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The ICAC RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The ICAC RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD is internationally recognized as the top-most award in cotton science. It is globally accepted as the most prestigious and the highest International recognition for cotton scientists. The Award was initiated by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) in 2009 and as of now it is the only International Award for Cotton Scientists.

THE CRITERIA USED TO GRANT THE AWARD

Researchers from Universities and Public Sector Research Organizations, working in any discipline of cotton production and processing research are eligible to apply for the award. Researchers can apply directly or through heads of their institutions. The ICAC and the Award Panel accept applications (on-line) from February to April 30 each year and the winner is announced in the first week of June.

Applications are evaluated by an Award Panel consisting of five experts located in at least four countries. The Award Panel is anonymous and known only to the chairman of the Award Panel and the ICAC. Applicants will be judged based on the evidence of scientific contribution (research papers, citations, books, patents, innovations, technologies developed and commercialized); awards/recognition (national and international), major contributions to the cotton industry and overall impact on the cotton sector.

The winner is conferred with the title “ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year” and receives a trophy, certificate and an honorarium of US$ 1000 at the ICAC Plenary meeting where 35 to 40 Governments are represented. The winner will be invited to make a special presentation at the ICAC Plenary Meeting .

PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE ‘ICAC RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR AWARD’

  • Dr Keshava Raj Kranthi, India. ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2009 
  • Dr Fred Bourland, USA. ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2010
  • Dr Sukumar Saha, USA, ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2011
  • Dr Yusuf Zafar, Pakistan. ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2012
  • Dr Andrew H. Paterson, ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2012
  • Dr Ibrokhim Y. Abdurakhmonov, Uzbekistan. ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2013
  • Dr Mehboob-ur-Rahman, Pakistan. ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2014
  • Dr Greg Constable, Australia. ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2015
  • Dr McCarthy. USA. ICAC Researcher of the Year Award winner 2016 
  • Dr David M. Stelly. USA. ICAC Researcher of the Year Award winner 2017
  • Dr Baohong Zhang, USA. ICAC Researcher of the Year Award winner 2018
  • Dr John Yu, USA. ICAC Researcher of the Year Award winner 2019
  • Dr Raja Reddy, USA, ICAC Researcher of the Year Award winner 2020
  • Dr Bruce Tabashnik, USA, ICAC Researcher of the Year Award winner 2021
  • Dr Jonathan F. Wendel, USA, ICAC Researcher of the Year Award winner 2021
  • Dr Jodi Scheffler, USA, ICAC Researcher of the Year Award winner 2022
  • Dr Mike Bange, Australia, Researcher of the Year Award winner 2023

Application for the 2024 Award is now opened until 30 April 2024
The winner will be announced in June 2024
AWARD NOMINATION PACKAGE 
Return the Nomination Package at Nominations@icac.org
with the subject 'ICAC RESEARCHER AWARD APPLICATION'

 Application Details to the Award
  • The application form titled ‘Nomination Package’ is available HERE
  • Applications received in any other format and/or incomplete in any respect shall not be considered. 
  • Researchers from universities and public sector research organisations can apply for the award directly or through their heads of institutions. 
  • Researchers from all disciplines of cotton production research, including ginning, fibre quality and textile research are eligible for the award. 
  • Only researchers from ICAC members are qualified to apply. 
  • The list of ICAC members (countries including EU nations) can be found here.
  • Previous applicants can re-apply afresh using the Nomination Package.
  • The last date of submission: 30 April 2024
  • Please send your completed form to Nominations@icac.org with the subject ‘ICAC RESEARCHER AWARD APPLICATION’.
  • The applications will be received directly by the Award Selection Panel. 
  • An independent Award Panel, consisting of five experts from at least four countries, representing the major disciplines in cotton, evaluates and decides the ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year. 
  • The Award Panel is anonymous and known only to the Chairman of the Award Panel. 
  • The Award Panel will judge nominees based on evidence of: major innovative and impactful achievements and contributions to the cotton sector; awards/recognitions (National and International); publications (citations, peer-reviewed papers, books, chapters and conferences presentations). 
  • The Chairman of the Award Selection Panel will notify the ICAC Secretariat of the winner.
  • The winner will be announced in June 2024. 
  • The winner will receive a shield, an honorarium of US$1,000, a certificate, and the title “ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year” at the next ICAC Plenary Meeting. 
  • The winner will be invited to make a special presentation at the Plenary Meeting on his/her contributions to cotton research and his/her vision for the future.