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Oral Presentations will be made at the 2026 ��ɫֱ��International Summit in October.

The top four graduate entries will have 15 minutes to present their paper on-site at Hotel Ballast Wilmington. Graduate students will be required to present their research in person to be considered for the competition.

Cash prizes will be awarded.

Graduate students who are ��ɫֱ��members may enter the competition. Students are responsible for travel costs related to attending the conference.

Participating students who do not reach top four but whose research is found commendable by the judges will be invited to participate in the 2026 Research Showcase; more information to come.

Students can submit to both the International Summit and the Paper Competition. Different abstracts for each entry are requested. If their abstract is selected for the International Summit, the student will be automatically dropped from the paper competition.

Students will be asked to fill out the Non-Exclusive Copyright Form for submission with their papers.

The ��ɫֱ��Student Paper Competition was established in 1982 to provide individual student members with an opportunity to develop, conduct and report original research projects. In 1994, the competition was renamed in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein following their generous endowment of $60,000 to the Association.

Herman Goldstein, a graduate of Brown University, spent most of his 40-year career at Sun Chemical, where he served as both a chemist and an executive officer. Over the course of his distinguished career, he was credited with 20 U.S. and international patents and contributed as an inventor and co-inventor on numerous textile finishes. He authored chapters in two books, published more than 50 technical papers, and delivered countless professional presentations.

Among his many accomplishments, Herman is recognized for pioneering chemical-based permanent press treatments for textiles. Permanent press technology fundamentally changed the performance and home care of cotton-based fabrics. The significance of this innovation for housewives in particular was famously captured by humor columnist Erma Bombeck, who noted “Then came Mr. Goldstein and it was goodbye steam iron. Goodbye scorch marks&/gradpaper/8230; We were free at last.”

A dedicated member of AATCC, Herman actively contributed to numerous technical committees and advancements in test method development. He received the Olney Medal in 1973 and the Henry E. Millson Award for Invention in 1985. In addition, he was a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists and a member of both the American Chemical Society and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.

Herman Goldstein passed away on January 23, 2000, at the age of 82. His wife, Myrtle B. Goldstein, passed in 2018.

In recognition of his legacy, passion for textiles, and significant contributions to innovation in textile chemistry, Herman and Myrtle Goldstein established this endowment to support and celebrate the achievements of future generations of textile researchers. ��ɫֱ��is grateful for their contribution. 

Entries are NOW OPEN for the 2026 Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition.

March 30, 2026: A completed official entry form and nonexclusive copyright must be submitted via email to josie@aatcc.org

June 1, 2026: Final Papers are Due.

COMPETITION GUIDELINES

Nonexclusive Copyright Form  (return to josie@aatcc.org)