For the last two decades, IBDAA - the International Biodiversity Day at AUB - has been one of Lebanon’s most prominent platforms for environmental innovation, education and youth empowerment. Led by the Nature Conservation Center at the American University of Beirut (AUB-NCC) since 2006, this annual poster forum and competition brings together students from various Lebanese universities to respond to a yearly theme focusing on an environmental challenge by submitting their research ideas in poster form.
Each year, IBDAA transforms the AUB campus into a dynamic hub dedicated to science, creativity, and collaboration, bringing together students, experts, and private sector partners to assess and judge student work. Students present their work to a group of judges who rank and assess their work. The competition includes four categories and first, second, and third prizes in each category are receive monetary prizes.
Awards are given to first, second, and third places across four categories which include: “Product Development”, “Art, Design & Communication”, “Business Planning & Recovery”, and “Research with Intervention”.
IBDAA 2026
As IBDAA marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, this milestone edition will look ahead to the future under the theme: “Nature at the Center of Climate Change”. Nature, in its many forms, constitutes the basis of life on Earth. Nature provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the materials to shape our societies. With the climate crisis increasing, nature, and the benefits we derive from it, will not be the same. This case is more acute in Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean basin.
In alignment with the objective of COP 30, where nations are coming together to accelerate global action on climate and nature, IBDAA 2026 calls upon the youth of Lebanon to step up and lead on those areas.
The challenge for students will be to imagine and present approaches and solutions to protect, conserve, and enhance nature in the coming 20 years and beyond.
Students will be asked to identify a climate challenge related to nature and propose a solution.
We call upon young innovators from universities across Lebanon to envision a future where nature and culture thrive together under changing climate conditions, a future that is more equitable and aligned with the realities we face.
This milestone edition renews IBDAA’s commitment to empowering the next generation of changemakers to reimagine a future where people and nature thrive together.
We kindly ask interested faculty members to confirm their participation by January 23, 2026, by contacting us at nature@aub.edu.lb. Should you require any additional information or wish to discuss potential involvement, we would be happy to connect.
For further details, we will also be hosting a general assembly by the end of January 2026.
Important Dates for IBDAA 2026:
Professors’ declaration of intent to participate
| Friday, January 23
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Professors’ submission of the list of students
| Friday, February 13
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Students’ submission of their names, project title, and chosen category
| Tuesday, March 24
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Students’ submission of abstracts
| Friday, April 10
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Students’ submission of list of materials necessary for presentation
| Tuesday, April 14
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IBDAA Event
| Tuesday, April 28 |
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