The World Food Forum invites young entrepreneurs to apply for its Startup Innovation Awards. The program highlights youth-led startups using technology to transform agrifood systems, end global hunger, and meet sustainable development goals. Eligibility is limited to startups with at least one founder or executive between 18 and 35 years old. Award winners receive at least US$7,500 per category, while the overall “Startup of the Year” receives an additional US$10 thousand prize. Applications are open globally and must be submitted by 01 April 2026. WFF Startup Innovation Awards
Funding News
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry
The World Food Prize Foundation hosts the Innovate for Impact Challenge to accelerate agricultural technology solutions that address global food security. Early-stage, for-profit AgTech startups from any country are eligible to apply. The winner receives a US$50 thousand grand prize, while second and third-place finalists receive US$10 thousand and US$5 thousand respectively. All three finalists gain international exposure by pitching their innovations live at the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa. The deadline for applications is 15 April 2026. Innovate for Impact Challenge
The Plant Nutrition Scholar Award program offers ten awards of US$2,000 to students in the disciplines of soil science, agronomy, and horticultural or tree crop science with a focus on plant nutrition. Students must also be attending a degree-granting institution located in Africa. Candidates must be enrolled in a program of graduate study as of the application deadline of 30 April 2026. Plant Nutrition Scholar Award
Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife
The G20 Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP) invites applications for the Coral Local Innovation Program (CLIP) to support research and development for coral conservation and restoration. This small grants program is open to organizations based in low- and middle-income countries, including non-profits, for-profit businesses, research institutes, and government agencies. The program provides up to US$100 thousand for projects lasting one to two years, with a requirement that the majority of funding be allocated to local individuals. The deadline for concept note submissions is 10 March 2026. Coral Local Innovation Program
The World Bank Group hosts the Youth Summit Pitch Competition to support young innovators developing solutions for the future of work. Individuals or teams of up to five members, aged 18 to 35, from World Bank member countries are eligible to apply with projects focused on education, entrepreneurship, or agriculture. While there is no direct cash prize, finalists receive travel support to present their ideas at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., along with specialized coaching and post-summit mentoring from International Finance Corporation (IFC) experts. The deadline for applications is 11 March 2026. Know more
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers grants to strengthen biodiversity reporting and increase public awareness of environmental threats. These grants support projects that produce in-depth journalism, such as investigative series or podcasts, and may include capacity-building activities like journalist training and field reporting trips. Eligibility is open to media organizations, journalist networks, and journalism-focused institutions based in low- and middle-income countries. The program provides three to four grants, each valued between €10,000 and €12,000. Applications must be submitted by 28 March 2026. Biodiversity Media Grants
Energy, Climate Change
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad invite applications for the Clean Energy for Development program to support renewable energy projects in developing countries. This call is specifically for commercial enterprises in the renewable energy sector focusing on on-grid and mini-grid solutions. Eligible projects include development studies and the construction of basic public infrastructure, such as grid equipment or access roads, which must be transferred to public ownership upon completion. The grant covers up to 50% of eligible project costs and is disbursed in arrears, requiring the applicant to finance the remaining 50% and manage initial expenses. While no fixed grant amount is specified, applicants must demonstrate technical and administrative capacity and a deep understanding of the local context. The deadline for applications is 24 March 2026. Link to Norad
The European Training Foundation (ETF) invites applications for the Green Skills Award 2026 to recognize excellence in developing skills for the low-carbon economy. The award is open to a wide range of applicants, including schools, training centers, businesses, NGOs, and government agencies, particularly from ETF partner countries (South and Eastern Mediterranean, Western Balkans and Türkiye, Eastern Partnership, and Central Asia). The program highlights innovative projects that help workers and students adapt to the green transition. Ten finalists will be selected to participate in a high-level event, and three winners will receive an award. The deadline for applications is 27 March 2026. Green Skills Award
The AGYLE program connects emerging business leaders from Africa and Europe to build a long-term network focused on sustainable economic cooperation. The 2026 theme, “GreenTech for Impact,” targets young entrepreneurs and professionals developing solutions in renewable energy, climate-tech, agri-tech, and sustainable mobility. Eligibility is open to individuals up to 40 years of age with at least three years of leadership experience or who have founded their own company. Applicants must be from or have worked for at least five years in Austria, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, or Tunisia. Selected participants attend a fully funded “Live Week” in Berlin. The deadline for applications is 01 April 2026. Link to AGYLE
Water Resources
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) invites its subscribing utilities to submit pre-proposals for the Tailored Collaboration Program, which funds research projects addressing regional or utility-specific challenges. This matching grant program allows subscribers to partner with research institutions, consultants, or other technical organizations to conduct applied research on “One Water” topics such as water reuse, asset management, and emerging contaminants. To be eligible, a project must be sponsored by a utility with an active WRF subscription, and the utility must provide a cash match for the funds requested. WRF provides a one-to-one match of up to US$150 thousand per project. Pre-proposals for the 2026 funding cycle must be submitted by 17 March 2026. Click here
The International Water Association (IWA) invites entries for its 2026 Project Innovation Awards, which recognize excellence in water management, research, and technology. The awards are open to organizations and teams worldwide that have delivered impactful projects across six categories, including drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, and water resources management. While the program does not provide a direct cash grant, winners receive global recognition, with gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded at the IWA World Water Congress in Glasgow. Preliminary applications must be submitted by 27 March 2026. Project Innovation Award
The Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (KWEF) supports scientists of Asian nationality who are conducting water research. Research topics include technologies for water/wastewater treatment, water quality analysis, sustainability of water environment sanitation, water ecosystem, and agricultural water use – among other themes. Grants are up to ¥ 300 thousand per research project. Applicants should be under age 40. The application deadline is 02 May 2026. Application procedure
Cross-Cutting
VivaTech organizes the Next Startupper Award to celebrate student entrepreneurs driving positive change through technological innovation. The competition is open to current students from any country who have founded a tech-oriented startup or project less than three years ago that demonstrates a clear social or environmental impact. Finalists receive four-day VIP speaker passes to the event in Paris and the opportunity to pitch their solutions to industry experts. The grand prize winner receives a €5,000 cash prize and a dedicated startup corner at the 2027 edition of VivaTech. The deadline for applications is 09 March 2026. More information
- Tags: awards/prizes, early-career, individuals, march2026, worldwide, youth
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supports small-scale, high-impact projects designed by local partners in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The program prioritizes initiatives focused on inclusive governance, peace and security, climate action, and economic growth. Eligible applicants include local non-governmental organizations, community groups, academic institutions, and international agencies working on local development, provided they are legally registered and hold a local bank account. While the average contribution ranges from CAN$30 thousand to CAN$60 thousand, the maximum allocation for a single project is CAN$100 thousand. The deadline for applications is 09 March 2026. Link to CFLI
The Government of Ireland invites applications for International Education Scholarships to support high-achieving students from non-EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The program is open to individuals who have secured an offer for a master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD program at an eligible Irish higher education institution. Each of the 60 annual scholarships provides a stipend of €10,000 for one year of full-time study, and the host institution provides a full tuition fee waiver for that year. The deadline for applications is 12 March 2026. International Education Scholarships