The Pelagos Agreement is launching the second edition of its competition to reward the best Master’s thesis and the best PhD dissertation focusing on the Pelagos Sanctuary as a study area or on the Pelagos Agreement as a subject of analysis.

The competition is open to works defended during the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 academic years. Eligible research should contribute to advancing knowledge of the Sanctuary or support the objectives and activities of the Pelagos Agreement.

The awards amount to €1,000 for the best Master’s thesis and €1,500 for the best PhD dissertation. Winning projects may be published on the Pelagos Agreement website, subject to the authors’ consent.

The winners will also have the opportunity to participate, on a voluntary basis, in the relevant Pelagos Working Groups and contribute to the Agreement’s activities as experts.

Applications must be submitted by 31 December 2026 by completing the online application form and attaching:

• a copy of the Master’s thesis or PhD dissertation;
• four slides in English presenting the objectives, methodology, results and conclusions of the work.

For more information: secretariat@pelagossanctuary.org.