Laptop and notebook on table

GCUA 2030 Award

Page reviewed:  26/03/2025

This award is a great opportunity for PhD students or recently graduated PhD students to communicate their research to a broad audience globally. Note that application for 2026 is not open!

GCUA 2030 is a network of university partners from across the globe, representing different disciplines with a key objective to equip the next generation of researchers, teachers and academic leaders with knowledge, tools and networks that will strengthen their capacity to work across disciplines and conduct translational research.

The prize sum is 3500 EUR for the winner, 1000 EUR for the second place and 500 EUR for third place. The prize sum will go via each institution and be part of the laureates research funding. The laureates will also be given the opportunity to present their research in a GCUA 2030 webinar.

Eligible candidates are PhD students or those who defended their thesis in 2025 or is about to do so in 2026 at one of the GCUA 2030 member universities.

Note! Deadline is 13 November 2026. 

Each member university can nominate up to three candidates for the prize. Send your nominations to GCUA@slu.se with:

  • An abstract of the research in English (max 250 words) together with a graphic abstract emphasising 3-5 main points
  • A motivation of how the research contributes to sustainable development including potential for impact (250 words)
  • A video presentation in English summarising the research in a popular scientific way for a broad audience focusing on how the research contributes to sustainable global development throughout the video. The video should be maximum two minutes. We strongly recommend that English subtitles are included.
  • Interview – the top five nominees will be invited to a short interview (online) to further reflect on the sustainable impact of their research.

Consider that all parts, both oral and written, are targeting a non-scientific audience.

 

Also include: 

A form filled in by focal point to assure the university/institution can receive the monetary prize. This will be sent in no later than 13 November 2026.  Follow link to form here

Except the attached files, the e-mail should also contain

  1. Full name and e-mail address to the nominee
  2. Full name and e-mail address to the contact person
  3. Title of project/thesis. 
  4. A short declaration on how AI has been used (e.g. : “Used ChatGPT to generate ideas” or “Used Gemini for grammar checking.” Note! This is eligible for award consideration. 

The final winners of the GCUA 2030 award will be selected by an international expert panel.