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
Applicants can submit their application in one or more of the following thematic areas:
- Innovative solutions for industrial water treatment and the fight against microplastics.
- Biomimicry and materials: Marine biodiversity inspires industry.
- Climate: Decarbonizing the economy through ocean biotechnology.
- Ocean and innovation
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
The prizes can be used to support a need for equipment, innovative equipment, international mobility, field experimentation, operating costs, financing an entrepreneurial project, etc.
1st prize: €20,000
2nd prize: €10,000
3rd prize: €5,000
Bonus prize of €5,000 if your application also falls
within one of the key thematic areas of the Trophies (1, 2 and 3).
How to participate?
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.
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 April 15, 2024 to register and submit their application file online. The jury will meet in May. The results will be announced between the end of May and the beginning of June.
The winners will then be invited to an awards ceremony organized by the foundation in early June, around World Ocean Day.
Contacts
For any questions or requests for additional information, please contact us : secretariat@maudfontenoyfondation.fr
FAQ
Applicants can submit their application in one or more of the proposed themes.
Yes, you will simply need to open a separate application for each 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.
The results will be communicated directly to the candidates between May 15th and 20th.
There will be three winners
Indeed, a winner who submitted multiple different projects may see several of their projects be awarded.
The award ceremony will take place during the Maud Fontenoy Foundation’s annual ceremony on June 6, 2024 in Paris, at the Théâtre de l’œuvre.
The winners, their thesis supervisors, and the director of their doctoral school.
Contact us at secretariat@maudfontenoyfondation.fr
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.