The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Youth Task Force Microgrant Call supports youth-led initiatives that advance ecosystem restoration and environmental action under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The call is open to youth-led groups, organizations, and informal collectives from around the world that are actively implementing or planning small-scale restoration, awareness, or community-based environmental projects. Selected initiatives receive microgrants of up to US$5,000 to support project implementation. Applications are open until 31 December 2025. More here
forests
Harvard University — Arboretum Research Scholar Award
The Arboretum Research Scholar Award supports early-career scientists, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers conducting plant-focused research that aligns with the Arboretum’s living collections, herbarium, archives, or scientific priorities in areas such as botany, ecology, evolution, and conservation. Awardees receive up to US$10 thousand to support research expenses including travel, lodging, materials, or access to Arboretum resources. The program is open to researchers worldwide, and projects may be short-term or exploratory in nature. Applications are accepted until 01 February 2026. Arboretum Research Scholar Award
Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Community Resilience Prize
The Macquarie Community Resilience Prize seeks technology-enabled solutions building climate-resilient communities while creating meaningful employment and skill-building opportunities in Brazil, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. The prize is open to organizations, startups, NGOs, social enterprises, and innovators worldwide, particularly those working directly with vulnerable or frontline communities. Selected winners receive US$50 thousand in grant funding. The application deadline is 25 February 2026. Details here
Earth Journalism Network — Forest Governance Story Grants
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers reporting grants to journalists to support the production of in-depth stories on forest governance issues. EJN aims to support the production of stories that raise awareness about and contribute to forest governance processes in Indonesia, Vietnam, Cameroon, Liberia, and Ghana. Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience. Applicants can be from any country. EJN expects to award 7 story grants with an average budget of 1,500 GBP each. The application deadline is 06 January 2026. Forest Governance Story Grants
Gadfly Project — Software for Environmental Protection and Climate Change Mitigation
The Gadfly Project makes in-kind grants for organizations seeking to implement a software initiative in the fields of environmental protection and climate change mitigation. The grant is available to organizations both international and domestic with a focus on environmental protection and sustainability. Software development efforts with a magnitude between US$5 thousand and US$100 thousand are preferred. Please note that this is an “in-kind” grant (not a cash grant). Grants are evaluated quarterly. The deadlines are 23 January, 24 April, 24 July, and 23 October 2026. Details here
New Earth Foundation — Innovative Environmental Initiatives
The New Earth Foundation (NEF) seeks Letter of Inquiries (LOIs) to fund innovative environmental initiatives that are working to help eliminate pollution and save the planet’s ecosystems, and community projects that create models of social sustainability. Past projects include gardening and building houses in earthquake-impacted regions, using solar equipment to provide clean water to poor communities, planting trees for clean air, and many others. NEF only funds 501(c)(3) organizations. Applicants from outside the US may apply through a fiscal sponsor. Letters of Inquiry can be sent at any time during the year. These letters are reviewed twice a year and applicants that fit the requirements will receive the invitation to submit a full grant application. The deadlines for review are 01 February and 01 July each year. More about this opportunity
Italian Agency for Development Cooperation — Wildlife Corridor Uganda
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) invites proposals to restore ecological connectivity and promote sustainable forest-based livelihoods in eastern Uganda. The initiative aims to re-establish a wildlife corridor between the Matheniko‑Bokora Wildlife Reserve and Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, combining reforestation, agroforestry, restoration of indigenous tree species, habitat conservation, and development of non-timber forest enterprises to support local communities. The total grant pool offered is up to €650 thousand. Eligible applicants include NGOs, private companies, public operators, local authorities or international organizations registered in Uganda or other eligible countries under EU regulation. The application deadline is 15 December 2025. Details here
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
Commission for Environmental Cooperation — Environmental Leaders Program
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) offers the Generation of Environmental Leaders Program (GELP). Youth aged 18–35 from Canada, Mexico or the United States are invited to propose practical solutions for protecting land, water, and air across North America. Selected teams get mentorship, participation in a youth-environmental network, and seed funding of C$15 thousand to help turn their ideas into real projects. The deadline for applications is 01 February 2026. Environmental Leaders Program