Björn Carlson Baltic Sea Prize (BalticSea2020)

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Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-10 15:42

Annual prize of 4M SEK for researchers or individuals who made valuable contributions to improving the Baltic Sea environment. Founded by Björn Carlson via BalticSea2020 foundation (originally 500M SEK endowment). Nominations accepted from institutions and individuals.

Source: https://bcop.se/

Funding Details

Funder: Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse (BalticSea2020)
Funding Goal: Annual prize recognising researchers or individuals who have made valuable contributions to protecting the Baltic Sea's environment and ecology. Prize money (SEK 5 million from 2026) is awarded for ongoing or completed work — independent research, projects, policy translation, or other activities that improve the Baltic Sea environment.
Funding Amount: SEK 5 million (from 2026); 90% to institution/research activity, 10% personal award to winner
Deadline: Annual; nomination period not specified on website (periodic)
How to Apply: Nominations submitted to the independent nomination committee (not directly to the foundation). The committee independently identifies nominees and accepts public proposals. Three nominees are submitted to the Foundation's board, which selects the winner. Nominations are confidential; unsuccessful nominees may be nominated again.
Target Region: Baltic Sea
Contact: info@bcop.se; Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse, Birger Jarlsgatan 55, 111 45 Stockholm, Sweden
Last Checked: 2026-05-07 06:39

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Candidate must be a researcher or individual (not an organisation) who has contributed to Baltic Sea environment

Project Scope

Work must benefit the Baltic Sea environment — research, conservation, policy translation, or related practice

Required Documents

Nomination must be submitted by an institution or individual (self-nominations unclear — check committee guidance)

Constraints

Nomination is confidential; unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated in future years
Prize is for individuals, not organisations — funds go to the institution/research activity (90%) and the individual (10%)

Summary

The Björn Carlson Baltic Sea Prize (Björn Carlsons Östersjöpris) is an annual prize awarded by the Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse — formerly known as BalticSea2020 — to researchers or individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the health and ecology of the Baltic Sea. The prize was established to increase interest in the Baltic Sea and inspire continued commitment to protecting and improving it. It is designed to recognise individuals whose work — whether research-based, conservation-focused, or related to policy translation and public communication — has produced valuable contributions to the Baltic Sea environment. Eligible work includes independent research findings, long-term projects, efforts to translate research into policy, public communication, and non-traditional activities instrumental in improving the Baltic Sea. Both ongoing and completed work is eligible. The prize is awarded to individuals rather than organisations. The prize amount from 2026 is SEK 5 million. Of this, 90% is allocated to the institution or research activity that benefits the Baltic Sea, and 10% is awarded personally to the prize winner. If two individuals share the prize, each receives 10% personally. Geographic focus is the Baltic Sea. The nomination committee draws members from universities and institutions in Sweden and other Baltic Sea-bordering countries. Nominations are accepted from institutions and individuals and are handled by an independent committee comprising five members (four from Baltic Sea-region universities, one appointed by the foundation board). The committee shortlists three nominees and the board selects the winner. The nomination process is free and annual, with confidential nominations.

Historical Context

The prize was established by Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse (formerly BalticSea2020, founded 2005 with SEK 500M donation). The foundation transitioned from a grant-making foundation to a prize foundation in 2021. Initially set at SEK 3 million, raised to SEK 5 million in 2026. Awarded annually since 2022. 2025 winner: Professor Kerstin Johannesson.

Why it was added

Major Baltic Sea environment prize from Swedish family foundation. Recognition and funding for marine conservation research and practice.

Sources

https://bcop.se/

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