The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) invites non-profit organizations, private companies, universities, think tanks, or research institutes to submit proposals for a grant of up to US$1.2 million to implement an initiative strengthening country-level rural development policy and investment environments, through enhanced policy assessment. Selected recipients must provide a counterpart contribution of at least 20% of the grant amount (25% for private sector applicants). This call has been re-opened, with a new deadline of 07 October 2026. Find details here
Funding News
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry
The International Fund for Agricultural Development invites eligible organizations, government agencies, private sector entities, research institutions, or consortia to submit proposals for “Support for Food Systems Transformation in the Central Sahel,” a US$2 million grant supporting innovative, scalable interventions in the livestock, cassava, and rice value chains across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Proposals should demonstrate regional relevance, commercial viability, climate resilience, and inclusion of women and youth. The deadline is 16 October 2026. Food Systems Transformation
The MSC’s Science and Research Fund supports research projects addressing the barriers that MSC-certified fisheries face in maintaining certification, such as bycatch reduction, marine habitat protection, or climate change impacts. Grants reach up to £50,000 over up to two years. Applicants first submit an Expression of Interest before a full application. The deadline is 18 October 2026. Science and Research Fund
Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife
The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) supports graduate students whose research advances the science and practice of conserving biological diversity. The Fellowship Awards will support field work, including travel, materials or equipment required to conduct research. Students must demonstrate financial need toward completion of a graduate degree to receive US$1,000 in support of their research project. The deadline to submit your materials is 15 October 2026. Know more
Pure Ocean seeks projects that develop marine conservation initiatives managed by local communities and Indigenous peoples or explore nature-based solutions for the preservation of blue carbon ecosystems. This year’s call is restricted exclusively to projects based in mainland France or its overseas territories — the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and French overseas territories in the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Applicants of any nationality are welcome, provided the project itself is located in one of these areas. Only non-profit organizations (NGOs, universities, research institutes) can apply and receive funding. Pure Ocean only supports scientific projects addressing a clearly defined research question. Selected projects will receive up to €40 thousand (€30 thousand/year), for the duration of one to two years. Applications have to be submitted by 19 October 2026. Pure Ocean Challenges
The National Geographic Society invites early-career scientists worldwide to apply to lead ship-based research aboard SOI’s Falkor (too) research vessel, currently recruiting for its 2027-2028 season traversing the west and south coasts of Africa. The opportunity provides one berth space and access to the vessel’s onboard laboratories, underwater robotics, camera systems, and high-performance computing infrastructure. In prior cycles, the Society has awarded grants of up to US$20,000 to cover travel and project-related costs for the selected research, conservation, or technology project. General National Geographic eligibility applies: applicants must be 18 or older, may lead only one active proposal at a time, and must have submitted final reports for any prior National Geographic grants before applying to lead a new one. The deadline is 21 October 2026. Ocean Exploration
Energy, Climate Change
The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, an investor-led public-private initiative, invites applications to its Call for Ideas, seeking innovative financial vehicles designed to mobilize private capital for climate mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. Rather than funding projects directly, the Lab provides selected teams with roughly seven months of technical assistance, investor engagement, and go-to-market support worth over US$250,000, aimed at developing and launching the vehicle itself. Applicants must be cohesive teams with a proven track record in deploying capital or climate solutions, targeting implementation in ODA-eligible countries, with a specific focus this cycle on Africa, Asia-Pacific, Brazil, India, or Latin America and the Caribbean. Preliminary applications are due 18 October 2026. Call for Ideas
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet invites Expressions of Interest for its Universal Access Coalition Financing Facility, supporting solar, mini-grid, and productive-use energy access projects across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Facility offers Technical Assistance grants of US$100 thousand to US$400 thousand and Investment Financing of US$200 thousand to US$750 thousand in grants and concessional loans. Eligible applicants include government agencies, utilities, NGOs, project developers, and private-sector organizations in Phase One’s eight countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Haiti, Peru, and Suriname. The application deadline is 09 September 2026. More
Africa No Filter invites journalists, content creators, podcasters, vloggers, muralists, and data visualizers to apply for its 12-month Voices for Climate Justice program, exploring how climate change, debt, gender, and fossil fuels affect African communities. Selected storytellers receive training, mentorship, and grants of up to US$4,000. Applicants must be aged 18+ and based in Mozambique, Uganda, Nigeria, Angola, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, South Sudan, Malawi, or Zambia. The application deadline is 25 September 2026. Climate Justice Storytelling Grants
Water Resources
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
Cross-Cutting
The African Network for Economics of Learning, Innovation and Competence Building Systems (AfricaLics) seeks PhD students from universities in Africa to participate in the AfricaLics PhD Visiting Fellowship Program focused on Innovation and Development. The visiting fellowship program intends to increase international mobility and provide PhD students with global knowledge in the field of innovation and development (which includes a four-month study stay in South Africa). The scholarship is open to PhD students from low- and lower-middle-income countries in Africa. The deadline for the submission of applications is 02 October 2026. Details here
The International Campaign for Tibet’s Rowell Fund invites Tibetans to apply for small grants supporting projects in environment and conservation, photography, humanitarian work, journalism and literature, or women’s projects, with priority given to work addressing climate change impacts in Tibet. Applicants may request up to US$7,500. Tibetans of any nationality are eligible, applying either individually or on behalf of an organization; non-Tibetans cannot apply. The fund does not support conference attendance or academic research conducted as part of a degree program. The deadline is 18 October 2026. Small Grants for Tibet
The Czech Challenge Fund invites private-sector entities, NGOs, universities, state institutions, and research centers to submit innovative solutions addressing development challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, or Moldova. Funding ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 for feasibility studies or pilot projects lasting up to 12 months, with at least 20% co-funding required from the applicant, financial or in-kind. The deadline is 20 October 2026. More information