The Aspire Leaders Program provides academic and professional development resources to students who are from backgrounds of social and financial adversity. All applicants must be between the ages of 18-26, come from a low-income background and be the first generation to attend university. Through the program, students will gain access to fully-funded HarvardX courses and participate in live seminars with Harvard University. Eligibility extends to students from all around the world as long as they are enrolled in an undergraduate program or have recently graduated (within three years). The application deadline is 17 September 2025. Aspire Leaders Program
early-career
Bat Conservation International — Student Research Scholarships for Bat Conservation
Bat Conservation International (BCI) requests proposals from student researchers seeking financial support for bat conservation research projects. Research may focus on human-caused environmental changes (such as land development or climate change on bats), bat-human conflicts (such as hunting, roost disturbance, and persecution), or behavioral or ecological questions that aid the protection of a bat species. The geographical scope is Latin America and the Caribbean; Africa and its adjacent islands; and globally. BCI anticipates granting up to US$3,000 each. Additional funding is available through special awards. The scholarship is only open to students who are registered with a recognized academic institution. The application deadline is 31 October 2025. Link to Bat Conservation International
Royal Geographical Society — Expedition Grants
The Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award offers grants between £2,000 and £5,000 to support humanitarian, scientific, or educational projects worldwide. The award is designed to support emerging travelers and expeditioners. The deadline for applications for projects is 30 November 2025. Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award
Garden Club of America — Awards in Tropical Botany and Horticulture
The Garden Club of America (GCA) offers several grants, prizes, and fellowships for students enrolled at universities in the USA, including some awards that have a tropical focus. The GCA Awards in Tropical Botany are open to PhD candidates (application deadline is 15 January); the Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship in Tropical Horticulture is restricted to U.S. citizens who are graduate students or advanced undergraduate students (deadline is 15 January). The Anne Chatham Fellowship in Medicinal Botany is open to PhD students and recent PhD graduates (deadline is 31 January). Applicants should review all programs, criteria, and deadlines. Botany and Horticulture Scholarships
World Food Forum — Youth Representatives Program
The WFF Youth Representatives Program empowers young leaders aged 18–35 to contribute to global agrifood systems policy and advocacy through regional and thematic consultations and representation at the World Food Forum flagship event in October 2025. Eligible applicants include young farmers, Indigenous youth, youth organization members, students, and young professionals with experience in agrifood, environment, or development sectors. Youth Representatives engage virtually and in person, attend a minimum of two regional consultations, and contribute to global dialogues throughout their tenure. The deadline to apply is 10 August 2025. Youth Representatives Program
World Academy of Sciences — Research Cooperation Visits Program
TWAS-SISSA-Lincei invites young scientists from least-developed countries to carry out collaborative research projects in Physics, Neuroscience, Mathematics, and Science Outreach as well as projects that fall under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scientists have the opportunity to visit research laboratories in Trieste (Italy) to carry out research work in scientific fields within the SISSA portfolio. TWAS will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Italy. The deadline for receipt of applications is 15 October 2025. More
Earth Institute — Post-Doctoral Fellowships 2026
The Earth Institute at Columbia University invites applications for 2-year postdoctoral fellowships that contribute to understanding critical scientific and social issues in global sustainable development. Specific areas of research include food security, energy systems, climate change, poverty reduction, disease, and environmental degradation. The multi-disciplinary program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens who received their doctoral degrees within five years of beginning their appointments. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2025. Link
Royal Geographical Society — Grants with Deadlines in November 2025
The Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers (RGS-IBG) makes grants for geographical research, fieldwork, and teaching that include several awards with deadlines in November. The deadline is 23 November for the Ralph Brown Expedition Award; Thesiger-Oman International Research Fellowships; Hong Kong Research Grant; Walters Kundert Fellowship; Dudley Stamp Memorial Award; Postgraduate Research Awards; and Geographical Club Award. The deadline is 30 November for the Neville Shulman Challenge Award. Link
The Explorers Club — Impact Grants
The Explorers Club Impact Grants support individual researchers and explorers worldwide who conduct field-based scientific expeditions in disciplines such as ecology, earth sciences, anthropology, archaeology, paleontology, and astronomy—especially exploring regions experiencing environmental or cultural change. Grants typically range from US$10 thousand to US$25 thousand, covering expenses for on-site fieldwork. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Explorers Club Impact Grants
Purpose Earth — Grants and Mentorship
Purpose Earth is a grant and mentorship program empowering leaders and their transformative solutions to our global challenges. Purpose Earth supports projects that are finding creative solutions within the areas of environmental protection, community activation, and cultural collaboration. Grant funding is up to US$10 thousand per recipient. The deadline to apply is 31 August 2025. Purpose Earth Grant Award