The World Food Forum Startup Innovation Awards is a global startup competition to support and showcase innovators and entrepreneurs who harness technology to drive the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems to end global hunger. The World Food Forum seeks applications for the 2025 Extreme Tech Challenge. The competition is open to companies whose work impacts an element of agrifood systems: production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food products. Participants can win up to US$80 thousand, have the potential for global visibility, and the ability to raise capital. The closing date for applications is 22 May 2025. WFF Startup Innovation Awards
Funding News
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry
The African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI) accepts applications for the Young African Phosphorus Fellowship. This program aims to support early-career scientists working in African National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems institutions or universities who are conducting innovative research on phosphorus management in African agro-ecosystems. APNI will award up to five fellowships of US$5,000 each. Applicants must be full-time scientists at an African NARES institution or university. The application deadline is 30 June 2025. Phosphorus Fellowship
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) offers planting materials and technical assistance to establish fruit orchards that will be used for charitable purposes. Fruit orchards must serve communities for generations, at places such as community gardens, public schools, city/state parks, low-income neighborhoods, international hunger relief sites, or animal sanctuaries. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations, public or nonprofit schools, or government entities serving a charitable purpose. Most programs are implemented in the USA. However, FTPF will also consider international projects. Applications are accepted continuously. Plant fruit trees
Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program makes grants for conservation research through its Young Scientists Awards. The Award targets young researchers (not older than 35 years) carrying out interdisciplinary research on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity. Priority is given to projects carried out in the world’s biosphere reserves. Awards are up to US$5 thousand. The deadline for applications (English, French) is 15 May 2025. MAB Young Scientists Awards
The Yale Environment 360 Film Contest accepts entries of environmental films from around the world. Submissions should focus on an environmental issue and be a maximum of 20 minutes in length. The first-place winner will receive US$3,000, the second-place winner US$2,000, and the third-place winner US$1,000. The deadline for entries is 25 May 2025. Yale Environment 360 Film Contest
The Biodiversity Excellence Awards for Conservation Heroes (BEACH) honors outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development within the Caribbean. The nominees must have a proven track record of actively implementing projects in the Caribbean region. The deadline for nominations is 03 June 2025. Awards for Conservation Heroes
Energy, Climate Change
The Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Fellowship Program 2025 is a 12-week hybrid initiative designed to empower young changemakers across the Arab States. The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to drive climate action and enhance disaster resilience through innovative, community-driven solutions. The program is open to youth-led NGOs, student groups, social enterprises, or informal collectives. The deadline for applications is 20 May 2025. Details here
- Tags: climate, fellowships/scholarships, individuals, may2025, MENA, youth
Scotiabank’s Net-Zero Research Fund (NZRF) supports registered charities and non-profit organizations conducting research to advance global decarbonization efforts. Funded projects have addressed topics such as carbon footprint reduction in artisanal mining, carbon capture through native species in the Amazon, and real-time data platforms for solar energy performance. Grants range from CA$25 thousand to CA$100 thousand. Applicants must be registered charities or non-profit organizations in Canada, the US or Latin America. The deadline to apply is 22 May 2025. Net-Zero Research Fund
- Tags: climate, LAC, may2025, nonprofit orgs, research
The Swiss Re Foundation invites applications for the 2025 Changemakers Africa Incubation Program. This online program is designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs across Africa who are developing innovative solutions in healthcare or climate resilience. Eligible applicants must be based in Africa and commit to 6–8 hours of weekly participation. Participants have the chance to pitch their ventures at the final Demo Day for seed funding of up to US$15 thousand. The deadline to apply is 28 May 2025. Changemakers Africa
Water Resources
The IHE Delft Institute for Water Education offers SIDS Scholarships for the MSc Programme in Water and Sustainable Development, targeting professionals from Small Island Developing States. The scholarship covers tuition fees, insurance, international travel costs, and a monthly allowance of €1,220 for living and accommodation expenses during the study period. Eligibility extends to nationals residing or working in eligible SIDS countries. The application deadline is 01 June 2025. SIDS Scholarship
- Tags: Asia-Pacific, fellowships/scholarships, individuals, june2025, LAC, water
The World Water Challenge is an international contest for water solutions. The Korea International Water Week (KIWW) aims to discover imminent water problems and to find feasible solutions. Participants are asked to select a water challenge (identified in the call) and submit their solution. The total prize amount for the World Water Challenge 2025 is KRW 10 million (approx. US$7,600). Winners will have the chance to be invited to the WWCH showcase during the KIWW 2025 and/or the World Water Forum. Individuals or organizations are welcome to participate. Proposals can be submitted until 25 July 2025. Know more
- Tags: awards/prizes, individuals, july2025, nonprofit orgs, universities, water, worldwide
Well Aware aims to help local communities in East Africa find sustainable solutions to address water scarcity and contamination. Well Aware aims to support its water projects with integrated project planning; technical evaluation; project oversight; promotion of partnerships; community training in sanitation and hygiene; and community empowerment. At this time, Well Aware is only actively implementing water projects in Kenya and Tanzania. Applications can be submitted at any time; there is no deadline. About Well Aware
Cross-Cutting
The YMCA Network Solutions Youth Empowerment Fund is a grant opportunity designed to support youth-led initiatives that address local challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. The grant is open to YMCA National Movements and their local associations in countries eligible. Grants of €10 thousand to €20 thousand are available for national projects, and up to €30 thousand for multi-country collaborations involving at least three countries. Applications close on 18 May 2025. Link to more information
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Liberia. The priorities under this call include women’s economic rights, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, and investing in the poorest and most vulnerable (which may include agriculture or aquaculture projects). The average contribution is C$20 thousand to C$49 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. The deadline for submission is 25 May 2025. Details here
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives invites proposals that meet the needs of local communities in Côte d’Ivoire. The priorities under this call include one on environment and climate action focusing on adaptation and mitigation. The average contribution is C$20 thousand to C$49 thousand per project. Eligibility extends to local community organizations, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. The deadline for submission is 25 May 2025. CFLI Côte d’Ivoire