Nominations for the 2015 APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) Prize through APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) is now open. 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.

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. As its host year for 2015, the Philippines selected“Disaster Risk Reduction: Understanding the Role of Climate Change and Variability”as the ASPIRE nominating theme.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.

The winner will be announced during the 2015 ASPIRE Ceremony which is scheduled in August during the 6^th PPSTI Meeting in Cebu, Philippines.

For more information, please visit the 2015 ASPIRE Prize Websites at http://www.apec.org/aspire or http://www.apec.org/Press/News-Releases/2015/0202_ASPIRE.aspx

For questions and inquiries, you may contact Mr. Alex Rogers of the APEC PPSTI on anr13@apec.org or Ms. Tracy Huang, ASPIRE Prize sponsor’s representative on thuang@crowell.com.