A competition for projects by young scientists (up to 35 years old) under the UNESCO program “Man and the Biosphere” was announced. It targets young scientists conducting interdisciplinary research in line with UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere program. Individual projects should not exceed 5000 USD. Priority is given to projects implemented in biosphere reserves. This year, UNESCO and the Principality of Monaco agreed to award five additional grants for research on marine, island, and coastal ecosystems in biosphere reserves.

The completed form (1 printed copy) must be submitted to the National Committee for the “Man and the Biosphere” Program by March 20th, 2023 (before 4:30 p.m.) at the following address: National Committee for the “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB) Program, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Studies, BAS, Acad. Georgi Bonchev str., bl. 23, office 412, postal code 1113 Sofia, phone: 02/ 979 2155, 0889639544.

An electronic copy of the form must be sent within the same deadline to the email address mab.bg@abv.bg (with the following subject: “2023 MAB Young Scientists Awards”).

Application forms (in English and French) and information about the competition are available at: https://www.unesco.org/en/man-and-biosphere/young-scientists

The Young Scientist Awards were established in 1989. Until 2025, the implementation of the UNESCO MAB Program is to be guided by the Lima Strategy and Action Plan for the UNESCO MAB Program and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (LAP), which contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals related to future international development for the period 2016-2030 of the United Nations.

Bulgaria has contributed to the development of this global network. In 1977, 17 sites were announced in the country, meeting the criteria at the time. After revising the borders, function and management of part of these territories and taking into account the modern vision and requirements of the "Man and the Biosphere" Program, in 2017 four biosphere parks of a new generation were announced - Srebarna, Uzunbudzhak, Central Balkan, and Chervena Stena. Nominations for biosphere reserves are agreed with the Ministry of Environment and Water, which is a member of the National Committee for the MAB program.

Modern biosphere reserves are a symbol of the harmonious coexistence between man and nature. They stimulate sustainable economic development of the regions, based on clean and preserved nature, as well as the production and supply of certified local products (including forest products) and regional brands with high added value.

You can learn more at the following link: https://www.moew.government.bg/bg/priroda/zastiteni-teritorii/zastiteni-teritorii-s-mejdunaradno-znachenie/programa-chovekut-i-biosferata-na-yunesko/