Nutreco selects shortlist for 2022’s Young Researchers Prize

10 candidates shortlisted from 37 original entries submitted by applicants from all continents representing 28 renowned universities
Three finalists to be announced at winner’s ceremony on 11^th October 2022

1 September 2022

Today, we announce we have 10 shortlisted semi-finalists for our 2022 Nutreco Young Researchers Prize and enter the second phase of judging.

The prize, now in its second year, recognises and celebrates the industry’s brightest and most pioneering minds. It is open to all PhD students and first- and second-year post-doctorate researchers working in animal nutrition, livestock production, aquaculture, veterinary sciences and cellular agriculture.

A prime objective of the Young Researchers Prize is to nurture innovative thinking and potentially viable new ideas that could contribute to Nutreco’s overarching purpose of Feeding the Future.

This year, the focus of the prize was on research that addressed at least one of three core challenges facing today’s animal feed and nutrition industry: harnessing the power of novel ingredients and technologies; reducing reliance on antimicrobials; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Candidates were asked to submit a project presentation and a 60-second video explaining why it is a prize-winning solution to one or more of these challenges, which were judged according to four criteria – the quality of application, innovativeness, the business opportunities that could come from the research and its sustainability credentials.

Leo Den Hartog, Head Judge, and Nutreco N.V Board Member and former R&D Director, said: “The calibre of this year’s applications has been outstanding. The quality of thought, rigour of scientific research and standard of creativity in all the entries we’ve assessed, has been some of the highest we’ve ever come across.

“This year’s entries prove without doubt the breadth and depth of young talent that exists within our industry. They have also reinforced our belief in the merits of involving as many smart minds as possible in solving the challenge of sustainably feeding 10 billion people by 2050.

“It’s been a huge privilege for all of us on the judging panel to adjudicate this year’s Young Researchers Prize, and we look forward to announcing the winning project later in the year.”

A second round of judging will see the 10 semi-finalists whittled down to the three most outstanding projects. Referring to the candidates' 60-seconds videos, Nutreco employees will rank the top ten finalists, with the final selection decision to be made by our expert panel of judges.

The three finalists will be invited to an award ceremony taking place in Amsterdam on 11^th October 2022, where the author of the winning project will be announced and will receive a €12,000 cash prize. Those placed second and third will receive €8,000 and €5,000, respectively.

The Nutreco Young Researchers Prize judging panel is made up of leading industry experts in sustainable nutrition from within Nutreco and its livestock feed and aquaculture business lines Trouw Nutrition and Skretting.

Besides head judge Leo den Hartog, members of the panel are: Jose Villalon, Nutreco Corporate Sustainability Director; Coen Smits, Trouw Nutrition Livestock Feed sustainability Director; Jorge Díaz, Skretting Global Sustainability Manager; Susanne Wiegel, NuFrontiers Alternative Proteins Investment Manager; John Doelman, Trouw Nutrition Research & Development Director and Charles McGurk, Skretting Research & Development Director.