The Young Professional Development Program (YPDP) is a two-year program designed to prepare young professionals from OPEC Fund member countries for a career in global development. The themes include poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development, environment, and other related science and technology fields. YPDP offers training, coaching and mentoring, the opportunity to experience different departments and access to professional networks. To be selected for the program, applicants must be 30 years of age (or younger) and hold a Master’s degree. The deadline for applications is 11 April 2026. More about the YPDP
MENA
Australian Government — Australia Awards Africa
The Australian Government invites applications for the Australia Awards scholarships to provide mid-to-senior-level professionals from eligible African countries the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in Australia. The program targets individuals from 25 countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa, who work in priority sectors such as agriculture, climate change, and international security. Applicants must be at least 25 years old and possess five years of relevant post-graduate work experience. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, return air travel, a one-off establishment allowance, and a contribution to living expenses for the duration of the study. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2026. Australia Awards Africa
Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development — Fellowships Program
The Arab Fund Fellowships Program provides Arab Ph.D. holders with opportunities to conduct research and/or teach internationally. The fellowship provides maintenance allowances (about US$50 thousand over a period of 12 months), round-trip tickets for the beneficiaries and the eligible members of their families. Arab nationals who are currently working at universities in Arab member countries are eligible to apply. Applications can be submitted anytime but must be submitted at least one year before the expected starting date of the Fellowship. Find the application procedure
African German Young Leaders in Business — Climate-Smart Economies
The AGYLE program connects emerging business leaders from Africa and Europe to build a long-term network focused on sustainable economic cooperation. The 2026 theme, “GreenTech for Impact,” targets young entrepreneurs and professionals developing solutions in renewable energy, climate-tech, agri-tech, and sustainable mobility. Eligibility is open to individuals up to 40 years of age with at least three years of leadership experience or who have founded their own company. Applicants must be from or have worked for at least five years in Austria, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, or Tunisia. Selected participants attend a fully funded “Live Week” in Berlin. The deadline for applications is 01 April 2026. Link to AGYLE
Bayer Foundation — Women Empowerment Award
The Bayer Foundation Women Empowerment Award (WEA) recognizes women pioneering in health, nutrition, and related climate-smart solutions. Fifteen female entrepreneurs will get the chance to join the 6-month Accelerator Program and receive €25 thousand in support of their business. To qualify, applicants must center their solutions around health or food security related challenges. The award seeks to support women entrepreneurs driving impactful solutions in the Asia Pacific region, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. The application deadline is 13 April 2026. Women Empowerment Award
Morgan Stanley — Sustainable Ventures
Morgan Stanley invites applications for its Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures accelerator program to support early-stage startups and nonprofit organizations. The program consists of two tracks: the Lab, which provides tech-enabled startups with a US$250 thousand investment in exchange for a 5% equity stake, and the Collaborative, which provides emerging nonprofits with a US$250 thousand grant. Eligible startups must be at the seed to Series A stage with demonstrated revenue, while nonprofits must have a clear business plan for high-impact, scalable solutions. The program is open to organizations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026. More information
Roots — Micro-Grants
The Roots Micro-Grants Program supports youth-led projects to empower voices from the Global South to advocate for climate justice. The program provides grants of up to US$10 thousand to initiatives that prioritize climate justice and social equity. The program will provide grants for between 10-15 grassroots youth-led initiatives, with a focus on groups in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The group/organization does not need to be legally registered in order to be eligible to apply. The application deadline is 28 February 2026. Details here
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Biodiversity Conservation in the Mediterranean Basin
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) invites Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for small grants (US$20 thousand – US$50 thousand) for projects that support the sustainable management of water catchments through integrated approaches for the conservation of threatened freshwater biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin. Eligibility extends to non-governmental organizations, community groups, universities and private enterprises. The ecosystem profile technical summary is available in English, French, and Arabic. LOIs must be submitted by 15 March 2026. Click here
World Academy of Sciences — MENA Research Cooperation with Germany
The TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Program invites postdoctoral researchers in the MENA region to make cooperation visits to institutes in Germany. The visits are limited to three months, with the aim of promoting longer-term collaboration. The German Research Foundation will cover travel expenses and provide subsistence costs for the stay in Germany. Preference is given to young PhD-level scientists, particularly women. The next application deadline is 15 April 2026. Link to the Cooperation Visits Program
Fondation Franklinia — Conservation of Globally Threatened Trees
The Foundation Franklinia accepts project proposals focused on in-situ conservation of threatened trees in the Mediterranean basin. Eligibility extends to any organization with well-established expertise and efficiency in plant conservation. Projects must aim at improving the conservation status of globally threatened tree species listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Funding from the Foundation favors conservation projects with reasonable budgets in relation to proposed activities. A minimum of 20-50% of co-funding will be required. The deadline for submission of proposals (English) is 26 March 2026. Tree Conservation