The Rufford Foundation makes grants for nature conservation undertaken by small and medium-sized organizations for projects in the developing world. The Foundation prefers projects that are pragmatic, and that have a significant human element. There are no restrictions by nationality or country of residence. Grant applications are made in sequential stages: first grant, second grant, booster grants, and completion grant. Grants start at £6 thousand and increase to £15 thousand for projects that complete each stage. Applications can be submitted at any time. Instructions for Applicants
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World Food Forum — Transformative Research Challenge
The World Food Forum (WFF) Transformative Research Challenge is a global competition designed to empower young researchers to develop innovative and impactful solutions to transform agrifood systems. WFF supports participants in developing research proposals that lead to actionable and tangible solutions. Winning teams receive up to US$10 thousand in research funding to implement their projects. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to agrifood systems, such as agriculture, food science, environmental science, sustainable development, or other related disciplines. Applications must be submitted by 09 May 2025. Transformative Research Challenge
United Nations — Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
The SEA Grants program supports community-based conservation initiatives and research aimed at enhancing marine and coastal ecosystem management in the East Asian Seas region. Grants range from US$5,000 to US$50,000 for projects lasting 12 to 18 months. Eligible applicants include local organizations, NGOs, and community groups operating in countries participating in the SCS SAP. The application deadline is 15 May 2025. SEA Grants
Wellcome Trust — Early-Career Awards
The Wellcome Trust supports bold and creative discovery research that has the potential to improve human life, health, and well-being. The Early-Career Awards provide funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity through innovative projects. Research can be in any discipline, including STEM, experimental medicine, or climate – as long as it has the potential to improve human life. The Trust covers the researcher’s salary and up to £400 thousand for research expenses. The applicant’s host organization has to be based in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, or a low- or middle-income country (apart from India and mainland China). The deadline for new applications is 22 May 2025. Early-Career Research Awards
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Biodiversity Information for Development: LAC
The Biodiversity Information for Development program aims to enhance capacity for effective mobilization and use of biodiversity data in support of decision- and policymaking for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. GBIF offers support for two types of projects: (1) Institutional-level biodiversity data mobilization grants (maximum funding: €30 thousand for strengthening institutional capacity and mobilize policy-relevant biodiversity data); (2) Multi-institutional biodiversity data mobilization grants (maximum funding: €60 thousand to strengthen collaborations between institutions. Applicants must be legal entities such as research institutions, universities, museums, non-governmental organizations or government agencies located in Caribbean or Latin American countries. Concept notes must be submitted by 27 May 2025. Details here
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Biodiversity Information for Development: Pacific
The Biodiversity Information for Development program aims to enhance capacity for effective mobilization and use of biodiversity data in support of decision- and policymaking for sustainable development in the Pacific. GBIF offers support for two types of projects: (1) Institutional-level biodiversity data mobilization grants (maximum funding: €30 thousand for strengthening institutional capacity and mobilize policy-relevant biodiversity data); (2) Multi-institutional biodiversity data mobilization grants (maximum funding: €60 thousand to strengthen collaborations between institutions. Applicants must be legal entities such as research institutions, universities, museums, non-governmental organizations or government agencies located in Pacific countries. Concept notes must be submitted by 27 May 2025. Details here
IUCN — Biodiversity Conservation
BESTLIFE2030 provides grant funding for small-scale field actions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the EU’s Outermost Regions and associated Overseas Countries and Territories. The program provides support at both local and regional levels for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of ecosystem services, including for climate adaptation. Grants are a maximum of €100 thousand per recipient for projects ranging between 18 to 36 months. In order to be eligible the lead applicant must be a private or public legal entity and be located in one of the priority regions (Amazonia, the French Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and North Atlantic’s Saint Pierre and Miquelon). The application deadline is 30 May 2025. Link
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation — Georg Forster Research Fellowship
The Georg Forster Research Fellowship supports postdoctoral and experienced researchers from developing and transition countries with their research in collaboration with a host at a German research institution. Nominees must be nationals of a developing or transition country, excluding the People’s Republic of China and India. The monthly fellowship amount is €2,670. Fellowships may last from 6 to 24 months. Applications are reviewed on a regular basis in February, June, and October. More here
Water Research Foundation — Tailored Collaboration Program
The Water Research Foundation Tailored Collaboration Program is a matching research initiative designed to support utility-specific or regional challenges that research can help to solve. WRF will provide up to US$150 thousand in matching funds for each selected project. The program encourages collaboration between utilities and researchers to address pressing water sector issues. Interested parties must submit a pre-proposal by 02 June 2025. Click here
World Academy of Sciences — Postgraduate Fellowship Program
TWAS offers a postdoctoral fellowship program for young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in physical sciences in departments and laboratories of the National Centre for Physics (NCP) in Islamabad. NCP will provide a monthly stipend which should be used to cover living costs such as food, accommodation and health insurance. Applicants for these fellowships must be permanent residents in a developing country and hold a PhD degree in a field of natural sciences. The application deadline is 31 July 2025. Know more