Call for nominations The EFCATS young generation catalysis challenge

Background

To strengthen the interactions and meet new people within the European catalysis community EFCATS organizes a catalysis contest for young researchers from all EFCATS member countries. The contest will be held in Wageningen University and Research (WUR), The Netherlands from 9-11 July 2018 with two young researchers (young = PhD students and postdocs/researchers who obtained their PhD after 1 July 2016) from each EFCATS country being involved.

Selection of candidates

Each participant country/national society can now select 2 candidates and inform the local organizing committee of their names and contact details before March 30 2018.

We would like to emphasise that the selection criteria should not (only) be based on number of papers published, etc., but should take account of other abilities as personal motivation, a strong ability to communicate and interact with other team members, the ability to act as a team leader, at the same time showing the imagination required to set up a catalysis project, which is not only scientifically sound, but also challenging and “provocative”.

At the start of the contest the teams will be formed by a draw from the registered participants by the organizers.

Outline of the competition

The goal of the competition will be for the teams of competitors (4-5 members per team thereby representing an international mixture) to write a 10 page research proposal over one and a half days on a predefined topic. The topic will be announced on the first day by the organizers. On the last day of the contest the participating teams have to present their proposal to the EFCATS board and the other participants. Based on the quality of the written proposal and the presentation, 3 prizes will be awarded to the best three teams. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Awards

Each of the members of the winning team will receive a voucher of 500

Each of the members of the first runner up will receive a voucher of 200 .

Each of the members of the second runner up will receive a voucher of 100 .

Location and accommodation

The competition will be held at Wageningen University (Wageningen, the Netherlands.)

Hotels need to be arranged by the participants themselves. We have an option (reserved until 9 June) on 23 double rooms in the Reehorst (reehorst.nl). The cost per room is 69 euros per night excluding breakfast and excluding tourist tax. When booking the room please use the code “WURZOMER”.

This hotel is very conveniently located next to the railway station of ‘Ede-Wageningen’ (5 mins walk) which has a direct connection to Schiphol airport. The bus station with buses to the Wageningen campus is also next to the hotel (travel time less than 20 mins). Assistents will be present on the first day in the hotel to help with the travel.

Costs

The participants have to cover their own travel expenses and accommodation. Lunches, dinners and coffee/tea are included.
The participation is free of charge (only the 2 persons selected by country/national society can participate).

Tentative time schedule

Organizing team: The EFCATS Board (Malgorzata, Angeliki, Bert, Justin, Fabrizio & Harry)

Local organizing team: Fabrizio Cavani & Harry Bitter

Deadlines:

• 30 March: submission of 2 names by the national societies to the organizers ()
• April: organizers will distribute (more) details to the participants
• 9 July: start of contest