The Right Livelihood Awards are annually made to individuals and organizations offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today. The Award is sometimes referred to as the “Alternative Nobel Prize.” Past laureates include several whose work in issues of environment and natural resources advances social justice and grassroots development in the developing world. Normally, the Foundation makes three cash awards and one honorary award each year. Nominations are invited from anyone worldwide (excluding self-nominations, close relatives, and Foundation staff and jury). The deadline for nominations is 16 January 2026. Nominate
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King Baudouin Foundation — Access to Water
The Elisabeth and Amélie Fund supports Belgian organizations working with local partners in Africa, Latin America, and Asia to improve sustainable access to water. The 2026 call focuses on water management in family farming, guided by principles of agroecology and resilience to global change. The foundation provides funding of up to €50 thousand. Priority is given to initiatives offering structural, preventive solutions and equitable participation within families and communities. The application deadline is 19 March 2026. Details here
Government of Switzerland — Renewable Energy Promotion in Developing Countries
The independent platform Renewable Energy, Energy and Resource Efficiency Promotion in Developing and Transition Countries (REPIC) supports projects in the field of renewable energies and/or energy efficiency and/or resource efficiency (waste, wastewater, and industrial processes). The project applicant has to be a Swiss organization (companies, NGOs, institutes, etc.) but the project target country must be a developing country. The maximum amount per project is CHF 150 thousand. Applications can be submitted at any time. Application procedure
Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre — Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships
The ABCD-Centre invites doctoral students from developing countries to apply for two fully funded nine-month research scholarships at host institutions in Germany focusing on water security, ecosystem resilience, nature-based climate adaptation, urban water extremes, or sustainable building materials. The funding covers a monthly stipend of €1,200, insurance allowance, a travel stipend, and up to €1,000 for research materials. Eligibility requires enrolment in a full-time PhD program at a university in a developing country. Applications must be submitted by 15 November 2025. Future Environmental Leaders Scholarships
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
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
Ghent University — Special Research Fund
Ghent University grants PhD “sandwich” scholarships to promising PhD students from Global South countries who wish to carry out half of their PhD research at Ghent University. The candidate must have full-time funding for the other 24 months of research to be carried out in the South. Research proposals must be jointly submitted by a candidate, a supervisor at Ghent University, and a supervisor at the partner university. The deadline for scholarship applications is 17 February 2026. Special Research Fund
TED-Ed — Earth School
Earth School consists of 30 days of nature-focused content for learners of all ages. Each Quest includes videos and a quiz, combined with a series of engaging learning resources curated by environmental experts. Teachers and parents are invited to use these lessons and activities to keep their students and kids engaged and connected to the outside world. Lessons are free and accessible anytime. Link to Earth School
African Leadership Academy — Anzisha Prize for Young Innovators
The Anzisha Prize seeks young innovators ages 15-22 in Africa who develop and implement innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. Past awards include innovations in energy, agriculture, and ecological consumer products. The grand prize winners will share prizes worth US$140 thousand. Applicants must be nationals of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/beneficiaries. The next application closes on 07 November 2026. Anzisha Prize
UNOPS — Pollution in the Black Sea
The Eco-Innovation Challenge seeks innovative solutions to tackle pollution sources such as agricultural runoff, municipal wastewater, industrial chemicals, and marine litter affecting the Black Sea. Innovators from eligible countries may apply through two windows: a Focus Country Window (Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye) for deployment-ready interventions (grants of US$50 thousand to US$300 thousand) and a Greater Black Sea Window for earlier-stage ideas (technical assistance up to US$20 thousand). The deadline for expressions of interest is 14 November 2025. Eco-Innovation Challenge