is proud to coordinate the Australian entries, and I can’t wait to find out more about these new ideas and projects.”
The Blue Sky Young Researchers Innovation Awards is a global competition for students and young researchers who are passionate about a range of activities relevant to forest-based science, products using forest-based raw materials, process improvements, or other innovations throughout the forest sector value chain.
AFPA is offering a top prize of $1000 for the best entry, with a runner up to receive $500. Both winners will then go on for consideration in the global award, with three recipients from around the world given an opportunity to present to the ICFPA CEOs forum in April/May 2023.
Applicants need to be students or other researchers under 30 years of age on 1 March 2022, and carrying out research innovation projects relevant for forestry, forest products processing technologies and forest products in academia, at a public or private research centre or company research or innovation department.
Entries close on 27 May 2022, with the winners to be announced at the AFPA June quarterly meetings in Brisbane.
For more information or to submit an entry, visit the AFPA website.
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