The Young Water Diplomats Program is an interdisciplinary training and networking program for early-career diplomats engaged in international water and environmental politics. The program features online and in-person learning activities to enhance participants’ understanding of transboundary water challenges and advance their ability to use tools for water cooperation and diplomacy. There are a limited number of fellowships for applicants from low- and middle-income countries. The application deadline is 29 November 2026. Young Water Diplomats Program
Category: Water Resources
The Erasmus Mundus Master’s programs Flood Risk Management (FRM) and Groundwater and Global Change (GroundwatCh) are open for application. All four programs include studies at three institutions in three different countries. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis. Applications have to be submitted by 03 January 2027. EMJM Scholarships
The ABCD-Centre offers two nine-month research scholarships in Germany. They are for doctoral students from developing countries, to research water security and climate adaptation at RWTH Aachen, TU Dresden or UNU Resource Nexus in Dresden. Each scholarship pays €1,200 a month for accommodation and living costs, up to €105 a month for insurance and up to €1,000 for travel. A further €1,000 for research materials goes through the host institution. Applicants must be full-time PhD students at a university in a developing country who started their PhD within the last three years. Priority topics include water infrastructure modelling and digital twins, ecosystem monitoring, urban climate-driven water extremes, business models for unconventional water resources, and eco-friendly building materials. The deadline is 31 October 2026. Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships
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
UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) invites nominations for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The award supports research and development of new and innovative technologies that produce, distribute, and purify water using renewable energy to support poverty- and disaster-stricken communities worldwide. Prizes vary according to category from US$20 thousand to US$150 thousand. Suqia invites corporations, research centers, institutions, innovators and youth from around the world, whose novel technologies provide solutions to the challenges of water scarcity, to participate in the awards. The deadline for nominations is 30 September 2026. Visit Suqia
The Free Rivers Fund announces grants to support initiatives and actions in defense of free-flowing rivers. The Fund provides grants for activist and conservation groups that commit to the fight to protect rivers from dams and development. The total amount of funding is not fixed but depends on the total incoming donations. Generally, supported grantees can expect between €1000 and €2000. The application deadline is 10 January 2027. Details here
The Saudi Water Authority invites innovators, researchers, universities, and specialized institutions worldwide to submit water-sector innovations to the Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW), across six categories: desalination, water reclamation, conservation, digital water management, environmental sustainability, and wastewater solutions. Winners receive monetary awards; amounts are not specified on this source. Open to any nationality, at no cost to enter. The deadline is 30 September 2026. Global Prize for Innovation in Water
The Fair Water Action Fund supports civil society organizations, journalists, and researchers in the Global South—especially in Africa—to promote water justice and hold governments and corporations accountable for water security. Grants range from £3,000 to £36,000 for projects up to 12 months that focus on advocacy, community monitoring, investigative reporting, and systemic change. Eligible applicants include grassroots networks, NGOs, academic centers, and independent media. Priority is given to countries facing water scarcity and governance challenges. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Fair Water Action Fund
The National Geographic Society invites proposals under a Request for Proposals for scientific research on ecological dynamics in the Okavango River Basin, spanning Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. National Geographic will hold an informational webinar on 01 September 2026 ahead of the deadline. General eligibility across all Society RFPs requires applicants to be 18 or older, and the Society states a preference for applicants with strong ties to the local context. Applicants may lead only one active proposal at a time, and anyone who previously led a National Geographic Society grant must submit that project’s final report before applying to lead a new one. The deadline is 23 September 2026. Ecological Research
- Tags: Africa, individuals, research, september2026, water
The Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE) launches a call for projects to fund work on the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, the sustainable use and management of water resources, and the development of sustainable financing mechanisms for freshwater conservation. Grants range from €100 thousand to €500 thousand (with 25% co-financing required for requests over €300 thousand). The call is open to NGOs, scientific institutions, local authorities, and small private enterprises in the region. The deadline for submission is 15 October 2026. Link to DIMFE