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Introducing our winners for

THE CLEAN ACADEMY BY BIOSSANCE

Impact Award 2021

We've awarded two $10,000 awards to support those working hard to protect and defend our oceans.**

Meet Our Winners

Natalie Grayson
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Natalie Grayson
About Natalie’s work:

Natalie is studying how chemical pollutants impact marine ecosystems. Her goal is to more thoroughly understand how pollutant tolerants organisms can transform harmful chemicals into less harmful compounds through research and field work.

What sparked her passion for ocean conservation:

“I appreciate the ocean in all of its forms, basking in the warm and calm days, and reveling in the stormy days when the rain droplets sound like a string quartet of crickets. However, I have watched the ocean take a rampantly polluted new form that has sparked a passion in me to make a change.”

How she plans to use the $10K grant:

This funding will allow Natalie to accurately research and study the recently discovered DDT waste barrels off the coast of Los Angeles. This will include collecting samples of the site and performing extensive lab experiments on them to better understand DDT tolerance in marine environments.

Support her work: @NatalieGrayo11 on Twitter

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Kendra Cope
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Kendra Cope
About Kendra’s Work:

Kendra founded the nonprofit Coastal Connections, Inc. with a mission of protecting coastal habitats necessary for sea turtle recovery. She and her team of 70+ volunteers focus on educating and connecting people to environment.

What sparked her passion for ocean conservation:

“My last family vacation was a trip to Hawaii in 8th grade. I spent every day outside in nature, but the day that shaped my whole future was the day I went snorkeling off a rocky beach path among the most beautiful coral reef and was greeted by a green turtle. I knew I wanted to protect them forever.”

How she plans to use the $10K grant:

This funding will allow Kendra and her team at Coastal Connections, Inc. to establish a Beach Basket Pilot Program in two neighboring coastal counties for beach goers to conduct their own beach cleanups. Funding will support materials, installation, training with local partners, data management, and reporting for the 6-month pilot program period.

Support their work: Coastal-connections.org

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Social Impact Award

Our two winners will each receive $10,000 to help fund their impactful marine conservation projects as well as mentorship and support from experts on the Biossance team. We are so excited to see how their work will help to create a greener, healthier planet.

FAQs

  • 1Who is eligible?

    U.S. Residents, age 18 and up.
  • 2What kinds of projects are eligible?

    The Clean Academy Impact Award intends to showcase and recognize those individuals who are working towards a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Maybe in science class you began tinkering with a biodegradable alternative to plastic. Maybe you invented a robot to clear abandoned fishing nets out of the seas. Maybe you just spend your weekends rehabilitating injured marine animals or organizing other volunteers to clean up shorelines and beaches. Your project does not have to be a registered non-profit or 501(3)c, it just has to be something you’re passionate about and dedicated to.
  • 3Do I have to be a student?

    No, this award is open to all U.S. residents age 18 and up, regardless of student status.
  • 4I volunteer with an established charity—can I nominate them to receive the grant?

    The purpose of the Impact Award is to recognize individuals and those who have founded conservation groups in the early stages, rather than established organizations.
  • 5If I have multiple ideas for marine conservation projects, can I enter more than once?

    We welcome and encourage all submissions! Each will be assessed equally and against the same criteria.
  • 6What’s the next step after I submit my application?

    Our team at Biossance will evaluate all entries. If necessary, we will reach out to those selected for the next round and ask for more information about your project. Selected Finalists will be notified via phone and/or email on or about July 21, 2021.
  • 7What kind of information will you need?

    Those selected for the next round will be asked to provide more detailed information such as a signed affidavit (see above comment). We may also request additional reference materials (e.g. relevant social profiles, quotes, videos, photos, news articles, or testimonials that support your project, and we may ask for your availability for a Clean Academy digital event in August - September at which we will announce the winners.
  • 8How will the finalists and winners be chosen?

    A multidisciplinary panel of experts,including experts from Biossance and Clean Academy will be judging and evaluating all eligible entries based on the project’s potential future impact, any progress made or initiative taken on the project so far, how innovative the project is, and how feasible it is to execute and grow.
  • 9What’s the difference between the Science & Innovation and Social Impact Awards?

