The Association of Commonwealth Universities offers seven grants of up to £2,000 each, helping early-career researchers attend conferences in other Commonwealth countries. The grants cover registration fees, flights, accommodation, visas, and travel and health insurance. Applicants must be early-career academics at an ACU member university, within seven years of starting their academic career. They must be chairing a session or presenting a paper or poster at an in-person conference in a Commonwealth country other than the one where they work. The conference must take place between January 2027 and January 2028. The deadline is 13 October 2026. Conference Grants
wildlife
Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund — Grants for Endangered Species Conservation
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund invites applications for grants supporting the conservation of individual threatened plant, animal and fungi species anywhere in the world. Grants are up to US$25 thousand, and the Fund gives priority to Endangered, Critically Endangered and Data Deficient species. It mainly supports fieldwork in the species’ natural habitat, such as surveys, direct conservation action and training. Applications must be in English, with budgets in US dollars, and submitted through the Fund’s online system. The criteria page states no limits on applicant type or country. The deadline is 15 October 2026. Grants for Endangered Species Conservation
Conservation Leadership Programme — Grants for Early-Career Conservationists
The Conservation Leadership Programme offers early-career conservationists project grants of up to US$15 thousand, plus ongoing support from its alumni network, including funding, training and mentorship. Projects must protect globally important at-risk habitats and species through ecological research and conservation action. Themes include climate adaptation, biodiversity, habitat restoration, community-led conservation, human-wildlife conflict, policy, and education or citizen science. Teams must have at least three members, all with no more than five years of professional conservation experience. All members must be nationals of the country where the project takes place. Concept notes are due by 30 October 2026. Link to the Conservation Leadership Program
Wild Animal Initiative — Research Grants
Wild Animal Initiative invites academic researchers to apply for Validation Grants, Welfare Ecology Grants, or Seed Grants supporting research that advances wild animal welfare science, alongside WAI Fellowships for early-career researchers. Principal investigators must be affiliated with a university or research institution, and any fieldwork must include collaborators who are residents of the country where it takes place; NGO-managed projects require registration in that country. WAI cannot sponsor visas, so work carried out in the United States by a non-US resident generally cannot be funded, and it cannot fund research in countries under US sanctions, such as Iran, North Korea, or Russia. The deadline is 31 October 2026. Wild Animal Research Grants
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund — Small Grants Program in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund invites letters of inquiry from non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, Indigenous peoples’ organisations, women’s groups, youth groups and other civil society organisations based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Projects must support community engagement in managing threatened ecosystems and species in eligible areas of the country. Grants are up to US$50 thousand. The deadline is 01 November 2026. Small Grants Program
Sequoia Park Zoo — Conservation Grant Program
The Sequoia Park Zoo supports field research, habitat restoration, rescue and rehabilitation efforts, public awareness campaigns, and annual lecture series. The Zoo also offers an annual Conservation Grant Program, awarding up to US$3,000 per project, for work that delivers clear, measurable impact on wildlife or habitat conservation. Applicants must be affiliated with a conservation-related organization or an education institution. Pre-proposals can be submitted until 02 November 2026. Conservation Grant Program
Unearthodox — Exploration Co-Lab 2027
Unearthodox invites early-stage initiatives working at the intersection of environmental and societal change to apply to its Exploration Co-Lab, a 10-month incubator for systemic, root-cause work addressing humanity’s relationship with nature. Selected participants receive CHF 10,000 in grant funding, plus access to an estimated CHF 60,000 in non-financial support, including coaching, systems mapping, and community connection. Open to applicants worldwide, with particular welcome for underrepresented voices. The deadline is 16 November 2026. Exploration Co-Lab
Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund — Grant Program 2027
The Keidanren Fund supports field projects in environment, biodiversity, and natural resources in developing countries worldwide, with emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. The program is open to groups and organizations with appropriate legal status and at least three years of experience in nature conservation. Grants are for one year. The application deadline is 01 December 2026. Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
Right Livelihood Award — Annual Nominations 2027
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 24 January 2027. Nominate
Effective Altruism Funds — Animal Welfare Fund
EA Funds invites applications for its Animal Welfare Fund, supporting projects that improve the well-being of nonhuman animals, with particular interest in neglected geographic regions or species, promising research into animal advocacy or welfare, and other high-impact opportunities. Grants range from $1,000 to $500,000, with no registered charity status required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Animal Welfare Fund