IULTCS Young Leather Scientist Grant Programme 2025 announced

The IULTCS Young Scientist Grant Programme for 2025 is underway. The details follow and further information can be found on the IULTCS website https://iultcs.org/ or by contacting the IUR chair, Dr Volker Rabe (Volker.rabe@tfl.com).

Background:
The IULTCS is committed to co-operation between the individual member societies and to providing a platform to promote the latest innovations in the field of leather science and technology via the global IULTCS congresses organised every 2 years by a regional member society.
In addition, the IULTCS would like to make a more direct contribution to leather research through its IUR Commission and at the same time provide additional support for younger scientists. The Young Leather Scientist Grants were created to recognise outstanding achievements in 3 categories by individual young scientists. The grant is freely available to the winners. Optionally, the winners are also given the opportunity to present their award-winning work at an IULTCS congress.

Award categories
1) Basic Leather Research Grant– Sponsored by TYSON Leather (1500 €)

• Basic research in collagen and/or leather.
• Analytical method development
• Innovative leather processing or new chemicals thereof
• Hide/skin preservation.
• Tannery waste treatment
• Environmental studies applied to the tanneries

2) Professor Mike Redwood Sustainability/Environmental Grant sponsored by Leather Naturally (1000 €)

• Innovative environmental techniques e.g. wastewater treatment, solid waste and emissions
• Studies on sustainability leather processing
• New chemicals for leather processing improving environmental impact
• e.g. carbon footprint and/or water management.

3) Leather Machinery/Equipment Grant sponsored by Italprogetti (1000 €)

• Innovative new machinery for leather processing
• Simplification and/or rationalization of leather production
• Increased efficiency through e.g. energy savings

Admission requirements for applicants
Not older than 35 years (date of submission)
Student or scientist at a university or a leather school
Having an advisor at his/her institution

Application Procedure:
The Document Form must be completed and saved as one PDF file only and identified as: YLSG_year_applicant name.
Leave one empty page between the documents.
Applications must be assigned to one of the categories.
The complete application form to be submitted to the IUR chair Dr. Volker Rabe (Volker.rabe@tfl.com) must have the following parts:
1) Application Form
2) Research Project Plan. Include Title, Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Hypothesis/Expected results, benefit for the local and/or global leather industry in one sentence and Literature. Maximum 3 pages.
3) Curriculum Vitae of the applicant (one page)
4) Curriculum Vitae of the advisor (one page)
5) Letter of recommendation from the advisor (one page)
Note: Applicants that do not follow the above rules will have their submission rejected.

Award criteria & Selection:
The application will be evaluated and ranked based on the following criteria:
1) Clear aim of the research
2) Methods
3) Expected results
4) Originality of the research
5) Correct citation
6) Global or local benefit of the research
The qualifications of the researcher and the advisor will also be evaluated. The Selection Committee has not been established; it will be made by renowned scientists on the field.

Timeline:
September 2, 2024, launch the YLSG 2025, with rules on the IULTCS web site and press release
November 30, 2024, deadline for submissions
January 30, 2025, winner selected and press release
February 15, 2025, payment of the award and sending the IUR/IULTCS certificate

Report:
The winners must complete a final project report which has to be submitted to the IUR Commission Chair by February 28, 2026.
The report should be accompanied by a one-page review of the project by the advisor and will be posted on the IULTCS/IUR web page.