UNEP invites community-based organisations and associations, civil society organisations, local and national NGOs, government institutions and regional not-for-profits that work directly with coastal and island communities in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. Grants are up to US$100 thousand each, for community-led projects to restore coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows, to develop blue carbon and carbon finance that improves coastal livelihoods, or to empower women, youth and Indigenous peoples in ecosystem management. Applicants must commit significant co-financing in cash or in kind. The deadline is 02 November 2026. Small Grants
Ilka Westermeyer
Sequoia Park Zoo — Conservation Grant Program
The Sequoia Park Zoo supports field research, habitat restoration, rescue and rehabilitation efforts, public awareness campaigns, and annual lecture series. The Zoo also offers an annual Conservation Grant Program, awarding up to US$3,000 per project, for work that delivers clear, measurable impact on wildlife or habitat conservation. Applicants must be affiliated with a conservation-related organization or an education institution. Pre-proposals can be submitted until 02 November 2026. Conservation Grant Program
Hatch Blue — Women in Ocean Food
Hatch Blue invites women-led blue economy startups to apply for an equity-free business support programme focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. Topics include sustainable and regenerative aquaculture, marine biotech, seafood value chains, seafood waste reuse and blue carbon. The programme pays all travel, accommodation and food for two participants per team, but gives no cash or equity investment. Teams must be led or founded by women, or have women as real decision-makers, and have at least one participant, ideally two co-founders. Applications close on 07 November 2026. Women in Ocean Food
African Leadership Academy — Anzisha Prize for Young Innovators
The Anzisha Prize seeks young innovators ages 15-22 in Africa who develop and implement innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. Past awards include innovations in energy, agriculture, and ecological consumer products. The grand prize winners will share prizes worth US$140 thousand. Applicants must be nationals of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/beneficiaries. The next application closes on 10 November 2026. Anzisha Prize
Dalai Lama Fellows — Mentorship for Emerging Leaders
The Dalai Lama Fellowship offers emerging leaders from all around the world mentorship and coaching to design and implement their own original field projects addressing a global challenge. Project areas include environmental sustainability, among others. The fellowship does not offer funding for projects, instead, it offers coaching and a global community. This program is open to next-generation leaders (20-35 years old). The deadline for applications is 11 November 2026. Dalai Lama Fellows
Unearthodox — Exploration Co-Lab 2027
Unearthodox invites early-stage initiatives working at the intersection of environmental and societal change to apply to its Exploration Co-Lab, a 10-month incubator for systemic, root-cause work addressing humanity’s relationship with nature. Selected participants receive CHF 10,000 in grant funding, plus access to an estimated CHF 60,000 in non-financial support, including coaching, systems mapping, and community connection. Open to applicants worldwide, with particular welcome for underrepresented voices. The deadline is 16 November 2026. Exploration Co-Lab
Italian Agency for Development Cooperation — Agroforestry Value Chains in Uganda
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) invites proposals for Trees 4 Karamoja, a 36-month project to restore forest and tree cover in five districts of Uganda’s Karamoja region (Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk and Amudat). The project develops regenerative agroforestry value chains that raise incomes for communities, especially women and youth. AICS will award one grant of €1.78 million, covering 100% of project costs, with no co-financing required. Only non-profit organisations on Italy’s register of civil society organisations can lead an application. Each applicant must work with at least one local civil society organisation. The call and all application documents are in Italian. The deadline is 18 November 2026. More details
Mo Ibrahim Foundation — Leadership Fellowships
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation invites young African professionals, mid-career and new executives to apply for a 12-month fellowship working in the executive office of the African Development Bank, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, or the International Trade Centre, with a stipend of $100,000, direct mentorship from the host organisation’s head, and lifelong membership in the Foundation’s Now Generation Network. Applicants must be African nationals with at least 7 years of relevant work experience, a master’s degree, and be under 40, or under 45 for women with children. Each host institution runs its own separate application process. The deadline is 20 November 2026. Link to Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Imagine H2O — Water Startup Accelerator
Imagine H2O invites early-stage water startups from anywhere in the world to apply for its 2027 accelerator programs. It offers mentorship, training, introductions to a network of technology adopters and investors, and showcase opportunities at industry events. It takes no equity, and no cash award is stated. Startups must be under 10 years old, with revenue under US$5 million and equity investment under US$10 million. Meetings run on Pacific time mornings, which means evenings for African applicants. Applications close 20 November 2026. Water Startup Accelerator
World Academy of Sciences — Research Professorships in Least-Developed Countries
TWAS funds selected TWAS members to assist with building research capacity in the least-developed countries (LDCs). During a period of five years, each funded professor will be expected to make three visits to a host institution in a partner LDC, for a minimum stay of one month each visit. TWAS will provide travel support while living expenses are covered by the host institution. Requests need to be submitted by research groups and scientific institutions in the LDCs. The application deadline is 23 November 2026. Read more