MDPI, a publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access journals, invites applications and nominations for the Sustainability 2025 Young Investigator Award. The winner will receive CHF 2000. This prize will be given to one young investigator in recognition of their excellence in the field of sustainability and sustainable development. Candidates must be under 35 years and be nominated by senior researchers. The deadline for nominations is 15 December 2025. More information
biodiversity
MDPI — Sustainability Travel Awards 2026
MDPI, a publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access journals, grants travel awards to 5 junior scientists. The award provides financial support to attend an international conference in the field of sustainability and sustainable development, to be held in 2026. Candidates must be postdoctoral fellows or PhD students. The winners will each be awarded CHF 600 and a certificate. Applications have to be submitted by 31 December 2025. Sustainability Travel Awards
Belmont Forum — Ocean Biodiversity and Ecosystem
The Belmont Forum welcomes transdisciplinary research addressing global ocean challenges. Proposals should focus on at least one of three key areas: Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-Based Solutions; Ocean-Biodiversity-Climate Integration; Nature Futures, Ocean Governance, and Ethics for Sustainability. Projects are expected to last 36 months and involve research consortia with participants from multiple countries and disciplines, including societal partners. All projects should include 3 funding agencies from 3 different countries. Registrations are due 06 March 2026. Ocean call
100+ Accelerator — Sustainable Action Challenges
100+ Accelerator seeks companies that create products and goods that optimize water use, decarbonize value chains, help farmers produce sustainable and regenerative crops, and/or protect, renew, and grow the biodiversity of all ecosystems to sustain life on Earth. The Accelerator delivers 6 months of remote training to accelerate the collaboration and growth of cohort companies. Participants have access to mentor networks and may receive up to US$100 thousand toward pilot execution. The challenge has an open deadline. Action Challenges
Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten- und Populationsschutz — Conservation of Globally Threatened or Data Deficient Species
The primary goal of the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP) is the conservation of unknown, but highly endangered species and their natural habitats. ZGAP funds conservation projects for globally threatened or data-deficient species, subspecies, and populations. Support is often given to young scientists from the developing world who are eager to implement conservation projects in their home countries. The maximum funding amount per project is €5 thousand. Please note that projects in the wealthier industrial countries (Western Europe, North America, Australia, and Japan) are only supported in exceptional cases. There is no application deadline. Find the guidelines for application here
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Implementation Team for the Guinean Forests of West Africa
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites expressions of interest from organizations interested in serving as the regional implementation team for the Guinean Forests Biodiversity Hotspot (Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone and Togo). The maximum funding available for the RIT grant is USD 1,5 million. Organizations that submit an expression of interest will be invited to submit full proposals. The deadline for expressions of interest is 28 July 2025. Implementation Team Guinean Forests
MDPI — Plants Awards 2025
MDPI is a publisher of peer-reviewed, open-access journals. The publisher has several awards in the category “Plants.” MDPI currently invites nominations for the Best Plant PhD Thesis Award and the Plant Travel Award. The winner will receive CHF500 in prize money. The deadlines for nominations are 31 July 2025 for the PhD Thesis Award and 31 October 2025 for the Travel Award. Click here
Posterheroes — International Contest about Social and Environmental Issues
Submissions are open for the Posterheroes contest that calls for posters about social and environmental issues. Posterheroes invites students, professional designers, and everyone who is into graphic design to create a poster. Participants can win a cash prize of up to US$2,500. The submission deadline is 22 August 2025. Link to the contest
Velux Stiftung — Sustainable and Integrative Forest Management
Velux Stiftung seeks solutions for adapting to or mitigating climate change, promoting biodiversity, and providing resilient ecosystem services while supplying sustainable forest products. Proposals can be for an implementation-oriented research project that has a high potential to foster change in practice. Projects dealing with all types of forests: boreal, temperate, tropical, and subtropical forests are welcome. Projects may last from 1 to 4 years. Funding of up to CHF100 thousand per year is available. At least one partner needs to be from a university or a research institution. The deadline for proposals is 22 September 2025. Details here
European Commission — Support for Nature & Biodiversity Projects
The European Commission launches a call for proposals for EU action grants in the fields of Environment under the Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE). The program supports demonstration, best practices, coordination and support actions, capacity building, and governance projects. The LIFE programs aim to facilitate the shift towards a sustainable, renewable energy-based economy; protect, restore, and improve the quality of the environment; halt and reverse biodiversity loss; and tackle the degradation of ecosystems. The project requested grant amount is not more than €60 thousand. In order to be eligible, the applicant must be a legal public or private entity, and be established in an EU Member State or a country associated with the LIFE Program. The deadline for applications is 23 September 2025. About LIFE