The Baltic Sea suffers from environmental contaminants, eutrophication, and overfishing, which negatively affect everyone in the nine neighboring countries. In order to join forces for a positive development, the Björn Carlsons Baltic Fellows has been initiated on commission by the Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse. The founding fellows, Agnes Karlsson, Petter Tibblin and Jenny Ask states the importance of the fellowship:
We formed the Björn Carlsons Baltic Fellows to connect future research leaders around the Baltic Sea to stimulate innovation and collaboration. Our hope is that the network benefits Baltic Sea research and, ultimately, contributes to a healthier and well-managed Baltic Sea.
The network consists of 22 exclusively selected young researchers from the countries around the Baltic Sea, who are all focused on the Baltic Sea and its environment. One of the fellows is Associate Professor Mindaugas Zilius from Lithuania. He was selected to Björn Carlsons Baltic Fellows for his multidisciplinary research on nitrogen cycling for a sustainable management of the Baltic Sea.
I strongly believe that science and effort needed to improve the status of the Baltic Sea cannot be done alone. Fellows working together, with skills and competences that we have developed during our various research carrier path, can come up with better and more comprehensive answers to the challenges facing the Baltic Sea. I hope we, fellows, may help to accelerate the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan while it is still possible, says Mindaugas Zilius, Marine Research Institute of Klaipeda University.
From 2005 to 2020, Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse (Baltic Sea 2020) allocated grants totaling SEK 650 million for research and applied projects for the Baltic Sea. The foundation is now making a long-term investment in the development of Björn Carlsons Baltic Fellows and the future decision-makers in Baltic Sea research. Commenting on the launch of the fellowship, the Chairman of the Board, Bo Lehander states:
With the foundation’s support, we hope that the Björn Carlsons Baltic Fellows can provide a platform for emerging researchers to thrive, and to drive positive change for the Baltic Sea environment.
On September 26, Björn Carlsons Baltic Fellows will hold a seminar at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm. At the seminar, important topics connected to the Baltic Sea environment will be discussed together with politicians, decision makers, youth leaders and organizations. The seminar is held in connection with the award ceremony for Björn Carlsons Östersjöpris 2023, where H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria hands out the award to this year's prize winner.
Read more about Björn Carlsons Baltic Fellows and all members at bcop.se.
About the Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse and the Björn Carlsons Östersjöpris
Björn Carlsons Östersjöpris (i.e. Baltic Sea Prize) was established in 2021 by Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse (BalticSea2020) - an annual prize awarded to a researcher or other person who has made valuable contributions to the Baltic Sea's environment. With a prize sum of SEK 3 million, the foundation's hope is that the award will create commitment to the Baltic Sea and inspire further work for a healthier sea. From 2005 to 2020, the foundation allocated grants totalling 650 million for research and applied projects for the Baltic Sea.
