Applications are now open!
The Best Thesis Award will be presented at ECO2026, taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye from 12-15 May 2026.
The EASO Early Career Network (ECN) Best Thesis Award aims to recognise early career researchers and their contribution to the field of obesity. Early career scientists are encouraged to apply for the award to gain recognition for their thesis at an international level.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 11 January 2026 – late applications will NOT be considered. Results will be announced in late February 2026 – all applicants will be contacted by email to announce the ECN Board decision.
To be eligible for the EASO ECN Best Thesis Award you must:
- Be nearly completing or have completed your PhD thesis
- Have carried out the majority of work in Europe (although a proportion of work may have been performed outside of Europe)
- Be a member of an EASO affiliated national obesity association
The ECN Best Thesis Award finalists will be invited to present their research at ECO2026 in Istanbul, with complimentary registration and a travel grant provided. The ECN Best Thesis Award will be judged and the winner announced during the session. The winner will receive an award certificate and a €500 cash prize. Please apply using the form below.
Guidance for your application
In your application, please provide a concise summary of your PhD thesis, highlighting its originality, key findings, and contribution to the field of obesity. You should list up to five first-author publications arising from your thesis, noting the SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) classification of each journal. Additional achievements such as awards, grants, or media coverage may also be included as part of your submission. Please note that your thesis must be written in English to be eligible for assessment.
Assessment criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the relevance of the thesis to obesity, consistent use of person-first language, evidence of public engagement, publication and presentation record, and the overall originality, quality, clarity, and impact of the research.