European University Student Research

Call for Undergraduate Research Proposals Now Open!

University researchers in Europe are encouraged to submit proposals in transit packaging.  While original concepts are welcomed and encouraged, research in the following topics would be of interest as well:

  • Last mile hazards (examples: click-to-cart, drone, grocery delivery to home)
  • Unit load stability - long-duration horizontal acceleration
  • Clamp truck handling
  • Measurement of dynamic and non-vertical compression forces
  • Stacked vibration (specific example of the topic above)

In 2025, ISTA will award two (2) grants of  €4,000 each.  The funding could be used to support the packaging school research curriculum or support independent research initiatives.  The selected researchers will provide a final report, and their supporting data, to the ISTA upon project completion, and present their findings at the ISTA European Packaging Symposium.  The funding could also be used to support the recipients' travel expenses to the Symposium.  The goal is to tie grants to research in the transit packaging area. 

"The ISTA European Board is proud to support the next generation of packaging leaders in Europe", said ISTA European Board Chair Erich Steiner. "We look forward to growing awareness of our mission among students, and we are proud to support young talent and new research in our field."  

How to Submit Proposals

Submit a proposal


Researchers may submit their proposals using the above proposal portal. The submission deadline is September 1, 2025 and the winners of the grants will be announced in the Fall.

Eligibility: Any European-based undergraduate program with a concentration in packaging, with the capabilities of executing distribution packaging research may submit a proposal.  Specifically,

  1. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm their school’s ability to perform the distribution packaging research as proposed. In general, the applicant must have the capabilities to perform the proposed research. This includes having the appropriate curriculum, instructors, oversight, facilities and faculty and student capabilities to perform the distribution packaging research as proposed.
  2. By submitting a proposal, the school agrees that their research team is willing and able to present results at the ISTA European Packaging Symposium
  3. Schools do not have to be an ISTA member to be eligible for grants.

ISTA European Board has developed a document describing the research grant process, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Examples of Prior Undergraduate Research

The ISTA Educational Foundation has awarded research grants to undergraduate students at Universities in the United States. The student groups present their research findings at the annual ISTA Forum.

Evaluation of Crowdsourced Logistics Operations During Last Mile Delivery Segments

  • Olivia Pettinicchi, Student, Rochester Institute of Technology
  • John Mozrall, Student, Rochester Institute of Technology
  • Kyle Dunno, Assistant Professor, Rochester Institute of Technology

Click to watch student research presentation:

Mapping of the Grocery Delivery to Home Process and Hazards in a Suburban Environment

  • Alonda Johnson, Student, Virginia Tech Packaging Systems and Design
  • Zachary Weston, Student, Virginia Tech Packaging Systems and Design
  • Jiyu Niu, Student, Virginia Tech Packaging Systems and Design
  • Morgan Bright, Student, Virginia Tech Packaging Systems and Design
  • Eduardo Molina, Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech Packaging Systems and Design

Click to watch student research presentation:

The Principle of Optimized Cushion Design for Minimizing Product Damage Throughout the Distribution

  • Jack Ames Rupert, Student, University of Wisconsin-Stout
  • Lynnae Torgerud, Student, University of Wisconsin-Stout
  • Xiaojing Liu (Kate), Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Engineering & Technology

Click to watch student research presentation: