The Climate Investment Challenge calls on graduate students to develop financial solutions and innovations addressing climate change, such as untapped climate finance opportunities or innovative financial structures that improve the bankability of climate investments. The Main Prize challenges students to create innovative financial structures or instruments that enhance the bankability of climate investments or utilize existing tools to explore untapped climate finance opportunities. The Emerging and Developing Markets Prize calls on students to use innovative financial instruments or existing financial tools to address an underserved climate change issue. The Data Analytics Prize is looking for students to develop creative ways to combine existing climate and environmental datasets with financial information to improve the adoption of climate finance or address climate risk. Eligibility extends to students enrolled in a postgraduate degree (Master’s, MBA, or PhD-level) at the time of the submission. The challenge is open globally to students from all academic backgrounds. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 02 March 2025. Climate Investment Challenge
awards/prizes
Sigma Awards — Prize for Data Journalism
The Sigma Awards invite entries of published work in all areas of data journalism, including the topic environment. The winners will split a cash prize of US$5 thousand. Entries must be for work published in 2024, but can be submitted by large or small newsrooms as well as individuals from all over the world. The application deadline is 28 February 2025. Sigma Awards
World Academy of Sciences — Young Scientists Award for Frontier Science
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) recognizes the scientific achievements of young scientists living and working in a developing country. The third edition of the TWAS-CAS award will recognize achievements in Earth Sciences. The award is worth US$10 thousand. TWAS invites nominations from science academies, national research councils, universities, and scientific institutions. Self-nominations will not be considered. Eligible candidates are young scientists (not older than 45 years of age). The deadline for receiving nominations is 14 March 2025. Young Scientists Award
International Water Association — Researcher Awards 2025
The International Water Association calls for nominations for the Ardern-Lockett Award and the IWA MEWE Early- and Mid-Career Researcher Awards. The Ardern-Lockett award recognizes outstanding contributions to research and practice in the field of Microbial Ecology and Water Engineering. The MEWE Early- and Mid-Career Award recognize accomplishments of a mid-career professional in the field of Microbial Ecology and Water Engineering. Nominations have to be received before 11 February 2025. Details
World Academy of Sciences — Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Award
The Samira Omar Innovation for Sustainability Prize recognizes woman scientists from least-developed countries with scientific achievements in clean and renewable energy; sustainable agriculture and agro-biodiversity; plastic pollution and microplastics, water purification and sanitation, climate change, waste management, biodiversity conservation, and other themes related to sustainability. The winner will receive a cash award of US$4 thousand. Candidates should be working and living in an LDC country for at least two years prior to nomination. The deadline for nominations is 14 March 2025. Innovation for Sustainability Award
UNESCO — International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences
The UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences rewards projects and activities of individuals, institutions, and NGOs for scientific research in the life sciences leading to improving the quality of human life. Projects in life sciences contribute to poverty eradication, improved health, food and water security. Nominations are submitted by governments of UNESCO’s member states, and by NGOs maintaining official relations with UNESCO that are active in the fields covered by the Prize. The Prize amount of US$350 thousand may be equally divided among a maximum of three laureates. The closing date for submissions (English, French) is 31 March 2025. Prize for Research in the Life Sciences
Restor — RestorLife Awards
Restor launches the RestorLife Awards to celebrate and fund the work being done to protect and restore nature. The NGO Award recognizes organizations leading impactful conservation and restoration projects and provides US$25 thousand in prize money. This initiative seeks to honour NGOs that are making remarkable progress in nature restoration and strengthening grassroots efforts. The Responsible Business Leadership Award highlight organizations that have shown exceptional dedication to positive environmental action and responsible business leadership. Applications close on 28 February 2025. RestorLife Awards
King Baudouin Foundation — KBF Africa Prize 2025-2026
The KBF Africa Prize is awarded to Africans or African organizations who are making an outstanding contribution to development in Africa. There are no restrictions as to the chosen themes. The Selection Committee favors community approaches that deal with actual and current challenges in Africa. The winners receive financial support of up to €250 thousand. Self-nomination is not permitted. The deadline for nominations is 03 March 2025. Find out how to nominate a candidate
World Academy of Sciences — Prize in Agricultural Sciences or Biology
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) invites nominations for the Fayzah M. Al-Kharafi Award in Agricultural Sciences or Biology. The prize aims to recognize scientists for their achievements in Agricultural Sciences or Biology. Eligible nominees are female scientists from scientifically and technologically lagging countries. The prize is a US$4 thousand cash award. Nominations should be submitted electronically before 14 May 2025. Prize in Agricultural Sciences or Biology
World Academy of Sciences — TWAS-Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) invites nominations for the Abdool Karim Prize in Biological Sciences. The prize aims to recognize scientists for their achievements in Biological Sciences. Eligible nominees are female scientists national of a low-income African country. The prize is a US$5 thousand cash award. Nominations should be submitted electronically before 14 May 2025. Award in Biological Sciences