FORVIA Foundation and Maud Fontenoy Foundation Conclude Climate & Biodiversity Awards, Supporting 12 Young Ocean Researchers
The final edition of the Climate & Biodiversity Awards, a three-year project launched in 2024 by the FORVIA Foundation and Maud Fontenoy Foundation, has awarded €55,000 to five doctoral students for ocean conservation r…
12
€150,000
What Happened
Since 2024, the Climate & Biodiversity Awards organized by the Maud Fontenoy Foundation and the FORVIA Foundation have provided grants to young researchers to protect ocean ecosystems. Over three editions, 12 recipients received a total of €150,000 in grants for materials, equipment, travel, and field experiments.
€150,000EUR
Over three years to 12 doctoral students.
- 1st Prize (€20,000): Joséphine Sabathe-Bounaud – studying mercury pollution impact on Arctic little auks.
- 2nd Prize (€15,000): Manon Riou – genetics and acoustics to study humpback whale biodiversity in Madagascar.
- 3rd Prize (€10,000): Rémy Boisserie-Gimenez – evaluating biocide-free antifouling coatings for boats.
- Jury's Favorite (€5,000): Adel Hossein – developing low-carbon 3D-printable concrete from recycled materials.
- Jury’s Special Mention (€5,000): Firas Marsit – analyzing legal challenges of high seas exploitation.
“Over the past three years, we have witnessed the ingenuity and dedication of young researchers in the fight for the climate... By supporting these talented individuals, the FORVIA Foundation sought to demonstrate that scientific and technological innovation is an essential lever for protecting life and reducing the impact of climate change.”
Why this matters
The awards highlight how an automotive industry foundation is investing in young researchers to protect ocean ecosystems, demonstrating corporate commitment to climate and biodiversity solutions.
Terms in This Story
- IPCC
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN body assessing climate science.
- Phytoplankton
- Microscopic marine organisms that produce oxygen and form the base of the ocean food web.
- Biodegradable microplastics
- Plastic fragments that can be broken down by microorganisms, reducing pollution.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.