Following the replacement of the term Young Scientist (YS) by Early Career Scientist (ECS) earlier this year, the EGU Council has now also approved a change to the definition of an ECS.

Until now the definition stated that an ECS was:

A scientist who is 35 years old* or younger, AND who can be an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters/PhD) student or who has received his or her highest degree (e.g., BSc, MSc, PhD) within the past seven years*.
* Where appropriate, up to one year of parental leave time may be added per child.

However, feedback from early career scientists at the 2014 and 2015 Young Scientists Forums, supported by the findings of the Young Scientist Survey of 2014, highlighted that ECS benefits are important at the onset of an academic career, independent of the age of the recipient. Taking into account this view, the EGU Council has approved a new definition which is inclusive of those who start their research career later on in life.

The new definition reads as follows:

An Early Career Scientist (ECS) is an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters/PhD) student or a scientist who has received his or her highest degree (BSc, MSc, or PhD) within the past seven years*.
* Provided parental leave fell into that period, up to one year of parental leave time may be added per child, where appropriate.

The change of definition is applicable when proposing candidates for the EGU awards and medals, inclusive of the General Assembly travel awards, as well as all other early career events and activities at the General Assembly and throughout the year.