>>> Background
The EFITA Junior Researchers' Prize is designed to stimulate research by junior researchers on the application of ICT in agriculture, food and the environment which will deliver demonstrable benefits to practitioners in these and associated areas. That is, research which will actually make a difference, which will improve profitability and competitiveness or improve the environment or the welfare of animals.

The 'EFITA Prize' will be awarded for projects undertaken as part of PhD. or MSc. studies and is aimed at encouraging young researchers to apply their talent and expertise to real issues.

Nominations will be invited via the EFITA National Member Organisations (NMOs) and the submissions will be judged by a panel selected from the EFITA Council, chaired by the President.

The prizes for the winner and runner-up will be awarded every two years at the biennial conference and the winner and runner-up will be allocated a conference slot to present their work at the conference. All other entrants will be encouraged to present their work in the poster sessions.

>>> Eligibility
To be eligible the research projects must meet the following criteria:

They must have been undertaken by junior researchers as part of their PhD. or MSc. studies/theses.

They must be completed or due to be completed between the date of the previous and next conference. To be eligible for the 2007 prizes, project completion must be in the period from July 2005 to July 2007.

They must be focused on the EFITA subject areas of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food or the environment.

They must have a European focus, including the new member states (NMS) and the Associated Candidate Countries (ACC).

They must be submitted by an individual who is a member of an EFITA national member organization (NMO). Where a project is submitted by a research team, at least one team member must be a member of an EFITA NMO.

>>> Judging Criteria
The judging panel will assess each project against the following criteria:

The project achieving the highest overall mark in each of the two classes will be judged the Winner and the second highest will be designated the 'Runner-Up'.


>>> Prize
The winner will receive a certificate and an invitation to present his or her research project at the next EFITA conference. The prize will include the conference fee and the individuals will receive assistance with travel and accommodation costs.

The runner-up will also receive a certificate and the prize will also include the conference fee but not travel and accommodation costs.
Although group entries are welcome, the conference expenses and fees will only be paid for one individual from the winner and runner-up.


>>> Judging Panel

The judging panel will comprise;
- The current EFITA President
- The current EFITA General Secretary
- Two nominated members
For the 2007 prize the nominated members will be Mr Guy Waksman from the French NMO (AFIA) and Dr Caroline Parker representing the host country (BAITA).

>>> Submission and Closing date

The submission should be in the form of an abbreviated paper of not more than 3000 words and should address the five judging criteria as described above.

Submissions should be sent to Karel Charvat by E-mail at charvet@lesprojekt.cz

The closing date for submissions for the 2007 prize will be Friday 13th April 2007.

Ian Houseman
EFITA Secretary General