The International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene (ICFMH) will sponsor a Student Poster Paper Competition at the Food Micro 2012 Symposium.

1. To encourage students and recent graduates to present their original research in the field of Food Microbiology
2. To foster professionalism in students and recent graduates through contact with peers who attend ICFMH Congresses

1. This competition is open to undergraduate or postgraduate students, including those who have graduated not more than one year prior to the deadline for submitting abstracts
2. The entrant must be the first author of the poster and be present to answer questions for a specified time during the assigned session
3. The work must represent original research completed and presented by the entrant
4. Students may enter only one poster in the competition
5. If an abstract is selected to be presented in an oral paper session, it will be disqualified from the poster award competition
6. Acceptance of an abstract for presentation is independent of acceptance as a competition finalist
7. In addition to following the instructions in the “Call for Abstracts,” competition entrants must indicate if the paper is to be entered in this competition
8. Competition entrants who are chosen as finalists will be notified of their status by the chairperson of the Student Award Committee
9. Entrants must be registered for the Congress

All abstracts submitted for presentation at Food Micro 2012 will be reviewed by the Scientific Congress Committee. Authors will be notified about the acceptance of their contribution. Only eligible abstracts entered in the completion and accepted for presentation as posters will be judged.

A panel of judges will evaluate the abstracts for the poster competition. Up to ten finalists will be selected based on this evaluation. The finalists will be notified in advance of the Congress.

1. Abstract - Clarity, comprehensiveness, and conciseness
2. Scientific Quality - Adequacy of experimental design (methodology, controls, replication), extent to which objectives were met, difficulty and thoroughness of research, validity of conclusions based upon data, technical merit, and contribution to science
3. Poster - Organization (clarity of introduction, objectives, methods, results, conclusions), quality of illustrations, ability to answer questions, and knowledge of subject

The names of finalists will be announced and awards will be presented at the closing session of the ICFMH Congress. Winners will be presented with prizes of 500 Euros and a framed certificate (First Place), 300 Euros and a framed certificate (Second Place), and 200 Euros and a framed certificate (Third Place). All finalists are expected to be present at the closing session.