    We know that there are many ways to make a meaningful difference. The Science & Innovation Award will honor projects involving topics like chemistry, materials, inventions, or robotics. The Social Impact Award will celebrate projects such as raising awareness, encouraging volunteerism, providing on-the-ground support, and otherwise facilitating community activism.
  • 10When is the Clean Academy event where winners will be announced?

    Due to COVID-19, we cannot guarantee when and where this event will happen or any exact details at this time. We hope to host a digital event sometime between August - September 2021. We will work with the finalists to align on a date and share out details with them once available. If physical attendance is requested by Biossance, Biossance will cover the cost of travel and accommodations.
  • 11What if I can’t make the event when it gets scheduled?

    If you are selected as an Impact Award Winner, you will not be required to attend in order to receive your award. Biossance can work with you to participate remotely and be sure to provide details on the winners, next steps and ship anything to you that you would have received otherwise if attending.
  • 12What can I expect if I win?

    In addition to the award funding, recognition and celebration, Biossance wants to provide meaningful support toward accomplishing your conservation goals. You’ll get a year of quarterly brainstorming and strategy sessions with senior members of our Biossance and Clean Academy team who can best advise on your specific area of conservation. We may also provide updates on your progress to our Biossance community on social media, to further increase exposure and support for your project.
  • 13What if I have additional questions?

    Email us at award@biossance.com.
  • 14Clean Academy Impact Award Official Rules

    SECOND ANNUAL CLEAN ACADEMY BY BIOSSANCE IMPACT AWARD PROGRAM Official Rules NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The objective of the Clean Academy by Biossance Impact Award Program (“Program”) is to celebrate and recognize two unsung heroes protecting our planet by supporting their extraordinary efforts in the following two categories (a) Social Impact; and (b) Science and Innovation. These Official Rules summarize the high-level requirements and rules of the Program. The terms of the Official Rules are binding on entrants.
    • 1. SPONSOR.
      The Program is sponsored and produced by Amyris Clean Beauty, Inc. (“Sponsor”), owners and creators of the Clean Academy by Biossance, and the Biossance brand of skincare products, with offices at 5885 Hollis Street, Suite 100, Emeryville, CA 94608. The Program is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by or associated with any social media, including Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
    • 2. PROGRAM PERIOD.
      The Program begins on June 9, 2021 at 12:00:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (“PST”) and ends on July 8, 2021 at 11:59:59 p.m. PST (the “Program Period”). All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void outside of the United States and where prohibited by law.
    • 3. AGREEMENT TO RULES.
      By submitting an entry, each entrant (the “Entrant”) acknowledges acceptance of and compliance with these Official Rules and represents and warrants that Entrant has read these Official Rules, meets the eligibility requirements set forth herein and agrees to the Biossance Privacy Policy (available at https://biossance.com/pages/privacy-policy). In addition, Participant agrees to accept the decisions of Sponsor as final and binding as it relates to the Program. Winning an Impact Award is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
    • 4. ELIGIBILITY.
      The Program is open to all legal residents of United States (excluding U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories and possessions) who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry and who otherwise meet the requirements set out in these Official Rules. Employees and consultants of Sponsor and its affiliates, Sponsor’s advertising, promotion, judging and marketing agencies, and each of their respective employees (collectively, “Program Parties”), and their immediate family members (parent, child, sibling and spouse of each, regardless of where they reside) and those living in the same households of each (whether related or not) are not eligible to enter or win.
    • 5. HOW TO ENTER.
      To submit an Entry to the Program go to cleanacademy.com/award and fill out completely the information requested in the online entry form in the English language, including your personal information and all information under Section 6, describing how you have made an impact and are helping to protect and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic life and ecosystem (each an “Entry”). Sponsor reserves the right to require substantiation of the claims and stated facts contained in any Entry, and to disqualify an Entrant if such claims cannot be substantiated.

