The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs supports innovative, locally grounded solutions that strengthen resilience to climate-driven extreme events such as floods, landslides, heatwaves, droughts, and glacial hazards in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. The call is open to local organizations, NGOs, research institutions, social enterprises, startups, and community-based groups working in or with communities in HKH countries. Selected innovators can receive up to US$100 thousand in grant funding, along with technical assistance, and mentoring. Applications are accepted until 15 January 2026. Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs
Ilka Westermeyer
German Academic Exchange Service — In-Region Southeast Asia Scholarships
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and SERCA offer MS and PhD scholarships in agriculture at partner universities in Southeast Asia. The scholarship is open to nationals from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam planning to pursue graduate studies in development-related fields. The scholarship covers tuition, study and research allowance, food and accommodation, in-region travel, and insurance. The deadline for application is 15 January 2026. DAAD Scholarship
Halcyon — Global Climate Fellowship
The Halcyon Global Climate Fellowship is a six-month fellowship designed to support climate-focused startups and social enterprises working on mitigation, adaptation, or resilience solutions, particularly those led by entrepreneurs from underserved or historically marginalized communities worldwide. The program is open to for-profit or nonprofit ventures with a market-ready solution and at least one dedicated founder, and provides up to US$25 thousand in funding, along with tailored business support, mentorship, leadership training, and investor access. The application deadline is 15 January 2026. Global Climate Fellowship
Cornell University — Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces
The Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces (STAARS) fellowship program announces its annual call for research proposals. STAARS Fellows will be paired with researcher mentors from Cornell University or the World Bank with whom they will jointly author a paper on a topic of mutual interest relating to structural transformation in Africa south of the Sahara. The call is open to early career researchers, either Ph.D. students in their final year prior to degree completion. The selected applicants will receive funds to cover travel and participation in a three-week mentorship program. The deadline to submit a research proposal is 16 January 2026. Link to STAARS Fellowship
Grawemeyer Awards — Idea Competition
The Grawemeyer Awards recognize transformative, practical ideas that promote world peace, global security, human rights, or international cooperation. The award focuses on specific works, such as books, essays or analytical papers, that offer new and practical ways to improve world order. The competition is open to individuals or teams anywhere in the world. The award includes a US$100 thousand prize. Entries must be submitted by 30 January 2026. Grawemeyer Awards
African Women in Agricultural Research and Development — Women in Agricultural Sciences
African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) announces the AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science. The call targets young women in science under 35 years of age from Kenya, Malawi, and Senegal. Selected candidates will participate in a nine-month capacity building program. The call for applications closes on 31 January 2026. AWARD Leadership Program
Harvard University — Arboretum Research Scholar Award
The Arboretum Research Scholar Award supports early-career scientists, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers conducting plant-focused research that aligns with the Arboretum’s living collections, herbarium, archives, or scientific priorities in areas such as botany, ecology, evolution, and conservation. Awardees receive up to US$10 thousand to support research expenses including travel, lodging, materials, or access to Arboretum resources. The program is open to researchers worldwide, and projects may be short-term or exploratory in nature. Applications are accepted until 01 February 2026. Arboretum Research Scholar Award
Mongabay — Conservation Reporting Fellowship Program
The Mongabay Conservation Reporting Fellowship Program supports up to 12 fellows per year. Fellows will gain experience working with a range of editors at international news outlets, develop their environmental reporting skills, and create a portfolio of original publications to help them advance their careers in journalism. Each fellow will receive US$500 a month for the duration of the six-month fellowship (US$3,000 in total). The fellowship is open to anyone from a low- to upper-middle-income tropical country. The application deadline is 01 February 2026. Conservation Reporting Fellowship Program
International Fund for Animal Welfare — International Youth Art Contest
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) invites young artists worldwide to submit original hand-drawn artwork to the World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest 2026. The theme is “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”. Finalists and winners will be showcased at the official World Wildlife Day (March 2026). The contest is free to enter, and all artwork must be created with traditional media (markers, crayons, colored pencils, or paint), scanned or photographed in high resolution, and submitted online by 01 February 2026. Youth Art Contest
United Nations University — MSc in Sustainability Science 2026
The UNU’s Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) offers an MSc degree program to produce scholars who will become key researchers in the field of sustainability science. UNU-IAS seeks to incorporate perspectives on global change, specifically those related to climate change and biodiversity. The Japan Foundation offers the UNU Scholarship to outstanding applicants from developing countries who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance. The deadline to apply for the MSc program is 01 February 2026. Overview