BASF recently announced it is sponsoring a North American science competition as part of its 150th anniversary. The competition aims to solve the following challenge: What chemistries can be used to create lightweight solutions with improved end-of-life management?

Open to Ph.D. students and young researchers in the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) in teams of 2-4 participants, the competition reportedly encourages innovative and game-changing ideas that address global lightweight challenges in three areas: Food, Smart Energy and Urban Living. The top five teams will be awarded $5,000 to present their proof-of-concept to BASF executives June 4-5 in Florham Park, N.J. The winning team will win an all-expense paid trip to the BASF International Summer Course in Ludwigshafen, Germany, in August.

“We’re looking to move from a cradle-to-grave mentality to a cradle-to-cradle mentality,” said Elvira Stesikova, Ph.D., project manager. “We see an increased demand for innovative lightweight solutions that can tackle many of these challenges and pave the way to a sustainable future.”

Proposals will be accepted until March 18.

For more information, visit www.basf.us/science-competition.