ASPIRE Prize 2015

The APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (“ASPIRE”) is an annual award which recognizes young scientists who have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies.

The ASPIRE Prize supports APEC’s mission to:

• strengthen international science and technology networks;
• enhance economic growth, trade and investment opportunities in harmony with sustainable development, through policies, innovative R&D and technologies, and knowledge sharing; and
• improve linkages and efficiency between research and innovation.

2015 Nomination Theme: "Disaster Risk Reduction"

Each year the APEC host economy is asked to provide a theme to guide nominations for the ASPIRE Prize to be awarded in their host year. For its host year of 2015 The Philippines selects "Disaster Risk Reduction" : Understanding the Role of Climate Change and Variability. This theme focuses on innovative technologies that may help economies adapt to the changing climate, protect the natural environment, and build resilient and sustainable societies. Nominations are therefore sought from young scientists under the age of 40 in subjects such as: sustainable development, environmental studies, ecology, disaster management, urban planning, and engineering, among others.

Each member economy, through its representative on the APEC Policy Partnership for Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI), is invited to nominate one young scientist under the age of 40 to be considered for the 2015 ASPIRE Prize. Nominees should demonstrate excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication, and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies.

ELIGIBILITY

Any citizen of an APEC member economy is eligible to be nominated for the ASPIRE Prize. He/she must be living at the time of his/her nomination and be under the age of 40 as of 31 December of that year (i.e., all 2015 nominees must be under the age of 40 as of 31 December 2015).

SELECTION PROCESS

Each member economy, through its representative on the APEC Policy Partnership for Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI), is invited to nominate one young scientist under the age of 40  to be considered for the 2015 ASPIRE Prize.

Individually qualified applicants are encouraged to complete the "ASPIRE 2015 Local Nomination Form" and send it to Mr. Alex Rogers ([email protected]) of the APEC PPSTI by 20 April 2015 so it may be directed toward local economy reviewers.

Once nominations are received PPSTI members rank the nominees through a selection ballot to determine the winner. PPSTI members are asked to judge the nominees based on how well they have demonstrated:

• excellence in scientific research, as evidenced through scholarly publication;
• commitment to cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies; and
• contribution to the theme selected by that year’s host economy.

ASPIRE PRIZE SPONSORS

Wiley and Elsevier, two of the world’s leading publishers of scholarly scientific knowledge, have committed to funding prize money in the amount of $25,000 USD.

ASPIRE PRIZE WINNERS

		2014: Dr Agachai Sumalee (Hong Kong, China) Science, technology and innovation development officials from APEC economies have named Dr Agachai Sumalee, a Thai professor based in Hong Kong, China, the winner of the 2014 APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research, and Education. Dr Sumalee was selected from a pool of scientists under the age of 40 for creating a ground breaking road traffic management system that has slashed commuting times in the greater Bangkok area and was developed in collaboration with researchers from across the APEC region. Read news release here. Read in-depth feature article on Dr Sumalee's winning technology.
		2013: Dr. Carissa Klein (Australia) Dr. Carissa Klein of Australia was awarded the APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) by Gusti M. Hatta, Indonesia’s Minister of Research and Technology. Dr. Klein’s selection is a result of her research with the University of Queensland that uniquely addresses the issue of sustainable ocean development by striking a balance between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic viability. Read news release here.
		2012: Dr. Rossa Wai Kwun Chiu (Hong Kong, China) Russia selected health innovation as its 2012 ASPIRE nominating theme, building on its desire that APEC actively foster cooperation among economies in major innovation areas, such as human health, to support healthy lifestyles, productivity and economic growth. Dr. Chiu’s groundbreaking research and innovations in chemical pathology has brought non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic diseases into routine clinical use around the world. Read news release here.
		2011: Dr. Ali Javey (United States) The United States selected green growth as its ASPIRE nominating theme, building on its desire that APEC actively promote environmentally sustainable economic growth and development, and help economies successfully transition to a clean energy future. Dr. Javey’s innovative work with nanomaterials has made great strides in developing a new generation of solar energy technology and reducing energy consumption in "green electronics." Read news release here.