About the opportunity
Under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, UNESCO invites proposals from qualified institutions and firms to conduct an ethnographic study. The research will examine the experiences, aspirations, knowledge systems, opportunities, and contributions of indigenous and local youth living in and around two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India. It aims to identify pathways for integrating youth perspectives and human development dimensions into the implementation of the MAB Programme across South Asia. The findings will directly inform the development of a regional MAB initiative on youth and biosphere reserves in South Asia and support MAB dossier development for new sites in the region.
Salary and benefits
- Opportunity to lead high-impact ethnographic field research for a major United Nations agency.
- Contribute directly to shaping regional policy and initiatives for youth within UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.
- Financial compensation based on the submitted financial proposal.
Who can apply?
- Open to qualified institutions and firms.
- Applicants must demonstrate existing access, networks, contextual knowledge, and feasibility for undertaking field research across two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India.
- Must be able to provide a clear and substantive rationale for the selected research sites.
Required documents
- Technical proposal
- Financial proposal
When to apply
- Deadline for submission: Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 11:55 PM Indian Standard Time.
How to apply
- Prepare your technical proposal and financial proposal as separate documents.
- Submit the two proposals in two (2) separate emails to procurement.NDL@unesco.org with a copy to aj.vaz@unesco.org.
- Ensure each email does not exceed the maximum size of 10MB and files are in PDF format.
- Indicate the RFP reference 'RFP A210454041 SCS Youth and Nature for Sustainable Futures' and the closing date and time in your email subject heading.
Additional information
- Offers sent to any email accounts other than the specified addresses will be disqualified.
- Institutions are requested to acknowledge receipt of the solicitation letter and indicate whether they will be submitting a proposal.
- For inquiries and requests for clarification, contact Shraddha Chickerur, National Programme Officer, Sciences unit, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, at s.chickerur@unesco.org.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Well-suited for research institutions, specialized firms, or academic consultancies with established networks and fieldwork experience in India.
- Ideal for organizations specializing in anthropology, ethnography, indigenous studies, and sustainable development.
- Provides a direct channel to influence international policy and regional conservation frameworks.
What should you think carefully about?
- Strict submission deadline of 22 October 2026 leaves limited preparation time.
- Proposals must be split into two separate emails with a strict 10MB size limit per email.
- Requires demonstrated prior access and contextual knowledge of two specific Biosphere Reserves in India.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This assignment offers an exceptional opportunity for research entities looking to expand their portfolio with high-profile international development and conservation contracts. It bridges academic research with actionable policy-making across South Asia.
Our take
Institutions and firms with strong ethnographic research capabilities and existing access to Indian biosphere reserves should apply immediately before the October deadline.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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