UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards
Last verified 21 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team
The UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards support early-career researchers working on ecosystems, natural resources, and biodiversity, with a focus on interdisciplinary projects within biosphere reserves.
- Provider
- UNESCO
- Host country
- Multiple
- Deadline
- Expected May 7, 2027 (annual cycle)
- Region
- Africa
Topics
Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo
Eligibility & requirements at a glance
Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.
- Who can apply
- To be eligible, award applications 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 applicant's MAB National Committee, which may endorse only two applications per year from applicants who are not older than 35 years of age (at the closing date of the application). Applicants from developed countries are eligible for Awards only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries.
- Funding
- Up to US$5,000
- Study level
- Postdoc
- Deadline
- Expected May 7, 2027 (annual cycle)
Key eligibility criteria
- To be eligible, award applications 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 applicant's MAB National Committee, which may endorse only two applications per year from applicants who are not older than 35 years of age (at the closing date of the application). Applicants from developed countries are eligible for Awards only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries.
Recorded funding information
- Up to US$5,000
About the UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards (2026)
Funding information
The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.
- Up to US$5,000
UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards eligibility
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- To be eligible, award applications 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 applicant's MAB National Committee, which may endorse only two applications per year from applicants who are not older than 35 years of age (at the closing date of the application). Applicants from developed countries are eligible for Awards only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries.
UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards document information
No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.
How to apply for the UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards 2026
Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.
- 1Check the provider's process
Consult https://unesco.org/en/mab/young-scientists to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
- 2Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: To be eligible, award applications 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 applicant's MAB National Committee, which may endorse only two applications per year from applicants who are not older than 35 years of age (at the closing date of the application). Applicants from developed countries are eligible for Awards only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
- 3Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: Expected May 7, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.
UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards deadline & application timeline
Provider deadline information: Expected May 7, 2027 (annual cycle). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.
- Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
- Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
- Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
- Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
- Provider deadlineExpected May 7, 2027 (annual cycle)
Provider deadline information: Expected May 7, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.
Ready to apply?
Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.
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Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards?+
To be eligible, award applications 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 applicant's MAB National Committee, which may endorse only two applications per year from applicants who are not older than 35 years of age (at the closing date of the application). Applicants from developed countries are eligible for Awards only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries.
What funding does the UNESCO MAB Young Scientist Awards offer?+
Listed funding: Up to US$5,000. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.
When is the application deadline?+
Provider deadline information: Expected May 7, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.
What documents do I need to apply?+
No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.
How do I check the application process?+
Consult https://unesco.org/en/mab/young-scientists to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: To be eligible, award applications 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 applicant's MAB National Committee, which may endorse only two applications per year from applicants who are not older than 35 years of age (at the closing date of the application). Applicants from developed countries are eligible for Awards only in exceptional cases or if working in joint partnership with developing countries.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Expected May 7, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.
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