he European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), in conjunction with the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), the Association of European Toxicologists and European Societies of Toxicology (EUROTOX), the International Society of Exposure Sciences (ISES) and Chemical Week, is offering a €100,000 award to support promising new research in the field of environmental risk assessment and management.

In recent years European regulations have tended towards use of hazard criteria to assess the acceptability of substances with highly hazardous properties, such as those classified as SVHC, for example PBTs (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic). This is justified by the higher levels of uncertainty in determining risks to the environment and the potential difficulties in remediation. However, several published case studies indicate that risk assessment is possible for these difficult substances (ECETOC TR 112, 2011). In addition, recent advances in the application of mechanistic insights in fate and effects modelling, and in laboratory and field studies may increase our capability to assess the risks of substances with properties of concern, e.g. those measured or predicted to be P and/or B and/or T.

We are looking for new approaches and techniques that address the challenges in assessing such substances which could include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lab to field extrapolation
• Field assessment
• Weight of evidence assessment

The objective of this LRI Award is to stimulate innovative research, ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking and new approaches which will advance the environmental assessment of hazardous substances.

The research should be complementary to the Long-range Research Initiative’s (LRI) objectives, a chemical industry funded programme that aims at enhancing scientific knowledge to help protect health and the environment. More information is available on the LRI website www.cefic-lri.org (see “About LRI”)

The award is intended for a European-based scientist with less than ten years of expereience after doctoral degree. Active involvement in interdisciplinary research, current academic track record, and access to appropriate networks will be considered in the selection.

The LRI Innovative Science Award will be officially presented at the LRI Annual Workshop on 20 November 2014. The 2014 Awardee will be expected to present the results of his/her research supported by the Award at the LRI Annual Workshop in November 2015.

Deadline for applications: 15 March 2014 (midnight CET)

More information:
http://www.cefic-lri.org/awards