The Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, in partnership with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Science and Research, offers the Danubius Award to honor persons with extraordinary scientific achievement in relation to the Danube Region. The Danubius Young Scientist Award will be granted to 14 young scientists — one in each of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Romania, and Ukraine. Priority is for work that is relevant beyond national borders, in any discipline. Each winner will receive €1,350. The deadline for nominations is 09 May 2025. Danubius Young Scientist Award
awards/prizes
Legacy Project — Global Youth Awards 2025
The Global Youth Awards supports youth aged 11-25 who are leading inspirational projects for social and environmental impact around the world. This includes environmental projects and innovations to restore and regenerate the global ecosystem. The winners receive an invitation to become a Global Change Ambassador for collaborations, events, mentoring, and training. Youth from all around the world can be nominated. Nominations close 14 September 2025. Link
United Nations Development Program — Equator Prize 2025
The Equator Prize 2025 recognizes innovative initiatives that showcase how action on nature, led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, can provide effective climate solutions, and demonstrate effective pathways to transform the global systems for people and Planet. Nominated projects may focus on solutions for sustainable food systems, restoration of ecosystems that help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, or protection of terrestrial or marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and wildlife. The nominated initiative must have been in existence for at least three years. Each winner will receive US$10 thousand. Nominations must be submitted by 23 February 2025. Equator Prize
Imperial College London — Climate Investment Challenge
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
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
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