The Watson Institute offers a 16-week program designed for entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their ventures with access to a global network, training designed to strengthen skills, and mentorship with seasoned professionals, venture capitalists, and executives. Fellows can earn up to US$6,000 in seed funding for their venture. Eligibility extends to entrepreneurs leading an early-stage social impact venture, with a preference to applicants from the USA, Brazil, China, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The Watson Institute accepts applications until 22 June 2025. Link
East Asia
Toilet Board Coalition — Virtual Program
The Toilet Board Coalition’s Accelerator is a 12-month virtual program designed to support sanitation businesses in emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Climate Mitigation Prize seeks startups developing technologies or business models to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the root causes of climate change. The Climate Adaptation Prize is for startups developing solutions that help communities and ecosystems adapt to the impacts of climate change. Participants receive customized expert support to refine their business models and access to investors. Businesses serving low-income customers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 30 April 2025. Know more
Energy Foundation — China Sustainable Energy Program
The Foundation’s China Sustainable Energy Program makes grants for planning, policies, research, and training to improve energy efficiency and to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions in China. Grant eligibility extends to organizations in China and the USA. They include research institutes and foundations; universities; professional organizations, societies, and academies; energy technology centers; policy groups and think tanks; state-owned energy companies; regulatory agencies; and NGOs. Proposals are accepted on a continuous basis. Link
Explore — Research Implementation Grants
Explore recruits researchers from research institutes and universities in Southeast Asia to submit research proposals on forest landscape governance. Explore aims to support governments in using high-quality research findings to improve policies, institutional structures and frameworks, which will contribute to inclusive and sustainable development of forest landscapes. Applicants need to apply by 31 January 2025. Link
Bridges for Enterprise — Business Incubation Program for Social Enterprises
Bridges for Enterprise (BfE) works with social impact startups from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The Incubation Program supports entrepreneurs seeking to solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges. The program is open to for-profit and non-profit social enterprises and startups at the pre-seed or seed stage. Participating entrepreneurs receive 3 to 4 months of professional advice and mentorship. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis year-round. However, social entrepreneurs must submit their application before specific deadlines to be considered for specific cohorts: 01 April (Autumn Cohort) and 01 October (Spring Cohort). Link
Global Landscapes Forum — Landscape Leadership Camp in Asia
Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) invites applications to the Landscape Leadership Camp. The Camp offers sessions, discussions, field trips, workshops, dialogues, and field visits, you’ll have the chance to build your expertise and workshops for participants to craft strategies to bring back to their communities. The camp is for leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 championing landscape action and community-based solutions all across Asia. GLF offers a limited number of full and partial travel scholarships available to cover some participants’ travel, accommodation, and associated attendance costs. The application deadline is 15 January 2025. Landscape Leadership Camp
U.S. National Science Foundation — Biodiversity on a Changing Planet
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) invites submission of interdisciplinary proposals addressing grand challenges in biodiversity science within the context of unprecedented environmental change, including climate change. The program supports a comprehensive and integrative approach to understanding planetary biodiversity from a functional perspective. Research supported by this program will improve modeling and forecasting of the consequences of functional change in biodiversity. The program supports both US-only collaborative proposals and proposals with international partnerships with National Science Foundations in China, Brazil, and South Africa. Proposals may be submitted by non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education. The total anticipated funding amount is up to US$17 million. Depending on the quality of proposals, 4-6 awards are estimated to be made for design and implementation. Applications have to be submitted by 04 September 2025. Link
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture — Photo Contest
The SEARCA Photo Contest with the theme “The Future of Farming: Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Agriculture” seeks images from across Southeast Asia that showcase technologies and innovations that are modernizing and transforming agricultural and rural development toward increased food supply and security. The contest is open to all Southeast Asian nationals. Winners receive cash prizes of US$1000 (1st place), US$800 (2nd place), and US$500 (3rd place). All entries must be submitted before 15 January 2025. SEARCA Photo Contest
Convergence — Asia Climate Solutions Design Grant
The Asia Climate Solutions (ACS) Design Grant awards grant funding for the design and launch of innovative blended finance solutions for climate transition and resilience in Asia. The grant will target critical climate mitigation and adaptation sectors in Asia including nature-based solutions, clean energy transition, and sustainable cities and infrastructure. Feasibility study grants range between US$50 thousand to US$200 thousand. Proof-of-concept grants range between US$200 thousand to US$400 thousand. Proposals will only be accepted from organizations or consortiums of organizations. The next application deadline is 22 November 2024. Asia Climate Solutions Design Grant
Ocean Park Conservation Foundation — Wildlife Conservation in Asia
The Ocean Park Conservation Foundation solicits projects on threatened animal species in Asia. The Foundation supports conservation research and management, as well as community education and capacity building. Priority will be given to projects from Eastern, Southern, and Southeast Asia. Coastal countries connected to Asia, where funding is limited and with threatened wide-ranging Asian species, are included. The majority of projects are for one year, but the Foundation will also consider multi-year projects if they show promise of clear conservation outcomes. Successful applicants receive on average HK$250 thousand per year. The application deadline is 31 January 2025. Criteria here