This is the fourth edition of the Natural Refrigeration Award, which since 2005 has been presented on a biannual basis to the best scientific dissertation in the field of natural refrigerants.

Rationale for the awards

"With the Natural Refrigeration Award, we want to support young scientists and give an international incentive for further research work into refrigeration with natural refrigerants", says Monika Witt, Chairwoman of eurammon. "In the context of the current climate debate, the aim must be to make refrigeration more sustainable and promote the use of natural refrigerants. Natural refrigerants are not only environment-friendly but also energy-efficient and will therefore assume a more significant role in future."

The prize

eurammon has joined forces with the technical faculty of Rijeka University, Croatia, and the Russian trade magazine, Refrigeration Business, to award the prize of €5,000.

Moreover, during the award ceremony, winners will get the chance to present their dissertation to an international audience.

How to apply

The awards are open to all graduates from universities, colleges and similar educational institutions whose scientific work has been acknowledged as a Bachelor's/Master's dissertation or comparable qualification. The dissertation must be devoted to the issue of refrigeration with natural refrigerants, such as hydrocarbons, ammonia, carbon dioxide, or water, and be assessed between January 2010 and June 2011.

The submission must consist of an English abstract, a completed application form (click here to download the application form) and the dissertation.

Next steps

The closing date for submitting applications for the award is 30 June 2011. An international jury made up of representatives from science, business and the media will decide on the winner, who will be presented with the prize in autumn 2011.