The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) invites applications for the Innovate Africa Challenge, which supports the deployment of proven artificial intelligence solutions for climate-smart agriculture in Africa. The challenge seeks AI-driven innovations that improve climate resilience, agricultural productivity, and farmer decision-making in areas such as precision agriculture, crop forecasting, pest and disease surveillance, climate risk modeling, and natural resource management. Eligible applicants are startups, innovators, and solution developers. Preference is given to applicants serving smallholder farmers. The application deadline is 31 August 2026. Innovate Africa Challenge
Funding News
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) invites applications for its Outreach Fellowship. APNI offers awards of US$5,000 to African scientists, extension specialists, or educators running education, training, and communication programs that improve the use and efficiency of plant nutrients in African agro-ecosystems. Applicants must work at an African NARES institution, an African university, a nonprofit organization, or in the private sector. Proposals should address knowledge gaps or synthesize existing information to speed the adoption of improved soil fertility practices, and APNI gives particular attention to work aligned with its priority initiatives: 4R Nutrient Stewardship, nutrient and water management for African drylands, soil health and diagnostics, precision farming, and farmer-led on-farm innovation. The application deadline is 21 September 2026. Outreach Fellowship
The Lantmännen Research Foundation invites research proposals that contribute to sustainable agriculture, food systems, bioenergy, and the bioeconomy. Eligible applicants are researchers affiliated with universities, research institutes, and other recognized research organizations, primarily in the Nordic region, although international collaborations are encouraged where relevant. The Foundation expects to award approximately SEK 25 million, with individual grant amounts depending on the scope and duration of each project. The application deadline is 30 September 2026. Know more
- Tags: agriculture, individuals, research, september2026, universities, worldwide
Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife
Athletic Brewing Company invites applications for its Two For The Trails grants. The company funds nonprofit trail organisations, environmental protection organisations, and volunteer groups working on outdoor protection and restoration, including trail maintenance, waterway protection, urban greenspace improvement, invasive species removal, beach clean-ups, and native habitat restoration. Grants range from US$500 to US$50 thousand and average US$5,000 to US$10 thousand. Applicants must be registered nonprofits. Any international nonprofit may apply, though Athletic Brewing gives priority to projects in the regions where it operates: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the EU. The application deadline is 14 August 2026. Environmental Restoration
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites letters of inquiry for small grants to support biodiversity conservation in the Guinean Forests of West Africa hotspot. This call is open to civil society organizations operating in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Projects must align with specific investment priorities related to species conservation and the management of priority sites. Grant amounts are up to US$50 thousand. Applicants are encouraged to review the regional ecosystem profile and consult with the Regional Implementation Team before submitting their proposals.The deadline for letters of inquiry is 31 August 2026. Guinean Forests of West Africa Small Grants
The Explorers Club invites applications for the Pathfinder Grant, previously called the Exploration Fund Grant. The grant supports graduate and post-graduate students and early-career scientists conducting field research. Relevant disciplines include anthropology, archaeology, wildlife, botany, earth sciences, marine and freshwater research, ecology, geography, and paleontology, and the Club gives priority to expeditions tackling ambitious research questions over survey data. Awards average US$2,500 to US$5,000. Each application requires two written recommendations. The deadline is 31 August 2026. Pathfinder Grant
Energy, Climate Change
The Better Politics Fund invites applications for its Resilient Futures Call 2026, a global funding initiative supporting non-partisan, early-stage initiatives that strengthen democratic political leadership and climate resilience. The call seeks innovative ideas that help political leaders and institutions develop effective responses to climate challenges. Eligible applicants include organizations, networks, collectives, and individuals worldwide. The initiative offers Ideation Grants of US$10,000–20,000 through an open call, while Incubation Grants of up to US$50,000 (€20,000–50,000) are awarded by nomination only to organizations with proven approaches ready to scale. Applications for Ideation Grants must be submitted by 04 September 2026. Resilient Futures
The Climate Resilience Awards for Business recognize businesses worldwide for their measurable contributions to climate resilience in operations, supply chains, or communities. The awards seek to identify and celebrate businesses who are taking action to assess and ensure future resilience to climate change and broader physical risks for themselves, their supply chains and their communities. Finalists and winners will gain online recognition and potential networking opportunities. The application deadline is 30 September 2026. Climate Resilience Awards
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications for story grants supporting in-depth reporting on how businesses in Thailand are responding to climate change. The grants aim to strengthen coverage of corporate climate action, emissions reduction, adaptation, sustainable finance, green technologies, and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Eligible applicants are journalists, editors, and media organizations based in Thailand with a proven record of environmental or business reporting. EJN expects to award up to 10 grants of up to US$1,500 each to support the production of high-quality stories. The application deadline is 02 August 2026. More here
Water Resources
The Arab Youth Center invites applications for the Global Youth Water Envoys Program. The center will select 100 young people from across the world’s regions and prepare them to take part in the 2026 UN Water Conference (Abu Dhabi/December 2026). Applicants must be aged 18 to 35 at the time of the conference, be proficient in English, and have an interest or relevant experience in water governance, public policy, climate action, sustainability, innovation, finance, or a related field. The program is open worldwide. The deadline is 13 August 2026. Youth Delegates
- Tags: august2026, early-career, individuals, MENA, water, workshops/conferences, youth
MDPI, a publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access journals, invites applications for the 2025 Water Travel Awards. Three awards of CHF 800 each will go to junior scientists to present an oral presentation and/or poster at an international conference in 2027. Applicants must be postdoctoral researchers or Ph.D. students working in the field of water or related areas. Applications have to be submitted by 31 October 2026. Click here
The Korea Water Forum invites solutions for the World Water Challenge, an international contest that aims to identify global water issues and find feasible solutions. Anyone, including individuals, businesses, and organizations from any country, can participate by submitting innovative technologies, scientific methods, or policy ideas. The organizers offer a total prize pool of KRW16 million (approximately US$11 thousand), including a grand prize of KRW10 million, with the top winners invited to present their ideas during the Korea International Water Week. The deadline for submitting solutions is 12 July 2026. Know more
- Tags: awards/prizes, individuals, july2026, nonprofit orgs, universities, water, worldwide
Cross-Cutting
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supports small-scale, high-impact development projects in Brazil. Priority themes include gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; inclusive governance, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; peace and security; human dignity; environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation; and inclusive economic growth. Eligible applicants include local, national, and community-based non-governmental organizations; local academic institutions; international NGOs working on local development activities. Grants typically range from CAD 30 thousand to CAD 50 thousand. The application deadline is 13 August 2026. CFLI Brazil
The European Research Council (ERC) invites applications for its Advanced Grant 2026, supporting established, leading researchers to pursue ambitious, high-risk/high-gain frontier research projects across any field of science, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. Applicants must demonstrate an exceptional track record of research achievements and be hosted by, or willing to move to, an eligible host institution in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Grants of up to €2.5 million are available for projects lasting up to five years, with an additional €1 million available in exceptional cases to cover eligible start-up or major equipment costs. The application deadline is 27 August 2026. Details here
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Indigenous Fellowship Training Programme is open for applications. The aim of the program is to give Indigenous persons the opportunity to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with human rights issues in general and Indigenous issues in particular. (Note: This may include land rights and biodiversity conservation issues). Participants will learn how to more effectively advocate for the rights of their communities and raise their concerns at the international level. Travel, stipend, and basic expenses are covered by OHCHR. The deadline for applications is 06 September 2026. OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship