ICFPA Opens 2026–2027 Blue Sky Awards for Young Researchers and Professionals
SÃO PAULO – The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) today announced the opening of the 2026–2027 Blue Sky Awards, a global competition recognizing innovation across the forest products sector. The 2027 edition marks the 10th anniversary of the awards.
The competition has two categories: Young Researchers, for students and researchers aged 30 or younger as of November 2026, and Young Professionals – PRO, for early-career research professionals aged 35 or younger. Projects may address forestry, forest products, processing technologies, or other innovations across the forest-sector value chain.
ICFPA member organizations will hold national or regional competitions and may advance up to four candidates to the international round, with up to two candidates per category. Applicants should consult the 2026–2027 Terms of Reference for application requirements. National and regional application deadlines are set by the relevant associations. The international judging round will run from May 3 through June 30, 2027.
Three recipients in each category will receive a trophy and be recognized in an official ICFPA press release. Monetary prizes are available only in the Young Researchers category. First-place winners in both categories will be invited to present at the ICFPA Annual Meeting in São Paulo in October 2027, with travel expenses covered by ICFPA. Other finalists may participate through virtual or pre-recorded presentations.
For general information, please contact Matheus Kussuki at matheus.kussuki@iba.org.
