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IUNS Jo Hautvast Nutrition Leadership Award

For early- and mid-career nutrition scientists demonstrating outstanding leadership in nutrition science

Background

The IUNS Jo Hautvast Nutrition Leadership Award recognises an early- to mid-career nutrition scientist who is making outstanding contributions to leadership in nutrition science.

  • One award will be granted 
  • Prize: £3,800 (USD $5,000)
  • The recipient will receive a certificate from IUNS
  • The inaugural award (2026) will be announced at the IUNS 80th Anniversary Event in London on 13 November 2026. Attendance at the event is not mandatory.

Professor Jo Hautvast was a globally respected leader in nutrition science whose career combined scientific excellence with a deep commitment to leadership development and capacity building. He was instrumental in establishing the European Nutrition Leadership Programme (ENLP) in 1994 and is widely regarded as its “founding father.” The programme has shaped generations of nutrition leaders and inspired similar initiatives worldwide.

He held numerous international leadership roles, including serving on the IUNS Council (1985–1997) as Secretary-General. In 2025, his exceptional contributions were recognised with the IUNS Living Legend Award. Professor Hautvast’s career exemplified sustained global impact, leadership development, and visionary leadership.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be affiliated with an IUNS Adhering Body in good standing 
  • Be an early- to mid-career researcher, defined as within 15 years of completing their highest degree, excluding career interruptions (e.g. parental leave, illness) 
  • Be actively engaged in nutrition science, with a track record appropriate to career stage (broadly defined, including public health nutrition, clinical nutrition, basic science, food systems, etc.) 
  • Not have received the Dr Nevin S Scrimshaw Prize within the past five years
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership contributions in nutrition science, which is the primary focus of this award. Evidence of leadership may include, but is not limited to: 
    • Leading research teams, programmes, or initiatives
    • Influencing policy, practice, or decision-making processes
    • Capacity building, mentorship, and development of future leaders
    • Leadership roles in professional societies, networks, or collaborative initiatives

Selection Criteria and Process

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Leadership (key criterion): Demonstrated leadership in nutrition science, including influence on people, systems, policy, or practice
  • Capacity building (key criterion): Commitment to mentoring, training, and developing future leaders
  • Future leadership potential (key criterion): Evidence of a continued leadership trajectory and potential for sustained impact
  • Impact: Contributions with clear potential to improve nutrition outcomes at local, regional, or global levels
  • Engagement and influence: Contributions to professional societies, collaborations, or cross-sector initiatives
  • Scientific engagement (secondary criterion): Active engagement in nutrition science appropriate to career stage

Selection Process:

  • Eligible applications will be reviewed by an IUNS-appointed Selection Committee with expertise in nutrition science and leadership development 
  • Committee members will assess applications using a leadership-focused scoring framework 
  • The Committee will recommend a recipient to the IUNS Council for endorsement

Application Process

Applications must be endorsed by the applicant’s affiliated Adhering Body. This should be evidenced by a letter of support from the applicant’s affiliated Adhering Body of the IUNS.

Adhering Bodies may endorse more than one candidate.

Applications must include:

  1. Completed application form (via the IUNS online portal)
  2. A letter of support from the applicant’s affiliated IUNS Adhering Body. The letter should confirm:
    • Your affiliation with the Adhering Body; and
    • that the Adhering Body is currently in good standing with IUNS.
      *Before submitting your application, please ensure that your Adhering Body is in good standing with IUNS. If you are unsure, please contact the IUNS Office at office@iuns.org.
  3. Curricilum vitae (max. 4 pages), including:
    • Education and training
    • Positions held
    • Leadership roles and responsibilities (formal and informal)
    • Key achievements
    • Awards and honours
    • Selected publications (maximum 10) and funding success demonstrating active engagement in nutrition science
  4. Personal Statement (max. 1,000 words) (This is the core assessment document and should focus primarily on nutrition leadership.)
    Applicants should address relevant areas such as:
    • Leadership experience and approach (e.g. philosophy, style, key roles)
    • Key leadership contributions and achievements (e.g. programmes led, policy influence, systems change, networks built, cross-sector collaboration, contributions to professional organisations)
    • Impact of their leadership (e.g. outcomes for communities, institutions, policy, or the field)
    • Capacity building and mentorship (e.g. developing future leaders, strengthening teams or institutions)
    • Future leadership vision and ambitions
  5. Two letters of recommendation (max. 2 pages each)
    Letters should:
    • Be provided by individuals familiar with the applicant’s professional work (e.g. current or former line managers, senior colleagues, project leaders, academic supervisors, Adhering Body representatives, or committee chairs, etc)
    • Provide specific evidence of the applicant’s leadership skills and contributions
    • Highlight relevant achievements, impact, and contributions to nutrition science
    • Comment on the applicant’s capacity for leadership development and future leadership potential
  6. Optional supporting materials
    • Evidence of leadership impact (e.g. policy contributions, programme outcomes)

Note: Late, incomplete, or non-compliant applications will not be accepted.

Timeline (Indicative for 2026)

  • Call for applications opens: early July 2026
  • Applications close: 1 September 2026 at 23:59 (UTC)
  • Review period: September – October 2026
  • Recommendation and Council approval: by 30 October 2026
  • Award announcement: 13 November 2026 (IUNS 80th Anniversary Event; recipient not required to attend in person)

Successful Applicant

The successful applicant will be invited to:

  • submit a short biography (approximately 100 words) and a photograph for announcement on the IUNS website and other IUNS communications; and
  • submit a post-award report (maximum 1,500 words) 12 months after receiving the award.

The publication of the biography and photograph will only take place with the recipient’s permission.

Post-Award Report

The recipient will be invited to submit a written impact report (up to 1,500words) approximately 12 months after receiving the award. This report should reflect on how the award has supported their leadership development, career progression, and contributions to nutrition science.

With the recipient’s permission, the report may be featured on the IUNS website to support promotion of the award and showcase leadership impact within the global nutrition community.

Further notes:

  • Participation in the Early Career Researchers Committee is not required for eligibility
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