The François Sommer Foundation is teaming up with the Academy of Sciences to launch two high-level scientific awards focusing on terrestrial wildlife and their habitats.
Remaining true to the philosophy of its founders, Fran̤ois and Jacqueline Sommer, deeply committed to nature and wildlife conservation Рparticularly through the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge Рthese awards aim to reward research work or excellence in a research career of an experienced researcher or research team for one; and encourage a young researcher for the other.
These research works should contribute to shedding new light and a better understanding of the living conditions of wildlife and their habitats, providing major contributions to the understanding of current and future ecological issues. They will focus on terrestrial wildlife in France: vertebrates, insects, arachnids.
The list of disciplines, which is not exhaustive, includes individual ecophysiology, population and community ecology, ethology, population genetics, population dynamics, biology and ecology of conservation, and ethnobiology. What are the eligibility criteria? How can you apply? Discover below the full list of disciplines, the regulations, and the call for applications.
The Grand Prix scientifique François Sommer – Academy of Sciences is endowed with €30,000, while the Young Researcher François Sommer Prize – Academy of Sciences is endowed with €5,000. Applications are open until May 18. These awards will be presented under the dome of the Institut de France next autumn.
The Academy of Sciences
The Academy of Sciences is an assembly of scientists composed of 400 members, chosen from among the most distinguished French and international specialists, including several Nobel Prize winners and Fields medalists. It covers all formal and experimental sciences. It provides a framework of expertise, advice, and alert through opinions and recommendations for public policies. It supports Research, the teaching of sciences, and scientific life as a whole. Its reports provide everyone with the tools to understand the scientific debate and thus help clarify societal issues. It reflects on the political, ethical, and societal challenges posed by scientific issues since its creation in 1666. The Academy is located within the Institut de France, quai de Conti, where it crowns the greatest scientists from around the world under the Dome every year. Most of its sessions are public, and all its conferences, reports, opinions, and podcasts are accessible online.
The François Sommer Foundation
The reconnection between humans and nature is a major challenge for the coming decades. With its unique positioning at the intersection of life sciences, art, and land management, as well as financial, institutional, and intellectual independence since its creation in 1964, the François Sommer Foundation has been contributing for sixty years to the emergence of concrete solutions in favor of the protection of wildlife and their habitats. Its activities revolve around five interconnected axes:
- Culture and art to promote, raise awareness, and question;
- Nature reserve management to observe, experiment, and act;
- Scientific approach to understand, know, and disseminate, through training and research;
- Sponsorship to support, encourage, and innovate;
- Conferences and publications to engage, share, and co-create.
Header photo: Photo credit: Academy of Sciences – Mathieu Baumer
