The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development hereby informs of the call for applicants for the MAB Young Scientists Awards 2018 to young researchers carrying out interdisciplinary research in line with UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.  Priority is given to projects carried out in biosphere reserves.

Objectives:

The Objectives of the MAB Young Scientists Award Scheme are:

• encourage young scientists, in particular those from developing countries, to use MAB research, project sites and biosphere reserves in their research;
• encourage young scientists who already use such sites to undertake comparative studies in other sites in or outside their own country;
• promote and encourage the exchange of information and experience among a new generation of scientists;
• strengthen communication of the LAP (Lima Action Plan) with the young scientists and strengthen its visibility;
• involve young scientist in the implementation of the LAP;
• enhance awareness among young scientists of the role of research in the implementation of the SDGs – in particular when conducted in biosphere reserves.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, award applicants must:

• be made on the MAB Young Scientists Award application form (in English or French) and follow-up technical requirements stated there.  The application must be endorsed by the National Commission for UNESCO;
• not be older than 35 years of age (at the closing date of the application);
• contain concise information on past and existing research in areas concerned in order to present linkages and avoid duplications and financing of projects already carried-out;
• identify in their applications if and how their research contributes to the research-related actions of the LAP and to the SDGs, as priority is given to interdisciplinary projects carried out in biosphere reserves designated under the Man and the Biosphere Programme or potential biosphere reserves and which contribute to the implementation of the LAP and the SDGs;
• accept to submit reports of Award-funded research to the MAB Secretariat in Paris and to their MAB National Committees (The National Commission for UNESCO), and agreed to the possibility of UNESCO publishing the results of their research.

• applicants from developed countries are eligible for Awards only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries;
• must complete their Award supported research within two years.

The scholarship recipient will receive the following benefits:

• awards are set at a maximum of US$5,000 each.

For additional information please visit:

https://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/man-and-biosphere-programme/awards-and-prizes/mab-young-scientists-awards/howtoapply

Completed applications must be received by the Human Resource Development Unit (HRD), 4^th Floor, Francis Compton Building, Waterfront, Castries, no later than 15^th December 2017, to be eligible.  ONLY APPLICATIONS IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH ARE ACCEPTED.