The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge is an annual global initiative encouraging young individuals aged 15-26 to pitch their ideas for innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants can pitch programs on one of the following themes: peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, and environment and climate. The 12 finalists will receive regular mentorship from a global network of industries with the goal of implementing their programs. The winner receives US$1000. The deadline for submissions is 07 January 2027. Youth Design Challenge
fisheries
Right Livelihood Award — Annual Nominations 2027
The Right Livelihood Awards are annually made to individuals and organizations offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today. The Award is sometimes referred to as the “Alternative Nobel Prize.” Past laureates include several whose work in issues of environment and natural resources advances social justice and grassroots development in the developing world. Normally, the Foundation makes three cash awards and one honorary award each year. Nominations are invited from anyone worldwide (excluding self-nominations, close relatives, and Foundation staff and jury). The deadline for nominations is 24 January 2027. Nominate
Kellogg School of Management — Sustainable Investing Challenge
The Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge invites teams of graduate students from around the world to develop and pitch creative financial approaches and solutions to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges. Graduate students from around the world are invited to participate. The overall winning team receives US$10 thousand and the runner-up receives US$5 thousand. Teams must register in advance to request a mentor that gives them feedback on their proposal prior to submission. The deadline for submission of project ideas is 14 February 2027. Sustainable Investing Challenge
Marine Stewardship Council — Science and Research Fund
The MSC’s Science and Research Fund supports research projects addressing the barriers that MSC-certified fisheries face in maintaining certification, such as bycatch reduction, marine habitat protection, or climate change impacts. Grants reach up to £50,000 over up to two years. Applicants first submit an Expression of Interest before a full application. The deadline is 18 October 2026. Science and Research Fund
Marine Stewardship Council — Ocean Stewardship Fund: Transition Assistance Fund
The MSC’s Transition Assistance Fund supports fisheries verified as improving toward MSC certification through the MSC Improvement Program, funding implementation of their Improvement Action Plan. Around 40% of grants go to fisheries in developing countries, with small-scale and Global South fisheries a particular priority. In 2026, the fund awarded £383,000 across eight projects, including co-funding electronic monitoring systems for a mahi-mahi longline fishery spanning Ecuador and Peru, and stock assessment work for a Spanish shrimp trawl fishery. Applicants must contact their local MSC representative before applying, and applications are assessed on criteria including the rationale for selected improvement actions, the expertise of project leads, and the degree of matched funding already secured. Grants reach up to £50,000 over up to two years. The deadline is 01 December 2026. Transition Assistance Fund
D-Prize — Funding Entrepreneurs to Alleviate Poverty
The D-Prize funds pilot projects that more widely distribute relatively low-cost products and services in the fight against poverty. The current challenges include social enterprises for innovations in specified themes of agriculture; energy; WASH; and several other categories. The D-Prize will award 30 teams with up to US$20 thousand each to launch nonprofits or social ventures that can distribute proven poverty interventions to people in need. Eligibility to compete extends to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world and of any age or background. The D-Prize invites concept notes before 25 October (early deadline); 15 November (regular deadline); or 06 December 2026 (limited extension). Link to D-Prize
The Liveability Challenge — Sustainability Solutions for Tropical Cities
Temasek Foundation and Eco-Business invite startups and ventures worldwide to submit scalable, commercially viable sustainability solutions addressing urban challenges in the tropics, across three tracks: Decarbonisation, Cool Earth (climate resilience and cooling), and Oceans (sustainable blue economy). The top three solutions in each track receive S$1 million in grant funding. Decarbonisation finalists may also receive up to S$2 million in additional development funding from A*STAR, and Oceans finalists may qualify for up to S$500,000 in equity investment from the Asia Ocean Fund. Finalists are showcased at a Grand Finale in Singapore during Ecosperity Week 2027. The deadline is 18 February 2027. Liveability Challenge
Marine Stewardship Council — Student Research Grants
The MSC’s Student Research Grants support postgraduate students doing research with a fishery that’s already MSC-certified, or one that’s actively working toward certification. The fishery needs to already be at a fairly advanced stage in that process, so the student’s project should be tied to a real fishery partner, not just a research idea on its own. Grants reach up to £10,000 over up to 12 months. The deadline is 28 February 2027. Student Research Grants
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Small Grants Program, Sri Lanka
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and IUCN invite Letters of Inquiry from Sri Lankan NGOs, community-based organizations, Indigenous and women’s groups for projects supporting community engagement in managing threatened ecosystems and species, under the GEF Small Grants Program. Grants are up to US$60,000. Eligible only in five districts: Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara. The deadline is 09 October 2026. Small Grants 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 31 October 2026. More