Atlanta, Ga. – TAPPI and the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepting for the U.S. segment of the Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Award.

Sponsored by the International Council of Forest & Paper Associations (ICFPA), this international award recognizes students, researchers, and engineers who are carrying out projects relevant to forest-based science, products using forest-based raw materials, process improvements, or other innovations throughout the value chain.

The theme for the 2018-2019 awards program is Forest-based products and services – How disruptive technologies are revolutionizing the future.

Subcategories include, but are not limited to:

• Future Generation Forestry: forest tree breeding and biotechnology; precision forestry; measurements and inventory
• Innovation in the Forest-based Industry: analysis and properties of pulp and paper; facilities, instrument and process control; bioproducts and wood chemistry; recycling, deinking and environment; timber for construction; material substitution with wood.

Winners will have the opportunity to present their projects in front of an audience of global forest products industry CEOs at the ICFPA’s International CEO Roundtable meeting May 6-8, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada.

Award Application Requirements:

• Applicants should be 30 years old or under. The application package should include the following items:
• Short CV (one page maximum)
• Statement of purpose (500 words; double spacing; font Calibri 12) that includes:
• Objectives
• Description of project
• Summary of methodology
• Expected results
• Relevance to forest products industry
• How it fits with the selected theme
• What makes it innovative
• One Letter of Support

The deadline for submitting applications is November 15, 2018. Complete application packets should be emailed to Katie Missimer, [email protected]. 

For further information or questions, please contact:
AF&PA: Katharine Eaton, Manager, Communications, [email protected] 
TAPPI: Lisa Lockwood, Member Engagement Manager, [email protected]