The APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education is an annual prize that recognizes young scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in scientific research and cooperation with scientists from the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Each year, the host economy selects a theme to guide the ASPIRE prize.
The 2016 APEC host economy Peru selected Technologies for Food Security as the theme for ASPIRE nominations. This theme focuses on innovative technologies that enhance food security, food safety, and nutrition to build resilient and healthy communities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Each APEC member economy is eligible to nominate one young scientist under the age of 40 to be considered for the 2016 ASPIRE prize. These finalists will then be considered by the full APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation for selection as the 2016 ASPIRE prize winner, with prize money in the amount of $25,000.
For interested candidates from the United States, the U.S. State Department is hosting a U.S. ASPIRE competition to identify this year’s U.S. ASPIRE nominee. The competition will invite a winner and five finalists to be honored at an award ceremony in Washington D.C. The winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize and be nominated as the U.S. representative for ASPIRE. The five finalists will receive cash prizes of $1,200 each.
The U.S. ASPIRE competition application is open until April 10. Interested applicants can find more information online.
