The Conservation Leadership Program (CLP) makes grants to advance the leadership capacity of early-career conservationists in the developing world. Grants combine research with conservation. CLP provides support to small teams of at least three individuals. Future Conservationist Awards are up to US$15 thousand. Follow-up awards and Leadership Awards are up to US$25 thousand and US$50 thousand, respectively. CLP explains each category of award; eligibility criteria; and details on how to apply. CLP offers support to early-career conservationists living and working in low- and middle-income economies in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern and South-eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The application deadline is 09 January 2026. Link to the Conservation Leadership Program
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Ocean Foundation — Scholarship for Sea Turtle Preservation
The Ocean Foundation and the Boyd Lyon Sea Turtle Fund seek applicants for the Boyd N. Lyon Scholarship. Students with field research projects on sea turtle behavior and habitat use in the marine environment, as well as projects that promote sea turtle conservation in coastal ecosystems, can apply. One award of US$2,500 will be made to a Masters or PhD student. The applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university during 2026/2027. The application deadline is 15 January 2026. Boyd N. Lyon Scholarship
Swiss Climate Research — Climate Summer School
Swiss Climate Research invites early-stage scientists to join climate researchers in southern Switzerland for keynote lectures, workshops, and poster sessions. The 24th International Swiss Climate Summer School focuses on the theme “Climate Variability across Space and Time”. This summer school addresses early-stage researchers from climate and earth system sciences to biodiversity, energy, social, political, and economic sciences. The application deadline is 15 January 2026. Climate Summer School
Social Science Research Council — APN Individual Research Fellowships
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) offers fellowships to African researchers, policy analysts, and practitioners working on conflict and peace-building issues. The posted list of issues includes natural resource conflicts and water conflicts. The fellowships are intended to support six months of field-based research with grants of up to US$15 thousand. Applicants must be citizens of and reside in an African country. The application deadline is 16 January 2026. APN Individual Research Fellowships
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 23 November (early deadline); 14 December (regular deadline); or 04 January 2026 (limited extension). Link to D-Prize
Free Rivers Fund — Free-Flowing Rivers
The Free Rivers Fund announces grants to support initiatives and actions in defense of free-flowing rivers. The Fund provides grants for activist and conservation groups that commit to the fight to protect rivers from dams and development. The total amount of funding is not fixed but depends on the total incoming donations. Generally, supported grantees can expect between €1000 and €2000. The application deadline is 10 January 2026. Details here
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis — Young Scientists Summer Program 2026
IIASA invites doctoral students worldwide to participate in its Young Scientists Summer Program held at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis’s headquarters in Laxenburg, Austria. The selected participants work with IIASA’s senior scientists in research on energy, ecosystem services, water, risk policy and vulnerability, and other topics. Scholarships are available from IIASA’s national member organizations. A limited number of scholarships are available from other sources. The deadline for registrations to the 2026 program is 12 January 2026. Young Scientists Summer Program
University of Chicago — Science Journalism Program
The Logan Science Journalism Program offers science journalists, writers, editors, and broadcast journalists a chance to immerse themselves in basic biomedical or environmental research. Journalists selected for the program receive research training at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The fellowship covers room, board, course fees, and travel. Preference will be given to applicants who do not have significant prior scientific research experience. Foreign nationals are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is 15 January 2026. Logan Science Journalism Program
PADI Foundation — Grants for Marine Conservation 2026
The PADI Foundation offers worldwide grants in underwater science, environmental projects, and marine education. The Foundation supports research and education related to aquatic environments. In the past, applications have included many projects in tropical regions. Most grants range from US$5 thousand to US$10 thousand. There are no nationality restrictions. The deadline is 15 January 2026. Find the guidelines
University of Delaware — Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs
The Diamond Challenge seeks social innovations that solve a social problem and make a positive impact on people or the environment. Teams must consist of 2-4 high school students typically between 14-18 years of age and have one adult advisor (21 years of age or older). The winners will receive a prize package worth over US$12 thousand. Finalists receive access to our Diamond Challenge Summit, automatic entry into our summer accelerator and accelerator scholarships. Concepts have to be submitted before 15 January 2026. Link to the challenge