A Quantum Leap for Biodiversity

The Science Challenge aims to harness innovative solutions to the biodiversity crisis by encouraging scientists, academics, and entrepreneurs from all disciplines to conceptualize or develop scalable, revolutionary technologies and methods. Our goal is to enhance efforts toward biodiversity conservation, halt and reverse biodiversity loss, benefiting both nature and society.

Our Call for Submissions

Dear participants of the 73rd Lindau Meeting, we would like to invite you to apply to participate in the science challenge “A Quantum Leap for Biodiversity”, hosted by the Regenerative Pioneers Foundation supported by its Families for Nature circle, jointly with the Founders & Funders Foundation, and in collaboration with the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.

This science challenge aims to find and highlight scalable, revolutionary technologies and methods to enhance efforts towards biodiversity conservation as well as novel approaches to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and its impact on nature, climate, and local communities.

Proposals from all scientific disciplines are accepted. We especially encourage multi-disciplinary proposals as well as any technical, non-technical, or mixed approaches. We welcome applications from both individuals and groups.

Your project proposal can fall into two broad categories:

• Ground-breaking early-stage research

• Scalable ideas close to implementation

Submitted project proposals will be evaluated by a panel of leading scientific experts and the finalists will be invited to present at a roundtable discussion and workshop on Saturday, 6 July 2024, 12:00 – 19:30 in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. A limited budget to cover basic travel expenses is available on request and contingent on internal review. We encourage you to seek travel support from your home institution. Please indicate in your application whether you require travel support and the estimated amount. We will provide a transfer to Liechtenstein and arrange accommodation if required. Winning project proposals will receive generous funding on a philanthropic and non-dilutive basis to take the project to the next level, in addition to mentoring and access to both foundations' networks.

To apply for the science challenge, we kindly ask you to submit a brief project description (max. 1 page, font size 11, in PDF) by 1 April 2024 midnight CEST using the upload form below. Please name the PDF file according to <LastName_FirstName_Challenge>. 

Your project description should include a concise, descriptive title and a summary of your project including the problem it addresses, the proposed solution, and its impact on biodiversity conservation. Please outline innovative aspects of your approach and how it differs from existing solutions, and which of the two broad categories outlined above your project falls into. 

The challenge is open to all current and previous attendees of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, regardless of background. We particularly encourage multi-disciplinary proposals and welcome applications utilizing technical, non-technical, or mixed approaches. 

We are looking for projects that fall into two broad categories: ground-breaking early-stage and scalable ideas close to implementation with proven research ready to be field-trialled. Proposals should offer novel approaches to conserving biodiversity. 

Applicants must submit a complete submission form (available on our website), including a clear and concise abstract or project description, details of core team members and their individual commitments to the idea, a draft project schedule, and an estimated budget. Submissions must be made by 1 April 2024 midnight CEST. Incomplete forms will be rejected. 

Submission forms need to be submitted by 1 April 2024 midnight CEST. The selection process involves a review by scientific experts in April 2024, followed by the selection of finalists by 30 April 2024. Finalists will be invited to present their proposals at the Pioneers Roundtable in Liechtenstein on 6 July 2024. 

Winning proposals will receive funding on a philanthropic and non-dilutive basis to advance their projects to the next level. Additionally, winners will gain mentoring and access to the networks of both The Families for Nature Foundation and the Founders & Funders Foundation.  

A limited budget to cover basic travel expenses is available on request and contingent on internal review. We encourage you to seek travel support from your home institution. Please indicate in your application whether you require travel support and the estimated amount. We will provide a transfer to Liechtenstein and arrange accommodation if required.

For further inquiries, please reach out to us via the contact information provided on our website. Our team is ready to assist you with any questions you might have about the application process, the challenge itself, or any other concerns.