ECTS Iain T Boyle Award
Nominations period: nominations will open in September 2026
In memory of Professor Iain T Boyle (1935–2001) who contributed greatly to the field of mineral metabolism and his work on osteoporosis was known and acclaimed nationally and internationally. The award is open to young scientists who have made significant progress and contribution to the field of bone and calcified tissue.
The award is for €1000 (Euros) is announced during the ECTS annual congress.
The awardee will be invited to actively contribute to ECTS either during the congress or within one of the committees.
Eligibility
This award is open to young scientists who have made significant progress and contribution to the field of bone and calcified tissue. The nominee should be within 10 years of completing their PhD (or equivalent).
ECTS Board members are not eligible to this award during term of office in the ECTS Board.
To be eligible you must be a current member of ECTS.
The scientific profile of the candidate is the most important parameter that is evaluated.
In addition, number of years spent as member of ECTS and positions held inside the Society can also be considered.
Winners must wait five years before applying for another named award.
Submission Procedure
Nominations awill open in September 2026.
Nominees must be nominated and seconded by ECTS members and must be submitted via the online form.
Review Procedure
All nominations are reviewed by an independent panel of reviewers. The final decision is based on the marks and comments from the reviewers and any conflicts of interest are identified and dealt with appropriately.
Winner of the 2026 Award
Congratulations to Dr. Steve Stegen, KU Leuven, Netherlands recipient of the 2026 Iain T Boyle Award presented during the ECTS 2026 Congress in Girona
For a full list of previous Award recipients, please visit the Previous Grants section.
Steve Stegen has made key scientific contributions to the field of bone and mineral research, with a particular focus onuncovering how cellular metabolism regulates skeletal development, regeneration and disease. His research has led to high-impact discoveries published in leading journals. By using advanced preclinical models and metabolic analyses, he aims totranslate fundamental insights into novel, metabolism-based therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis and metabolic bonedisorders.
His dedication to advancing the field is matched by his engagement within the ECTS. As an elected member of the ECTSAcademy (2020–2025), he has contributed to the society’s mission by actively participating in several working groups,including those on Social Media, Webinars and eLearning, helping to promote scientific exchange and community building. Inaddition, he has been involved in organizing several Open Fora on Animal Models, and has been invited to speak at multipleECTS conferences, including the meet-the-expert sessions, sharing his expertise with the broader research community.
Through his scientific achievements, commitment to mentoring and teaching, and active service to ECTS, Steve Stegendemonstrates a strong motivation to further advance the field of bone biology and to contribute meaningfully to theinternational research community.
