The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program provides funding, skills training, mentorship, and opportunities for research collaboration. CIFAR invites early-career researchers pursuing the most exciting and important research questions across the natural, biomedical and social sciences and the humanities to join an interdisciplinary research program. As part of the program, scholars receive C$100 thousand in unrestricted research support over two years. To be eligible for this program, applicants must hold a PhD (or equivalent) and be within the first five years of starting a full-time research position at an institution of higher education or research. The deadline for applications is 04 November 2026. CIFAR Global Scholars
partnerships/collaboration
Environmental Research & Education Foundation — Sustainable Solid Waste Management Research Program
The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) seeks applications for the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Research Program in North America. Pre-proposals must relate to sustainable solid waste management practices in the topic areas of waste conversion to energy, biological conversion technologies, and recycling, among others. Previously awarded grants have ranged from $15 thousand to over $500 thousand with an average grant size of about $160 thousand for 2 years. There are no restrictions in regard to geographic location. EREF has two deadlines per year with pre-proposals being accepted 15 days prior to the deadline date. The next application deadlines are 01 December 2026 and 01 March 2027. Find out how to apply for a grant
Welthungerhilfe — Global Food System Challenge
Welthungerhilfe and the Seeding The Future Foundation invite nonprofits, academic institutions, and early-stage for-profit or social enterprises worldwide to submit food-system innovations to the 6th Annual Global Food System Challenge, particularly addressing challenges in the Global South. Three award tiers are available: Seed Grants (US$25,000, up to eight awarded, for early prototypes), Growth Grants (US$100,000, up to three awarded), and Grand Prizes (US$250,000, up to two awarded). Eligible applicants are organizations, not individuals, from any country. Applications open 1 January 2027; the deadline is 15 February 2027. Global Food System Challenge
World Food Programme — Climate Adaptation
The WFP Innovation Accelerator, in partnership with the Adaptation Fund, aims to identify, support, and scale high-impact innovations that enhance climate adaptation across Latin America and the Caribbean. The World Food Programme invites applications from innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers with solutions that strengthen resilience, improve food security, and help vulnerable communities adapt to climate-related shocks such as droughts, floods, storms, and rising temperatures. Selected applicants will be invited to a January 2027 innovation bootcamp, with bootcamp teams then eligible to apply for a funded sprint program. The application deadline is 06 September 2026. Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Program
Next Einstein Forum — Africa Energy Innovation Challenge
The Africa Energy Innovation Challenge (AEIC) invites young African energy entrepreneurs to submit early-stage prototypes that address energy needs across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transport, or AI-powered energy management. Applicants (aged between 18 and 35) form teams to co-develop and pitch their innovations, competing for support that may include funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Proposals have to be submitted by 10 September 2026. Link to AEIC
Rainforest Trust — Creating New Protected Areas
The Rainforest Trust partners with local conservation organizations to create new protected areas and expand existing ones for Critically Endangered and Endangered species. The Initiative invites applications for conservation partnerships from nonprofit entities and NGOs for projects in tropical Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Applying organizations may submit proposals for either a land purchase or a protected area designation. Applications to create new protected areas are reviewed three times per year. The next application deadline is 01 October 2026. Applications for less than US$250 thousand may be submitted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Link
IUCN — Forest Investment Projects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific
The International Union for Conservation of Nature runs the SEAP Forests Investment & Technical Partners (SEAP FIT) Coalition under the GEF-8 Southeast Asia and the Pacific Forests Integrated Programme, and invites submissions to the Coalition’s first Call for Projects. The Coalition is a regional partnership platform working to mobilise forest financing, build investment-ready project pipelines, shape enabling forest policy, and strengthen regional capacity for primary forest protection and restoration, sustainable agriculture, and forest-positive commodity value chains. Eligible activities include avoiding deforestation and degradation (REDD+), afforestation and reforestation, improved forest management, agroforestry carbon projects, protected areas, blue carbon forestry, and community or jurisdictional programmes. Submissions are invited from Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Selected projects gain access to Technical Working Group meetings, connections with potential investors, and consideration for grant funding from Coalition members or country-level projects under the wider GEF-8 program. The deadline is 21 August 2026. Details here
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Protecting Rural Livelihoods in Latin America and the Caribbean
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) invites proposals for a regional grant addressing the resilience of rural households and local economies in Latin America and the Caribbean against potential disruptions to remittance flows. IFAD will select one organisation to implement the grant, “Safeguarding Rural Livelihoods in LAC: Roadblocks, Opportunities, and Actionable Measures for a Potential Remittances Crisis,” which carries financing of US$500 thousand. The selected organisation will conduct analytical work, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and pursue policy dialogue and collaboration with the financial sector to help governments, financial institutions, and development partners anticipate and respond to remittance-related risks. The deadline is 04 September 2026. Details here
Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems — Freshwater Conservation Projects in the Mediterranean Basin
The Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE) launches a call for projects to fund work on the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, the sustainable use and management of water resources, and the development of sustainable financing mechanisms for freshwater conservation. Grants range from €100 thousand to €500 thousand (with 25% co-financing required for requests over €300 thousand). The call is open to NGOs, scientific institutions, local authorities, and small private enterprises in the region. The deadline for submission is 15 October 2026. Link to DIMFE
EPIC Deploy — Sustainable Cooling Pilot Projects in Africa and Brazil
EPIC Deploy (Enabling Pledge Implementation for Cooling) invites pilot projects that deliver bankable, climate-resilient sustainable cooling solutions. The initiative targets two sectors: the tertiary sector, including hospitals, universities, and public buildings, and industrial and cold-chain applications such as ports and food-chain logistics. EPIC Deploy is open to international consortia composed of at least one public, private, or research entity, with at least one partner based in one of the eligible countries: Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia, or Brazil. The minimum grant request is US$200 thousand, applicants must secure co-funding of at least twenty per cent, and the total project budget may not exceed US$1.2 million. The deadline is 31 October 2026. Link