      Entries that do not meet the criteria will be disqualified. Entries must be the original content of the Entrant. You cannot submit an Entry on someone’s behalf. Acceptance of Entry is not proof that Entry meets the Entry requirements set forth herein. All Entries become property of Sponsor (provided that each Entrant retains ownership of the content, concept, ideas and other aspects of the Project) and none will be returned. Your computer must accept cookies, or any successor or similar technology, which may be used for the purpose of entry tracking. Use of automated processes and devices to submit electronic Entries is not permitted.
    • 6. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.
      A. Each Entry submitted must include: Entrant’s full name, contact information, a detailed description of the conversation project and Entrant’s plan to utilize the Impact Award to progress the project (the “Project”).
      Each Entry shall highlight, with respect to the Project:
      (i) How it impacts or has the potential to impact the future
      (ii) Its innovation
      (iii) Its feasibility (e.g. is the Project idea legally and technically feasible as well as economically justifiable?)
      (iv) Entrant efforts and progress to date to advance the Project
      B. Entrants are encouraged but not required to include reference materials (e.g. relevant social profiles, videos, photos, news articles, or testimonials) with each Entry submitted. Additional references, if provided, must be shared with a publicly available link.
      C. Each Entry must be Entrant’s original work. The Entry must not infringe the copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other intellectual property rights of any person or entity.
      D. Entry must not contain any content or material that is illegal, lewd, obscene, disparaging, defamatory, libelous, violent, racist, derogatory of any ethnic, racial, gender, religious, professional or age group or otherwise inappropriate or objectionable, as determined by the Judges or Sponsor in their sole and absolute discretion. Entries violating this provision will be disqualified.
      E. Entry must not contain any personally identifiable information of any person other than the Entrant. Should Entrant include personally identifiable information, Entrant acknowledges and agrees that such information may be disclosed publicly, and Entrant is solely responsible for the consequences thereof.
      F. Entrant agrees that Sponsor reserves the right to promote the Program and Entries received on social media channels and websites of Sponsor and Program Parties (as defined under Section 4) – sharing videos and photos submitted, which may also include the name and likeness of Entrant.
      G. Entrant agrees that Sponsor and judges reserve the right to request additional materials with respect to an Entry and to disqualify at any time any Entry that they determine in their sole and absolute discretion does not meet the requirements of the Official Rules or is in appropriate for any reason.
    • 7. FINALIST SELECTION. FINALISTS WILL BE CHOSEN BASED ON THE RESULTS OF AN INITIAL ELIGIBILITY REVIEW AND JUDGING.
      A. JUDGES. The judges will be a multidisciplinary panel of experts from the following entities (the “Judges”):
      (i) Biossance
      (ii) Oceana, a nonprofit ocean conservation organization focused on influencing specific policy decisions on the national level to preserve and restore the world's oceans
      (iii) Sephora, experts in personal care and beauty
      (iv) Partners of the Clean Academy by Biossance, an educational initiative created to provide high quality clean beauty education

