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
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
Union for the Mediterranean — Mediterranean Youth Water Hackathon
The Mediterranean Youth Water Hackathon invites young innovators aged 18 to 35 to collaborate and create game-changing solutions addressing the challenges and opportunities within the Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus. The first-place team will be awarded €3,000, and the two runner-up teams will receive €1,000 each. Teams of 2-3 members can apply. Applications have to be submitted by 13 December 2024. Water Hackathon
RECOFTC — Forest Landscape Governance in Southeast Asia
Explore invites researchers from research institutes and universities in Southeast Asia to submit research proposals on forest landscape governance. Explore will award grants to support up to three research projects. Each grant will range from US$80 thousand to US$83 thousand and will fund research for 18 to 24 months. Grantees will also receive mentorship from scientific experts throughout the project implementation phase. The call for proposals is open to professors, senior scientists, and postdoctoral researchers affiliated with universities and think tanks/research institutes in Southeast Asia. Researchers can apply as individuals or teams. The application deadline is 31 January 2025. More information
International Society of Tropical Foresters — Innovation Prize
The International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF) awards an Innovation Prize to honor outstanding initiatives and ideas related to tropical forest use and conservation. ISTF seeks innovative examples of approaches, experiences, or efforts of individuals, groups, or organizations in line with “Governing Resilient Tropical Forest Systems”. Finalists will receive a cash award contingent on the quality of submissions and ISTF fundraising efforts (usually between US$1,000 and US$3,000). The application deadline is 22 November 2024. ISTF Innovation Prize