The University of Antwerp’s Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB) offers three specializations for one-year master’s programs in development studies. Topics include poverty, climate change, conflict, good governance, sustainable development, and others. The Institute of Development Policy awards scholarships to students from many countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America for studies at Belgian universities that include Antwerp’s IOB. Candidates applying for an ICP Connect scholarship have to submit their application by 01 March 2026. Link
South Asia
Commonwealth Secretariat — Commonwealth Youth Awards 2025
The Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work recognize individuals ages 15 to 29 who lead innovative development projects in themes that include agriculture, small enterprise, skills training, climate change, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty reduction. The program selects regional winners from each of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Winners are awarded grants of up to a total of £5 thousand in total to advance their projects. The application deadline is 17 October 2025. Commonwealth Youth Awards
AirAsia Foundation — Improving Communities
The AirAsia Foundation makes grants to social enterprises with projects to empower communities, enable them to build sustainable livelihoods, tackle social problems, or protect the environment. Applicants must be registered and be based in ASEAN. NGOs looking to diversify funding sources through social enterprise are welcome to submit an application. AirAsia’s priority is to support smaller social enterprises. Applications can be submitted anytime, but the review process may take up to 6 months. Link
World Food Programme — Climate Adaptation
The WFP Innovation Accelerator aims to identify, support, and scale high-impact innovations that enhance climate adaptation in Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines. The World Food Programme invites applications from innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers with groundbreaking solutions that drive resilience, enhance climate adaptability, and promote sustainable development in affected communities. The program offers funding of up to US$120 thousand for seed-stage or US$200 thousand for growth-stage solutions. The Accelerator will support innovations from around the world that hold the potential to address challenges in three target countries. The application deadline is 21 September 2025. Climate Adaptation Innovation Accelerator Program
International Fund for Agricultural Development — Livestock and Communities
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supports projects in Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and Laos to enhance community-level capacity and regional collaboration on One Health issues addressing disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and environmental health. Projects must integrate participation from women, youth, and marginalized groups. Interested organizations must submit a concept note by 06 October 2025. More
UK Department for International Development — Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2026
The UK Department for International Development (DFID) funds the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, to undertake full-time study at a UK university. Scholarships are awarded annually across all subjects, with priority for applications that demonstrate strong relevance to development. The program does not accept direct applications for these scholarships, instead all applications must be made through nominating bodies (named in the announcement). Candidates must apply to one of the nominating bodies by 14 October 2025. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2026
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office makes Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for full-time doctoral studies to citizens from least developed countries and fragile states who could not afford to study in the UK without this scholarship. Scholarships are awarded annually across all subjects, with priority for applications that demonstrate strong relevance to development. The program does not accept direct applications for these scholarships. Instead, all applications must be made through nominating bodies (named in the announcement). Candidates must apply to one of the nominating bodies by 14 October 2025. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture — Seed Fund for Research and Training
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture provides up to US$15 thousand in start-up grants to Southeast Asian researchers to support innovative, short-term research or training projects aimed at improving food security, farmers’ incomes. Proposals must include a clear plan for scaling and long-term funding, and deliverables. The application deadline is 31 October 2025. Seed Fund for Research and Training
Eco-Business and Temasek Foundation — Liveability Challenge
In 2026, the Liveability Challenge (TLC) seeks disruptive innovations that can decarbonize energy generation and industries; or establish a circular urban agriculture/aquaculture system. Finalists will get an opportunity to pitch their solutions to a team of investors and have the chance to win up to S$2 million in grant funding for project development. The competition is open to Singapore-based and international participants who have a pilot project in Southeast Asia. The application deadline is 09 February 2026. The Liveability Challenge
Earth Journalism Network — Communicators’ Workshop
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites communicators to join a media workshop on renewable energy in Mumbai (October 2025). The call is open to communicators based in India from print, online, radio and television outlets. Participants will have the opportunity to go on a field trip and interact with members of a coastal community to understand the situation firsthand. EJN will cover the cost of travel, accommodation and meals for selected participants. The deadline to apply is 14 September 2025. Communicators’ Workshop