      B. FINALIST SELECTION. The following criteria will be used for judging and evaluating all eligible Entries:
      (i) The impact of the Project for the future (25%)
      (ii) The innovation of the Project (25%)
      (v) The feasibility of the Project (25%).
      (vi) Entrant efforts and progress to date to advance the Project (25%)
      Based on these criteria, three Finalists in each of the two categories who receive the highest scores will be selected as Finalists. Program Judges may ask for additional information to inform their selection of Finalists. Decisions of Judges and Sponsor shall be final and binding in all respects. In the event of a tie, tied Entries will be re-judged based solely on the “how the Project impacts or has the potential to impact the future” judging criteria.
      The Selected Finalists will be notified on July 21, 2021 at the contact information provided on the Entry form during and/or Sponsor will send each selected Finalist an e-mail to the provided e-mail address. Failure to reach a Finalist by e-mail after two (2) attempts may result in disqualification, and selection of a substitute Finalist from among all remaining eligible entries.
      In the event that a selected Finalist fails to respond to a notification (if any) that Sponsor send to such selected Finalist, withdraws from the Program, does not comply with any term or condition of these Official Rules, or is determined to be ineligible, Sponsor may select an alternate Finalist and the eligible Entry with the next highest score will become Finalist. Sponsor in its sole discretion may also choose not to replace any Finalist.
      C. IMPACT AWARD RECIPIENT SELECTION. From the six Finalists selected (three for each category), there will be one winner for each category (each an “Impact Award Recipient”) determined and announced during the Clean Academy by Biossance Impact Award Ceremony as described below. Decisions of Judges and Sponsor shall be final and binding in all respects.
      Each Impact Award Recipient will be selected by the Judges from among the eligible Finalists based on the following criteria:
      (i) The impact of the Project for the future (25%)
      (ii) The innovation of the Project (20%)
      (iii) The feasibility of the Project (25%).
      (iv) Entrant efforts and progress to date to advance the Project (20%)
      (v) The Sponsor will also actively poll social media voters on Finalist Entries starting on July 30, 2021 at 12:00:00 a.m. PST and ending on August 6, 2021at 2:59:59 p.m. PST (10%).
      The two Finalists (one in each category) who receive the highest scores during this round of judging will be selected as Impact Award Recipient. In the event of a tie, tied entries will be re-judged based entirely on the “innovation of the Project” (50%) and “feasibility of the Project (50%)” judging criteria.
    • 8. PRIZES.
      Two Impact Awards Recipients will be awarded the following: o $10,000 cash o Business mentorship and advisory support for the Project from senior members of the Biossance team, including four meetings scheduled quarterly, to be held digitally, by phone or in-person. Each meeting will last approximately one hour and be attended by senior members of the Biossance team and the Clean Academy Judging Panel pending on availability. • In advance of or during each meeting, Impact Award Recipients must present to Sponsor a progress update for their Project, which may include relevant reference materials, videos, photos, testimonials, news articles, or key metrics of success. The total cash value of each Award is $10,000. Total cash value of all two Impact Awards being offered is $20,000. Awards consist solely of the items and benefits specifically listed, may not be transferred or redeemed for cash, and are subject to all terms and conditions of use as established by Sponsor. No substitutions are allowed except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. All Awards will be awarded.
    • 9. WINNING ENTRIES; NOTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE.
      A. One winning Entry per each of the following two categories: (a) Science & Innovation, and (b) Social Impact, will be determined by Judges on August 9- August 20th, 2021.

      B. Impact Award Recipients will be notified and publicly announced during the Impact Award Ceremony to be held on a date between August 10, 2021 and August 20, 2020 (with the definitive date to be determined by Sponsor in its sole reasonable discretion, and taking into consideration health and safety concerns and/or government orders and guidelines). The Impact Award Ceremony date and details will be determined and shared with the Impact Award Finalists in advance of the Event.

      C. Each Impact Award Recipient will be required to complete an affidavit to certify that their Entry complies with all Program requirements and these Official Rules, a liability and publicity release (except where prohibited by law), which must be returned as directed by Sponsors. Failure to sign and return the affidavit or release within 48 hours after request, or failure to comply with any term or condition of these Official Rules, may result in an Impact Award Recipient’s disqualification, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the prizes and the award of the prizes to a substitute Impact Award Recipient. Except where prohibited, acceptance of any Impact Award constitutes an Impact Award Recipient’s consent to the publication of his or her name, biographical information and likeness in any media for any commercial or promotional purpose of Sponsor or the Program Parties, without limitation (including websites, social media channels and public relations communications), or further compensation. Impact Awards not won and claimed by eligible Impact Award Recipients in accordance with these Official Rules will not be awarded and will remain the property of Sponsors.

      D. Impact Award Recipients will be required to provide quarterly Project progress updates, which may be featured on the Biossance and Clean Academy by Biossance websites at CleanAcademy.com and may be promoted on Biossance social media channels at least during a period commencing upon acceptance of the Impact Award and ending around one year later (approximately September 10, 2020– September 18, 2021).

