The GSSI Young Scholar Travel Grant offered by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) is available to Early Career Researchers to attend the Annual Congress of the ECSS. GSSI aims to promote young sports nutrition/hydration scientists in their international career. Abstracts submitted in these two areas or related fields in both presentation formats, oral or poster, may opt-in to apply for the GSSI Young Scholar Travel Grant.

Requirements

• Applicants may reside anywhere in the world.
• An ECSS membership for 2026 is mandatory by the 13 February 2026.
• The applicant must be an Early Career Researcher who is currently a Master’s or PhD student in sports nutrition and/or hydration or a related subject.
• The presented research must be of relevance for these scientific fields.
• Submission of all application documents (see details below): the application form (CV, publication list (if applicable) and letter of motivation), a digital copy of your current student enrolment certificate including its expiration date, one letter of recommendation and an introduction video.
• Applications must be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 13 April 2026.
• Announcement of award recipients will be made by 24 April 2026.
• To prevent conflicts of interest, students directly associated with or engaged in any fashion with GSSI will not be eligible. Submitted work funded, partially or wholly, by GSSI or PepsiCo is not eligible.
• GSSI is committed to supporting diversity in sport science and nutrition. The awards will adhere to the guidelines defined by the EU Platform of Diversity.

Application documents

• An application form
• CV
• Publication list (if applicable)
• One letter of motivation (300 words) – a written statement detailing your professional goals and describing how a professional development award will help you meet your future career in exercise physiology and/or sports nutrition. The evaluation of the written statement will be based on clearly defined goals related to the field of exercise physiology and/or sports nutrition and demonstration of how receiving a professional development grant will help further your studies and/or professional development. The statement needs also to incorporate what you have learned about the research process or how it has impacted your academic career thus far.
• A digital copy of your current student enrolment certificate including its expiration date
• One letter of recommendation
• A video submission answering four questions in four minutes, accompanied with four presentation slides:
• Why is sports nutrition important to you?
• What is the future of sports nutrition in your area of interest?
• What would you look to gain from the experience?
• How do you see your research coming to life?

All applications will undergo a thorough review. Two winners will each receive €2,000 to cover registration and travel costs to attend ECSS Lausanne 2026, 7-10 July 2026 and to use for other professional development per the winner’s discretion. Additionally, winners will also each receive the opportunity to have a one-on-one meeting with a GSSI scientist to discuss research interests and career advice.

For questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.