Here is a question for the early-career researchers reading this.
Have you ever felt like the big grants are only for senior professors with decades of experience and massive teams behind them?
The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Young Scientist Awards exist specifically to solve that problem. They were created in 1989 over 35 years ago, to invest in you. Well-trained and committed young scientists are the key to addressing the world’s ecological and sustainability challenges.
And right now, the 2026 application window is open. The deadline is May 7, 2026.
This guide is for you if you’re 35 or younger and work on ecosystems, biodiversity, or sustainable development, especially in or near biosphere reserves. Let me break down exactly how to win this award.
What Are the UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards?
Let me start with a quick story. Since 1989, UNESCO has been funding a new generation of scientists through this program. The goal is simple: encourage young researchers to use UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserves as living laboratories for their work.
These are not just any research sites. Biosphere reserves are places where UNESCO is actively trying to reconcile conservation with sustainable development. Your research can directly inform how these sites are managed.
Why UNESCO created this award: They want to promote and encourage the exchange of information and experience among a new generation of scientists. They want you to use MAB research sites and biosphere reserves in your studies. And they want to involve young scientists in implementing the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan 2026-2035 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .
The Monaco Connection: A Special Marine Focus
Before we delve into the statistics, it’s important to highlight an exciting development.
Since 2022, UNESCO has partnered with the Principality of Monaco to support additional fellowships specifically for studies on marine, island, and coastal issues in biosphere reserves.
In 2024, the International Coordinating Council decided to name these grants the “MAB Young Scientist Awards – Prince Albert I of Monaco” , in honor of Prince Albert I’s contribution to ocean exploration and scientific research .
This is important because it means there are now two tracks you can apply for: general biodiversity research or marine/coastal research.
Grant Details: What You Get.
Let me break down the numbers.
Important: The award is meant to support project-related costs for a two-year period. This is not a salary replacement or a full scholarship. It is seed funding to help you conduct your research.
Eligibility: Are You a Candidate?
Here is what UNESCO is looking for. Read this carefully; many potential applicants get filtered out at the eligibility stage.
Basic Requirements.
Geographic Eligibility (Important Nuance)
Here is where it gets specific. UNESCO prioritizes young scientists from developing countries .
- Applicants from developed countries are eligible only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries .
If you are a researcher from the United States, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, or other high-income nations, you need a strong justification. Partnering with a researcher or institution in a developing country is your best path forward.
Research Priorities
UNESCO gives priority to:
- Interdisciplinary projects carried out in biosphere reserves designated under the MAB Programme
- Projects in potential biosphere reserves (areas seeking designation)
- Projects that contribute to the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan and the SDGs
Pro Tip: Your application must identify if and how your research contributes to the research-related actions of the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan and to the SDGs . Do not skip this section.
The Endorsement Requirement: Your First Hurdle
Here is the most critical part of the application process that many young researchers miss.
Your application must be endorsed by your country’s MAB National Committee.
Each National Committee can endorse only two applications per year. This means there is a national selection process before your application even reaches UNESCO in Paris.
What This Means For You:
- You cannot submit directly to UNESCO. You must go through your national MAB committee.
- Your national committee has its own internal deadline. This deadline is earlier than the May 7 UNESCO deadline.
- You are competing nationally for one of the two slots your country can submit.
Examples of National Deadlines:
Action Item: Find your country’s MAB National Committee or National Commission for UNESCO today. Contact them immediately to ask about their internal deadline and process. Do not wait until May 1 — you will miss your national deadline.
What Your Research Can Cover
UNESCO supports a wide range of research areas through this award.
General Research Areas (6 awards available)
- Ecosystems and ecosystem services
- Natural resources management
- Biodiversity conservation
- Sustainable development
- Climate change adaptation
- Interdisciplinary studies linking environment and society
Marine, Island, and Coastal Research (5 additional awards)
Since 2022, the partnership with Monaco has funded five additional awards specifically for:
- Marine ecosystems
- Island sustainability
- Coastal zone management
- Ocean science for sustainable development
Pro Tip: The world has over 200 coastal, island, and marine biosphere reserves that make a crucial contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development . If your research fits this niche, you have a dedicated funding stream.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility (Today)
- Are you 35 or younger on May 7, 2026?
- Is your research interdisciplinary and related to ecosystems, biodiversity, or sustainability?
- Is your research connected to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (or potential reserve)?
- Do you have a developed country passport? If yes, do you have a partner in a developing country?
Step 2: Find Your National MAB Committee (Today)
This is your first stop. Every country has either the following:
- A MAB National Committee or
- A National Commission for UNESCO (if the MAB committee does not exist or is not operational)
Search online for “[your country] MAB National Committee UNESCO” or “[your country] National Commission for UNESCO.” Email them immediately to request the following:
- Their internal deadline for the 2026 MAB Young Scientist Awards
- Their application requirements (some countries have additional forms)
- Their selection process
Warning: If your national committee has already selected its two candidates for 2026, you may need to wait for the 2027 cycle. Some countries operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Act fast.
Step 3: Download the Official Application Form (1 hour)
The official MAB Young Scientists Award application form is available through UNESCO’s website. The form must be completed in English or French.
