NextWorldNow (NWN) is committed to working with community leaders who are solving difficult social problems. This includes social problems related to water, sanitation, deforestation, smallholder productivity, and food security – among other subject areas. Grants are up to US$10 thousand. To apply, community organizations submit a short “Notification of Interest” to register their intent to submit a formal grant application. NWN will screen the initial requests and forward a full application form to selected community organizations. The 2026 Grant application period begins 01 January 2026 and remains open until 1000 requests have been received or 01 March 2026, whichever comes first. Link
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Lutfia Rabbani Foundation — PhD and Master’s Scholarship for the Arab World
The Mahmoud S. Rabbani Fellowship is intended for Arab Students interested in pursuing their education in The Netherlands. A maximum of €15 thousand is awarded for one year. Eligible fields of study include Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery, Environmental Sciences, Natural sciences, and others. Arab students who have been accepted into a Master’s or a Ph.D. program in the Netherlands and Dutch students who have been accepted into a Master’s or a Ph.D. program in the Arab World are eligible to apply. The application deadline is 31 March 2026. Find the Terms & Conditions
World Food Programme — Innovation Challenge
The World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator supports startups, NGOs, companies, and social enterprises worldwide that are developing innovative solutions to strengthen long-term resilience in fragile and crisis-affected contexts, particularly in areas such as food security, climate resilience, livelihoods, and emergency response. Selected innovators receive up to US$100 thousand in equity-free funding, along with hands-on technical support, and mentorship. The challenge is open to both early-stage and more mature innovations with proven potential for impact. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. WFP Innovation Accelerator
Hult Prize Foundation — Hult Prize Challenge
The Hult Prize is a start-up accelerator for social entrepreneurship which brings together college and university students to solve the world’s most pressing issues. In 2026, participants can pitch any idea for a social enterprise, as long as it is world-changing and aligned with at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Hult Prize runs regional competitions around the world, campus events, a national competition, and online for the chance to join the Global Accelerator Program. The winning team will be awarded US$1 million in seed capital. Hult Prize
World Food Prize Foundation — World Food Prize 2026
The World Food Prize Foundation invites nominations for the annual World Food Prize. The World Food Prize (US$250 thousand) recognizes an individual or individuals who have made outstanding achievements to enhance the world’s food production and its distribution to those most in need. Fields of achievement include soil and land; plant and animal science; food science and technology; rural development; water and the environment; natural resource conservation; poverty elimination; and many others. The deadline for nominations is 01 May 2026. About the World Food Prize
World Food Prize Foundation — Borlaug Award for Field Research 2026
The World Food Prize Foundation invites nominations for the Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research. The Award (US$10 thousand) recognizes science-based achievement in international agriculture and food production by an individual under the age of 40. The award will honor an individual who is working closely “in the field” with farmers, animal herders, fishers, or others in rural communities. The deadline for nominations is 01 June 2026. Norman Borlaug Field Awards
Earth Journalism Network — Story Grants on Fisheries Transparency
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers reporting grants to journalists to support the production of in-depth stories that will call attention to issues related to fisheries transparency. Applicants can be from any coastal country. For the purposes of this grant call, EJN will only be focusing on marine fisheries, not freshwater. The Earth Journalism Network expects to award 5 grants with a budget of US$1,500 each. The application deadline is 15 January 2026. Story Grants on Fisheries Transparency
Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions — Blue Food Research Grant Program
The Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions (COS) offers a global research grant aimed at early-career researchers and practitioners to support innovative work on “blue foods” (i.e., aquatic foods from oceans, rivers, lakes). The grant provides a six-month fellowship, including a US$ 10,000 research stipend plus travel support. Eligible are early-career professionals from academia, government, NGOs or private sector. Applications open on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Blue Food Research Grant Program
United Nations — Local Pathways Fellowship
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network – Youth Initiative (SDSN Youth) recruits participants for its 2026 cohort of the Local Pathways Fellows. The 10-months fellowship program provides young leaders with a platform, capacity building, training opportunities and contacts of leading development experts and practitioners. The Local Pathways Fellowship is unpaid. Fellows will benefit from global visibility and exposure. Young candidates (18-30 years) working towards achieving any of the Sustainable Development Goals and representing any city or country in the world are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until 21 December 2025. Link to Local Pathways
Yale University — Young Global Scholars Program
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) offers two-week academic summer programs for high school students from all around the world. The program offers four interdisciplinary sessions on campus at Yale (USA), including sessions on Innovations in Science & Technology and Solving Global Challenges. YYGS offers the opportunity for students to apply for need-based financial aid. Furthermore, YYGS will waive the application fee if it constitutes a significant financial burden for the student’s family. The application deadline is 07 January 2026. About Yale Young Global Scholars