CLEANUP 2026 AWARDS

CleanUp 2026 - Poster Award

Purpose of the Award

The CleanUp 2026 Scientific Poster Competition Award recognises outstanding scientific, technical, and innovative contributions that align with CleanUp 2026 objectives and themes, including environmental cleanup, pollution prevention and remediation, waste reduction, resource recovery, and circular economy solutions. It highlights research and applied work that advances practical approaches to restoring and protecting environmental systems and improving sustainability outcomes.

The award aims to encourage students, researchers, and early career professionals (upto 5 Yrs experience) to showcase high-quality scientific work that addresses current and emerging environmental challenges. Posters should demonstrate originality, scientific excellence, practical relevance, and potential impact on environmental outcomes.

All students, researchers, and early career professionals (up to 5 yrs experience) presenting a poster at CleanUp 2026 are eligible for consideration.

Three awards will be presented:

  • First Poster Award Winner
  • Second Poster Award Winner
  • Third Poster Award Winner

Notes:

  • Poster presenters will present their poster to a panel of three independent judges during the designated poster judging session.
  • Only one poster per delegate may be considered for the competition.
  • The judges’ decision is final.


Assessment Criteria

Content – The Poster Demonstration

  • Clear objectives and key messages
  • Strong scientific and technical content
  • Appropriate methodology and analysis
  • Originality and innovation
  • Significance and relevance of the work
  • Well-supported conclusions

Organisation and Design - The poster demonstrates

  • Logical structure and professional layout
  • Effective use of graphics, figures and visual aids
  • Readability and appropriate font sizes
  • Clear identification of the topic, objectives and outcomes
  • Information that is easy to understand and navigate

Presentation and Delivery – The presenter demonstrates (physical presence required)

  • Professionalism and confidence
  • Effective engagement with judges and attendees
  • Clear and concise verbal communication
  • Appropriate use of technical language
  • Ability to answer questions accurately and effectively

Overall Impact
  •  Overall quality, significance, and effectiveness of the poster and presentation.


Terms and Conditions 

Definitions

For these Terms and Conditions:

  • Organiser means the crc for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (crcCARE). 
  • Judges refer to individuals appointed by crcCARE to assess the poster presentations. 
  • Judging Panel means the panel comprising the appointed Judges.
  • Recipient means a winner of the Award.

1. General Conditions

  • The presenter must be physically present during the judging session to be eligible for assessment.
  • Only one poster per delegate may be entered into the competition.
  • Posters must align with the conference themes and topics listed on the conference website.

2. Eligibility

  • The competition is open to students, researchers and early career professionals (up to 5 yrs experience) accepted to present posters at CleanUp 2026.
  • The presenter must be the author or co-author of the work presented. 
  • crcCARE funded research and projects are also eligible for the poster competition

3. Confidentiality

  • Information provided to the Organiser and Judges will be treated confidentially.
  • By displaying a poster at the conference, presenters grant the Organiser permission to display the poster as part of the conference program and judging process.

4. Submission Deadline

5. Judging Process

The Organiser reserves the right to exclude any poster that does not meet the eligibility requirements or assessment criteria.

6. Notification

  • All submissions will be treated confidentially.

7. Declaration of Interests

  • Judges must declare any actual, perceived, or potential conflict of interest and will not participate in the assessment of posters where such a conflict exists.

8. Award Presentation

9. Limitation of Liability

  • The Organiser will take reasonable steps to ensure the Award is conducted fairly and professionally.
  • The Organiser accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, or expense incurred by participants arising from their participation in the Award.

10. Promotion

  • Winners agree to participate in reasonable promotional activities associated with the Award, including photography, media releases, and conference communications.

11. Award Benefits

The following prizes will be awarded:

  • First Poster Award Winner – To be advised
  • Second Poster Award Winner – To be advised
  • Third Poster Award Winner - To be advised