Graduate Student Poster Competition
The Society of Food Engineering invites graduate students to submit abstracts for the CoFE Graduate Student Poster Competition at CoFE 2026. This competition recognizes outstanding student research that advances food engineering through scientific quality, engineering depth, innovation, and relevance to the food system.
Eligibility
Applicants must be currently enrolled graduate students. The presenting author must be a student and the first author of the abstract.
Abstract Submission
Students should submit an abstract by August 15, 2026. Abstracts should clearly describe the research objective, approach, key findings or progress, and relevance to food engineering.
Review and Selection Process
Submitted abstracts will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges. The top abstracts will be selected as semifinalists and invited to submit an extended abstract using a provided template. Extended abstracts should include substantive results or data-supported progress.
Finalists will be selected based on the extended abstracts and invited to participate in the poster competition during CoFE 2026.
Final Competition
Finalists will present their posters during the conference. Each finalist will give a 3-minute poster presentation followed by 5 minutes of Q&A with judges. Finalists will also participate in a 3-minute flash oral presentation during the SoFE Student Division social gathering.
Evaluation Criteria
Abstracts, extended abstracts, posters, and presentations will be evaluated based on scientific quality, engineering depth, originality, methodological rigor, impact and relevance to food engineering, clarity of presentation, data quality, and responses to questions.
Important Dates
| Date | Activity | Outcome |
| August 15, 2026 | Abstract submission deadline | All competing abstracts due |
| September 22, 2026 | Semifinalist notification | 15 abstracts selected |
| October 15, 2026 | Extended abstract submission deadline | Extended abstracts due from semifinalists |
| October 22, 2026 | Finalist announcement | 6 finalists selected |
| November 9, 2026 | Poster judging and flash oral presentations | Top 3 selected |
| November 10, 2026 | Awards ceremony | Top 3 winners recognized |