Young Observer Program

Established by the U. S. National Committee (USNC) for IUPAC in 1977 to foster interactions with internationally acclaimed scientists in various fields, the Young Observer Program strives to introduce the work of IUPAC to a new generation of distinguished researchers and to provide an opportunity to address international scientific policy issues. The USNC sends U.S. Observers (citizens or permanent residents) under the age of 45 from industry, academia, and national laboratories to the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress and General Assembly, held every two years. To date, the program has supported over 150 scientists, over 15% of whom have continued to serve on IUPAC activities and contribute at the international level. Selected by IUPAC and the National Adhering Organizations of Canada, the United States, and United Kingdom, the 2007 Young Observers (YOs) attending the IUPAC General Assembly (GA) and Congress in Torino, Italy in August 2007 included 17 chemists, representing various disciplines in both academia and industry. The U.S. YOs joined participants from 6 other countries: Canada, Poland, Romania, Mauritius, Russia and the United Kingdom. Young Observers who attended an orientation and welcome reception prior to the GA gained insight about IUPAC’s structure and various divisions. Several YOs presented posters or gave presentations during the Congress. As is the custom in past General Assemblies, YOs were encouraged to participate in both the GA and Congress sessions related to their professional interests. Prior to the GA’s closing ceremony, YOs were encouraged to attend a final feedback session, which was an opportunity for them share and reflect on their individual experiences.				2009 Young Observer Program: Travel Awards to Glasgow, UK The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry will hold its 45th General Assembly and 42nd Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, in August 2009. The USNC/IUPAC will be providing travel grants of up to $2,500 to outstanding U.S. scientists and engineers as part of the 2009 Young Observer (YO) Program. Graduate students & postdoctoral researchers and career scientists and engineers (under age 45) are encouraged to apply. Submission deadline: November 15, 2008 Download the 2009 YO Application Materials (87 KB).
				“Young Observer Programs: Getting New Experts Involved in IUPAC” Download the 2002 Chemistry International article (28 KB PDF) by Ed Przybylowicz, a former USNC/IUPAC Chair.
					Eric Borguet Kathleen A. Kelly Scott Oliver Mohammad Movassaghi Chang Ryu Michael J. Scott View 2007 YO Biographies (79 KB PDF).
Revised:22 August 2008