Young@ISTA

In this context, in order to ensure the continuity of ISTA’s legacy, succession planning is critical. Therefore, there is a need, as a first step, to attract talented professionals/researchers/analysts/scientists, who are willing and able to contribute to the work of ISTA for the benefit of their home country, organisation, and personal career development. Recognising this ISTA has instigated a special programme i.e. Young@ISTA programme. This will also help to promote the mission of the Association and also spread the knowledge of ISTA worldwide to a demographic that ISTA has not always succeeded in reaching.

Aims:

• To promote a young generation of seed professionals to be part of the continuing activities of ISTA in the development, adoption and publishing standard procedures for sampling and testing of seeds and uniform application of the procedures for evaluation of seeds.
• To encourage those seed professionals to be active in ISTA and build capacity in seed testing, seed science and technology and policy planning to meet the present and future challenges facing the seed industry.
• To empower those seed professionals to lead innovative solutions for seed science and testing to support global agriculture in ensuring food security.
• To facilitate an ongoing contribution of seed professionals within ISTA including emerging scientists engaged in seed science and technology research and education, and seed analysts and technologists in laboratories and support organisations, through the global platform that ISTA provides.

Eligibility criteria should include one or more of the following:

• Young@ISTA means early in their career in the seed sector; ideally not older than 40 years of age
• Individuals should have a qualification in seed testing/sampling/science/technology or allied subjects or any relevant branches of agriculture/ plant science/crop science, as well as relevant work experience.
• Individuals with involvement in seed testing, sampling, science and technology for a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience.
• Individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to work for seed testing, sampling, science and technology. Every topic applied to seed science and technology can be considered like seed biology, image analysis, statistics, molecular testing. Individual should have continued connection with professional seed organisations like research institutes, laboratories, universities etc.
• Individuals should have had involvement in at least one ISTA activity. E.g. oral communication or poster presentation in any one of the ISTA Meetings or congresses or participation in capacity building activities (e.g. workshops, projects or working groups) or any other ISTA related activity. ISTA is internationally recognised as a key organisation for seed and food security. As a part of this mission ISTA is committed to developing, adopting and publishing standard procedures for sampling and testing of seeds; promoting the uniform application of these procedures for evaluation of seeds moving in domestic and international trade; and promoting Seed Science research and education across the globe and therefore making a valuable contribution to food security. For this purpose, ISTA accredits sampling entities and seed testing laboratories to ensure the uniform application of ISTA Rules and the issuing of ISTA Certificates.

Supportive Action:

• One-time direct financial support in the ISTA Events like workshops, trainings (including lab-to-lab training), annual meetings, congresses, conferences including travel bursary for attending the course in ISTA and also financial support for research publication may be included. 
• The number of Young@ISTA supported financially will not exceed 10-15 individuals per year.
• Annual total Budget amount for all activities allocated will be 25kCHF.