The SAIS Accelerator (Scaling Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups) offers a one-year, equity-free programme for technology-driven African start-ups in dairy and aquaculture. Participants receive up to €15,000 in technical assistance budget and an additional sector conference, plus investor introductions and pitch sessions. Eligible start-ups can later apply for a Scale-up Grant of up to €40,000 and working capital loans of up to €50,000. Applicants must be for-profit and registered in Africa. Priority areas are dairy animal health, genetics and feed (Kenya and Ethiopia) and aquaculture genetics and feed (Nigeria and Senegal), though start-ups elsewhere in Africa are welcome. The deadline is 15 November 2026. Details here
Funding News
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) invites national and large sub-national farmers’ organizations to design and run targeted interventions for smallholder farmers hit by compounding crises. Applicants choose one primary pillar: access to inputs and production support, small-scale infrastructure, access to finance, or access to markets and market information. A total of US$500,000 is available, with two projects expected at up to US$250,000 each for up to 12 months. The call covers 20 priority countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Malawi, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Mozambique, Haiti, Cuba, Honduras, Bolivia, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Chad. Applicants must be legally registered non-profit farmers’ organizations whose members are mainly smallholders. The deadline is 20 November 2026. Know more
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes individuals, institutions, or organizations that have developed innovative approaches, technologies, or practices with a clear and positive impact on food security, sustainable agrifood systems, natural resource management, or rural livelihoods. The award includes a cash prize of US$10 thousand and an official certificate of recognition. Eligible nominees may come from the public or private sector, civil society, academia, or international organizations, and nominations must be endorsed by an FAO Representative or FAO senior official. The deadline to submit nominations is 31 December 2026. FAO Award for Innovation
Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife
The Institute of International Education and OceanX invite applications for the Ocean Futures Fellowship to support the next generation of professionals addressing global ocean challenges. This 12-month remote program is open to individuals at least 21 years old who hold a bachelor’s degree and have full professional proficiency in English. Fellows can apply for one of five specialized roles: AI, digital asset and archives, immersive media, marketing and communications, or partnerships. Participants receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the fellowship and may have the opportunity to travel aboard the OceanXplorer vessel. The deadline for applications is 17 November 2026. More information
The Morris Animal Foundation supports research on animal health and welfare, including wildlife/exotics. The Foundation provides veterinary students with the opportunity to become involved in mentored research that advances the health and/or welfare of companion animals and wildlife exotics. The Veterinary Student Scholars program awards stipends up to US$5.500 to veterinary students. The program is open to currently enrolled veterinary students from all around the world. Applications are due 25 November 2026. Veterinary Student Scholar Program
Ocean Culture Life offers storytelling grants of £1,000, £3,000 and £5,000 to creators around the world, giving them funding, a platform and support to bring ocean stories to life. Formats include film, photography, essays, audio and illustration, and stories should inspire, educate or encourage protection of the ocean. The application deadline is 01 December 2026. Storytelling Grants
Energy, Climate Change
The EnAccess Foundation funds Innovation Pilot projects and Moonshot concepts focusing on providing energy access. EnAccess provides up to US$250 thousand for projects that are ready to be built and prototyped (e.g., hardware, software, business models) and US$50 thousand for ambitious research ideas in the conceptual stage (e.g., analysis and modeling). Eligibility extends to start-ups, companies, non-profits, individual innovators, investors, and researchers. Moonshot concepts and Innovation Pilot proposals can be submitted anytime. Energy Access
The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) will hold a regional hackathon in Kenya, to identify, test and promote youth-led innovations that improve the delivery, accessibility, relevance and use of climate services. Participants must be 18 to 35 years old and nationals of, or based in, an IGAD member state. Participants present their solutions to technical experts, an evaluation panel and potential partners. Applications close on 06 November 2026. Know more
- Tags: Africa, awards/prizes, climate, individuals, november2026, youth
Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) supports projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity projects that have climate relevance. The focus of the IKI Medium Grants scheme is to provide support to the implementation of projects addressing the global loss of biodiversity in connection with climate change. Each project can receive a grant of between €300 thousand to a maximum of €800 thousand over a period of two to three years. Funding is available for non-profit organizations (associations, foundations, think tanks) and academic institutions (universities and research institutions), as well as non-profit companies in Germany. Projects have to be implemented in collaboration with local implementing organizations in ODA countries. Project outlines can be submitted by 12 January 2027. Climate Initiative Medium Grants
Water Resources
The International Water Association (IWA) opens the third cohort of their fellowship for Young Water Professionals aged 18 to 35. This cohort focuses on innovation and uptake of technology in the water sector, in three areas: applied research and product or solution innovation, financial mechanisms and business models, and capacity building. Applicants need an existing idea, prototype or early pilot addressing a water challenge. The fellowship is expected to cover economy flights, meals, single-occupancy accommodation, ground transport, travel insurance and visa fees for required travel. Applications close on 05 November 2026. Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship
- Tags: fellowships/scholarships, november2026, water, worldwide, youth
The Freshwater Biodiversity Information System for Africa (FBIS Africa) offers small grants of US$5,000 to US$10,000 to publish existing African freshwater biodiversity data that is not yet on GBIF. Funds cover data collation and digitisation, cleaning and quality control, georeferencing, metadata preparation and formatting. Eligible data holders include universities, research institutions, museums, government agencies, NGOs, freshwater programmes, and individual researchers working through an eligible host institution. Eligible groups are freshwater fishes, amphibians, molluscs, crustaceans, and the insect orders Odonata, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Megaloptera. Applications close on 09 November 2026. Link
- Tags: Africa, biodiversity, nonprofit orgs, november2026, research, universities, water
Onewater, UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme and UNEP invite photographers worldwide to submit photo stories on water and health, with a focus on wastewater: sanitation, polluted rivers, nature-based treatment, resource recovery and wastewater surveillance for pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Prizes range from $200 to $3,000, with a separate Youth Wastewater Award for photographers aged 25 or under. Each entry needs 5 to 10 photographs, a 2,500 to 8,000 character story, captions and a signed photo license. Entries close on 29 November 2026. Water Photostory Contest
- Tags: awards/prizes, media/journalism, november2026, water, worldwide, youth
Cross-Cutting
The Planet Health Film Fund supports five filmmakers with £20,000 each to make a 10-minute documentary and short social cuts on the links between human health and the health of the environment. Filmmakers get an online development programme with masterclasses and production support. Applicants must be international directors aged 18 or over who have previously directed at least one completed film that was festival-selected or commissioned or distributed by an established platform. They must also have a legally registered production company, because awards cannot be paid to individuals. The deadline is 16 November 2026. Planet Health Film Fund
The Global Thinkers Forum brings together a diverse network of thought leaders to share their visions of the future, create meaningful conversations around them, and effect positive change in the world. The program consists of an 8-month mentoring cycle that includes one-on-one sessions with experienced thought leaders and individuals aged between 18 and 29 from all over the world. The program’s mentors are successful individuals across several professional fields and countries. The application deadline is 23 November 2026. Become a Global Thinkers Mentee
IREX Community Solutions is a professional development program for community leaders in eligible countries to participate in a four-month fellowship with a local nonprofit organization or government agency in the USA. The subject areas include environmental issues (among others). Applications are accepted from eligible countries in East Asia and the Pacific; South and Central Asia; Sub-Saharan Africa; North Africa and the Middle East; Europe; and Latin America and the Caribbean. Grants are for visa support, international travel, insurance, and a living allowance. The application deadline is 24 November 2026. About the Program