What the form asks for:
- Personal information and academic background
- Research proposal (concise — this is not a 20-page document)
- Information on past and existing research in the area
- How your research connects to the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan and SDGs
- Budget breakdown (up to $5,000)
- Endorsement section (to be completed by your National Committee)
Step 4: Draft Your Research Proposal (3-5 days)
Keep it concise but compelling. UNESCO wants to see:
- The research question: What problem are you solving?
- The location: Which biosphere reserve (or potential reserve) are you studying?
- The interdisciplinary approach: How does your work cross traditional disciplinary boundaries?
- The link to policy/action: How will your research inform biosphere reserve management or contribute to the SDGs?
Pro Tip: Applications must contain concise information on past and existing research in the areas concerned to present linkages, avoid duplication, and ensure that the Award does not finance already completed projects . Be clear about what is new.
Step 5: Prepare Your Budget (1 day)
The maximum award is $5,000 . Your budget should cover project-related costs for a two-year period .
Eligible expenses typically include:
- Fieldwork costs (transportation, accommodation)
- Equipment and supplies
- Laboratory analysis
- Data collection and processing
- Small-scale community engagement activities
What is usually NOT covered:
- International travel expenses
- Salary or stipend for the researcher
- Tuition or academic fees
- Large equipment purchases
Step 6: Submit to Your National Committee (Before Their Deadline)
This is the step where most applicants make a mistake. You do not submit directly to UNESCO.
The correct process:
- Complete the official application form
- Submit it to your MAB National Committee or National Commission for UNESCO
- They will endorse up to two applications
- They will submit the endorsed applications to UNESCO in Paris
The UNESCO global deadline is May 7, 2026 . But remember — your national committee needs time to review, select, and forward applications. Their internal deadline may be weeks earlier.
Step 7: Wait for Results
UNESCO reviews all endorsed applications and selects the winners. If you are selected, you must agree to:
- Submit reports of your award-funded research to the MAB Secretariat in Paris
- Submit reports to your MAB National Committee
- Allow UNESCO to publish the results of your research
What Happens If You Win?
Winning a UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Award is not just about the money. It is about joining a global network.
Benefits include:
- Recognition as a UNESCO-supported researcher
- Connection to the global MAB community
- Access to biosphere reserve sites and data
- Publication of your research through UNESCO channels
- A credential that opens doors to larger grants
Your responsibilities as a winner:
- Complete your research within two years
- Submit regular reports to UNESCO and your National Committee
- Publish your results (with acknowledgment of UNESCO support)
- Contribute to the goals of the MAB Programme
Insider Tips for a Winning Application
1. Lead with the Biosphere Reserve Connection
UNESCO created this award specifically to encourage research in and around biosphere reserves . If your research site is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, mention this in the first paragraph. If it is a “potential biosphere reserve,” say that too. This is not subtle — it is the entire point of the award.
2. Connect Explicitly to the Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan
The Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan 2026-2035 is UNESCO’s roadmap for the MAB Programme . Your application must identify if and how your research contributes to the research-related actions of this plan . Do some homework. Read the plan. Quote specific action items. Show that you understand UNESCO’s priorities.
3. If You Are from a Developed Country, Partner Now
Applicants from developed countries are eligible only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries . If you hold a passport from the US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, or similar, you need a co-investigator or host institution in a developing country. Contact potential partners immediately. Document the partnership clearly in your application.
4. Do Not Submit a CV.
Some country-specific guidance explicitly states that curriculum vitae will not be accepted . Follow the official application form exactly. Do not add extra documents unless requested. Incomplete or non-compliant applications will be rejected.
5. Apply for the Marine Track If Relevant.
The Prince Albert I of Monaco awards provide five dedicated slots for marine, island, and coastal research . This is a separate track with less competition than the general awards. If your research touches oceans, islands, or coasts in any way, apply through this track.
Quick Reference: Is This Award Right For You?
| Your Situation | Verdict |
|---|---|
| You are 35 or younger | ✅ Required |
| You research ecosystems, biodiversity, or sustainability | ✅ Eligible |
| Your research is in or near a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve | ✅ Strong fit |
| You are from a developing country | ✅ Priority candidate |
| You are from a developed country with a developing country partner | ✅ Eligible |
| You are from a developed country working alone | ⚠️ Exceptional cases only |
| You need funding for international travel | ❌ Not covered |
| You need a full PhD scholarship | ❌ Wrong program |
| You have already completed your research | ❌ Not eligible (no retroactive funding) |
Final Checklist
For May 7, 2026 Deadline
- Confirm you are 35 or younger on May 7, 2026
- Confirm your research connects to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (or potential reserve)
- Find and contact your country’s MAB National Committee (today)
- Ask about their internal deadline (likely earlier than May 7)
- Download the official application form
- Draft research proposal (concise, interdisciplinary, policy-relevant)
- Prepare budget (max $5,000, project-related costs only)
- If from developed country, confirm developing country partnership
- Complete form in English or French
- Submit to National Committee before their deadline
- Confirm they have forwarded your application to UNESCO
The UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards have been supporting early-career researchers since 1989. Over 35 years, thousands of young scientists have used this award to launch their research careers, gain international recognition, and contribute to real-world conservation .
You are the next generation. The world needs your research on ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability. UNESCO knows this — that is why they created this award.
The May 7 deadline is approaching. Contact your National Committee today. Do not let this opportunity pass.
Good luck.
