The Maud Fontenoy Foundation, in partnership with the FORVIA Foundation, is pleased to invite you to participate in the first Trophies, the aim of which is to support student researchers working on research and development of solutions for and by the Ocean.

AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT

With its exceptional biodiversity, the ocean environment is the 1st climate regulator of our planetary ecosystem: it holds many solutions that are being studied or still need to be studied.

These solutions, which depend on the proper functioning of marine ecosystems, are also threatened by human activities: pollution, surface water warming, overexploitation, eutrophication…

According to the latest IPCC Report, their preservation and restoration are a key axis in the fight against climate change.

Through these trophies, the two foundations aim to identify promising solutions for the preservation of the oceans or the development of environmentally friendly industrial or technological solutions inspired by the ingenuity of marine biodiversity.

The objective is to demonstrate that ocean ecosystems are not only essential to the balance of our planet, but also our best allies in the fight against climate change.

Objectif:

Support and promote student research projects in science, technology and industry around climate issues and biodiversity conservation. Particular emphasis is placed on the strengths of marine biodiversity and the preservation of the Ocean in general, in the context of the solutions studied.

Who can participate?

All PhD students are eligible to apply. The Trophies are open to students from French doctoral schools as well as students from equivalent foreign schools or participating in European and international doctoral programs.

Thematic areas

An Ocean of Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity

Research for Ocean and Coastal Ecosystems

Mains criteria

Completeness of the application. The submitted project must be presented as requested on the online registration form.
Present or future application of the solution. The solutions studied should ideally describe their potential in terms of application, and present a concrete example of their present or future effectiveness.
Circularity. The presence of a virtuous circle (environmental, social or economic dimension of the solution), will be highly appreciated.
Validity. Depending on the nature of the solution studied, particular attention will be paid to its technical and/or scientific coherence.

Prizes

A grant of €50,000 is distributed among the winners.

The prizes can be used to support a need for equipment, innovative equipment, international mobility, field experimentation, operating costs, financing an entrepreneurial project, etc.

How to participate?

Projects are submitted by the student candidate whose research project is supervised by a French doctoral school and a thesis director, or their equivalent abroad.

The prize money is paid to the institution that hosts and supervises the research of the winner.
The institution must then ensure that the prize money is used for the project presented. It undertakes to do so in writing, which must be attached to the student’s application file.

Registration of applications and submission of files are done via the dedicated online platform.

Jury

Our jury is composed of members of the Maud Fontenoy Foundation and the FORVIA Foundation, renowned researchers in their field, as well as members of institutional scientific and technological partners.

Deadline

Applicants have until December 31, 2025 to register and submit their application file online. The jury will meet in March. The results will be announced in April.

The winners will then be invited to an awards ceremony organized by the foundation by May 27th, around World Ocean Day.

SUBMISSION

Your name

Firstname

Your email

Phone Number

Name of your research institution

Organization hosting your research

Address / Postal Code / City / Country of your institution

Email of your institution/organization

Phone number of your institution/organization

Name of your Thesis Supervisor (First Name, Last Name)

Email of your Thesis Supervisor

Phone number of your Thesis Supervisor

Title of your Research Thesis

Thesis year

Location(s) / country(ies) where research takes place

Total Budget of your Research Project

Amount already obtained and source

How you plan to use the grant if you win one

(Fieldwork, communication, equipment, travel, etc.)

Research Project Summary

Summarize your work and its objectives in 1 or 2 paragraphs for a general audience.

If relevant, please describe the innovative aspects of your research.

2 or 3 lines

If relevant, please describe the circularity.

2-3 lines

Could the project result in an entrepreneurial project?

If so, please explain in 2 or 3 lines

Commitments

J'accepte les conditions de candidature By checking this box, the applicant agrees, if their application is selected, to provide all documents, photographs, and information requested by the Maud Fontenoy Foundation or the FORVIA Foundation. If successful, the winners must provide a one-minute video explaining their work, sign a declaration regarding the use of the grant, and commit to submitting an annual summary of how the grant was used and the progress of their work.

Contacts

For any questions or requests for additional information, please contact us : secretariat@maudfontenoyfondation.fr

FAQ

Can I submit multiple projects?

Yes, you will simply need to open a separate application for each project.

In what form should I present my project?

All projects must:

Complete the online application form.
Attach a document of no more than 2 pages summarizing their project.
Attach an image (video, photo, diagram) to explain or illustrate their project.
OPTIONAL: If they deem it necessary, candidates can attach another document related to their research.

How do I know if my application has been selected?

Results will be communicated directly to candidates. However, an email confirming the validity of their application will be sent to them within 15 days following the application deadline, i.e., early January 2026. Further details may then be requested to definitively validate applications.

How many winners will there be?

There will be three or four winners

Can a winner win multiple prizes?

Indeed, a winner who submitted multiple different projects may see several of their projects be awarded.

When and where will the award ceremony take place?

The awards ceremony will take place around World Oceans Day 2026, in France, Paris.

Who is invited to the award ceremony?

The winners, their thesis supervisors, and the director of their doctoral school.

I am having a problem submitting my application

A program carried out in partnership with:

FORVIA is a strongly committed company, with a target of net zero emissions for its activities by 2025 and for its products by 2045. In line with its sustainable transformation strategy, FORVIA, through its Foundation, has partnered with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation to encourage the preservation of marine biodiversity, a better understanding of the challenges of ocean pollution, and ultimately, the development of ever more environmentally friendly industrial applications.