Saudi Arabia has launched the Young Researchers Awards at the COP16 Science Pavilion

The Young Researchers Awards were introduced at the COP16 Science Pavilion by Saudi Arabia as part of the Kingdom's subsequent UNCCD COP16 Presidency. Open to students and young researchers worldwide, the esteemed competition, which has a $70,000 total prize pool, aims to advance ground-breaking research and creative solutions tackling land degradation, drought, and desertification. 

Seven scholarships, each worth $10,000, will be granted to early-career academics (up to age 35) who can show significant contributions to important fields such land restoration, drought resilience, and sustainable land management. Resilience and climate adaptation, research, technology, and innovation, equitable land governance, community and youth participation, sustainable agri-food systems, land restoration, and finance and sustainable land investments are the seven award categories.

The prizes will be given out in a high-profile ceremony in Riyadh during UNCCD COP16. After being flown to Saudi Arabia, nominees will stay for five days. The winners will also have the exceptional chance to receive mentoring from top professionals. "Drought, desertification, and land degradation are major contributors to a number of global problems that affect people, including forced migration, food insecurity, and water insecurity.

Researchers and innovators are urged to submit their work via https://www.unccdcop16.org/Scientific-Excellence-Awards, the official award website. 

The UNCCD COP16 conference will be held in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia, near to Boulevard, from December 2–13, 2024. In honor of the UNCCD's 30th anniversary, the conference, with the theme "Our Land, Our Future," seeks to guarantee global action on important issues such land tenure, drought resilience, and sand and dust storms.