      NOTE: The objective of the Program is to support the Project presented by Impact Award Recipients. If an Impact Award Recipient abandons the Project or fails to submit Progress reports or attend Mentorship meetings, Sponsor may request such Impact Award Recipients to return any unused funds to Sponsor or to have such funds donated to a charity of Sponsor’s choice.
    • 10. OTHER AWARD CONDITIONS.
      Sponsor reserves the right in their sole and absolute discretion to substitute an award component with other of equal or greater value. Impact Awards are non-transferable and may not be given, bartered, substituted, sold, or exchanged for cash or another award. All award details are at Sponsors’ sole discretion. Impact Awards are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied. No transfer or substitution of any award is allowed, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Impact Award Recipients must comply with all Program rules as published. Non-response to Impact Award notification within 48 hours; and/or failure to provide any other required documentation in a timely manner may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate Impact Award Recipient. Non-winning Entrants will not be notified.
      All taxes, if applicable, and all other costs associated with acceptance or use of the Impact Award, not specified herein, are the sole responsibility of the Impact Award Recipient.
      Impact Award Recipient’s Entry constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) for the Sponsor to use Impact Award Recipient’s name, photograph, likeness, likeness captured in video, recipe and other submitted content, statements, biographical information, voice, and address (city and state) on a worldwide basis, and in all forms of media, in perpetuity, without notice or further compensation.
    • 11. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
      Program is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws. By participating, Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and waive any right to claim ambiguity in regard to the mechanics of the Program or the interpretation of these Official Rules. Sponsor’s decisions are final on all matters relating to the Program.
      By submitting an Entry (and, if applicable, by receipt of an Impact Award), each Entrant agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsors and each of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, suppliers, distributors, advertising/promotion agencies, and prize suppliers, and each of their respective officers, directors, members, employees and agents (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death, or damage to or loss of property, arising out of participation in the Program or, for each Impact Award Recipient, receipt or use or misuse of the Impact Award.
      Entrants and Impact Award Recipients also agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, their respective affiliates from and against any claims, damages or liability due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind, resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, receipt, use or misuse of the Impact Award, or participation in this Program.
      Sponsor, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with, or utilized in, this Program, or by any technical or human error that may occur in the processing and/or transmissions in the Program. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, Entries.
      Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email due to technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof, including injury or damage to Entrant’s or to any other person’s computer related to, or resulting from, participating in or downloading of materials in this Program. If, for any reason, the Program is not capable of running as planned, including, without limitation, infection by computer virus, bugs, worms, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsor that may corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Program, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Program, and select Impact Award Recipients from all eligible Entries received up to the time of termination.
      Use of fraudulent methods or other attempts to circumvent the Official Rules will result in an Entry being removed from eligibility in the sole discretion of Sponsor. Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with the mechanics or logistics of this Program will be declared ineligible and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
      This Contest is governed by the laws of the United States and the State of California, without respect to conflict of law doctrines. As a condition of participating in this Contest, Participant agrees that any and all disputes and causes of action against Sponsor arising out of or in connection with the Program shall be resolved individually (without resort to any form of class action). Such dispute shall be resolved by mediation and binding arbitration. Arbitration shall be in accordance with the California Arbitration Act and held in Alameda County, California. The dispute will be resolved by a single arbitrator to be selected by the parties. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will Participants be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waive all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages, including attorneys’ fees, and Participants further waive all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
      The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained therein.
    • 12. WINNERS LIST.
      Winners names will be announced on the Biossance and Clean Academy website, social media channels and other media following the announcement of Impact Award Recipients and ending around September 30, 2021. To receive written confirmation of the Impact Award Recipients, send an email a request to award@biossance.com no later than August 15, 2021.
    • 13. PRIVACY
      Entrants agree that personally identifiable information submitted as part of the Program will be used to administer the Program, select and announce the Finalists and Impact Award Recipients, fulfill the Impact Award and as otherwise described in these Official Rules and will be treated in accordance with the Biossance Privacy Policy.