Wild Animal Initiative provides grants for research projects that help us understand and improve the lives of wild animals. Challenge grants researchers exploring critical research questions that will unlock new avenues of wild animal welfare research and are not prioritized by other funders. Grant size varies from US$50 thousand to US$100 thousand. Challenge grants program is open to experienced researchers, but can include financial support for students or other early-career collaborators. Expressions of Interest have to be submitted by 14 November 2025. Challenge Grants
Day: October 1, 2025
Wild Animal Initiative — Discovery Grants
The Wild Animal Initiative provides funding for projects that expand the evidence base of wild animal welfare. Discovery Grants are available to early career researchers (postdocs and PhD students) pursuing a long-term research career in wild animal welfare and established researchers who seek to expand their research portfolio to include wild animal welfare. Grant size varies from US$10 thousand to US$50 thousand. Projects must be led by a principal investigator affiliated with a university or other research institution. Expressions of Interest have to be submitted by 14 November 2025. Discovery Grants
Caribbean Biodiversity Fund — Advancing Circular Economy
The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) seeks applications for projects that promote and apply practical circular economy principles to minimize or prevent waste from entering the marine environment. Grant funding amounts range from US$400 thousand to US$2 million and need to be complemented by co-financing. Eligible countries are Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Applications can be submitted until 25 November 2025. Details here
Startupbootcamp — Energy & Climate
Startupbootcamp provides access to funding, supporting the development of innovative solutions in climate change, resource conservation, and renewable energy. The accelerator supports startups developing solutions with the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges in energy and sustainability. Participants have access to a 3-month in-person accelerator designed to enable growth at speed, and €25 thousand cash investment per startup to cover expenses during the program, plus €100 thousand in-kind services. Applications close on 07 December 2025. Accelerator program
Startupbootcamp — Food & Agritech
Startupbootcamp provides access to funding, supporting the development of innovative solutions across sectors such as vertical farming, regenerative agriculture, food supply chain optimization, agritech hardware, sustainable packaging, alternative proteins, precision agriculture, food waste reduction, and agri-fintech. The accelerator supports startups developing solutions with the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Participants have access to a 3-month in-person accelerator designed to enable growth at speed, and €25 thousand cash investment per startup to cover expenses during the program, plus €100 thousand in-kind services. Applications close on 07 December 2025. Accelerator Food & Agritech
United Nations — Tourism Innovation Challenge
The UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge calls on startups, scaleups, and entrepreneurs globally to propose tech-driven solutions in three categories—Community-based Tourism, Inclusivity & Accessibility, and Green Projects. Selected finalists receive benefits including scholarships from Sommet Education Foundation (for hospitality programs at Les Roches), mentorship via the UN Tourism Innovation Network, opportunities to pitch at UN Tourism Demo Day, access to investors and corporate networks. Applications close 08 December 2025. Tourism Social Innovation Challenge
World Wildlife Fund — Faculty Fellowship
The Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program provides funding support to current and aspiring university faculty that are affiliated with or currently employed at African, Asian, and Latin American and Caribbean universities. Applicants may apply for up to three years of funding and request up to US$30 thousand per year. The deadline to apply is 18 December 2025. Faculty Fellowship
Science for People and Nature Partnership — Critical Conservation Challenges
In support of the United Nations agenda on sustainable development, the Science for People and Nature Partnership (SNAPP) aims to find solutions for problems at the interface of economic development, nature conservation, and human well-being. SNAPP operates through working groups that represent 200 institutions from more than 30 countries. SNAPP provides up to US$1 million total across 4-6 working groups. Proposals are invited from researchers and practitioners of any nationality affiliated with an academic, governmental, multilateral, or non-profit institution. Individuals operating independently are also eligible to apply. Proposals from low- and middle-income countries are especially welcome. The deadline for proposals is 06 January 2026. Science for Nature and People Partnership
Lighthouse Foundation — Coastal and Marine Conservation
The Lighthouse Foundation promotes science and research, teaching, culture, and the principles of environmentalism and international development in relation to the world’s seas and oceans. Funded partners of the Lighthouse Foundation are conservation NGOs, community NGOs, universities and educational organizations, and government organizations. There is no application form. Link
Sea of Change Foundation — Reef Rescue and Rapid Response
Reef Rescue and Rapid Response grants seek to empower divers and their communities to act as first responders to localized impacts on coral reefs. Funds support the immediate response to coral reef damage from anchor drops, vessel groundings, entanglement, oil spills, and acute pollution that impact coral reefs. The grants will support divers and their communities in responding quickly to a reef-damaging incident by helping cover immediate costs such as boat fuel, staff time, video cameras, lift bags, transect tapes and handheld GPS units. These grants range from US$500 to US$5,000 per project and are available on a rolling basis and as funds are available. Reef Rescue and Rapid Response Grants