WAI Welfare Ecology Grants fund research on the causal relationships between wild animal welfare and other variables, with emphasis on ecological network effects and interactions among multiple species. The aim is to find levers that could eventually inform interventions or policies. Grants are up to US$200,000 in total for up to three years. Applications close on 31 October 2026. Welfare Ecology Grants
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Wild Animal Initiative — Validation Grants for Wild Animal Welfare Indicator Research
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
Bennington College — Young Scientists Awards
Bennington College offers cash prizes for work on the natural world by students in grades 9 to 12 worldwide: US$2,000 for first place, US$1,000 for second, US$500 for third, and US$250 for distinguished entries. Each student may submit one work, such as a scientific illustration, a field guide to local plants, animals or geology, a research poster or a process diagram, with an optional written explanation of up to 500 words. Winners and finalists who later enroll at Bennington also receive tuition scholarships. Submissions are open until 01 November 2026. Young Scientists Awards
Alice McCosh Trust — Small Grants for Natural History and Environmental Work
The Alice McCosh Trust awards one-off grants of around £1,000 to advance education in natural history and the environment. Grants can cover fieldwork for a research project or the cost of producing materials that increase understanding of the environment or encourage people to protect it. Individuals of any age and nationality can apply. The application deadline is 30 November each year. Link
World Wildlife Fund — Master’s Fellowship
The World Wildlife Fund offers a master’s fellowship to Ugandan nationals researching human-wildlife conflict and coexistence. The research must focus on solutions to elephants raiding crops on farmland near the northern border of Murchison Falls National Park. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, ecology, conservation, zoology or geography. Fellows can request up to US$15,000 a year for up to two years, covering tuition and fees, living expenses, books and materials, and research costs. Applications close on 15 December 2026. WWF Master’s Fellowship
Holohil Systems — Transmitters for Wildlife Conservation
Holohil Systems supplies radio-tracking equipment and related services for wildlife research and management. Holohil manages a grant program to offer transmitters at a reduced or no cost for projects focusing on wildlife species of especially high research and/or conservation value. Holohil will contribute up to C$2,500 toward the purchase of transmitters. Holohil will pay all shipping charges. Eligibility to apply for the grants extends to conservation professionals and researchers anywhere in the world. Support is awarded four times a year. The application deadlines are 15 January, 15 April, 15 July, and 15 October each year. About the Program
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation — Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative for Migratory Shorebird Conservation
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation invites proposals to conserve three migratory shorebirds along the Atlantic flyway: the American oystercatcher, whimbrel and red knot. Priority sites include the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts and wintering sites in the Caribbean and South America. Topics include monitoring and tracking, habitat management, designating new Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network sites, and filling gaps on non-breeding red knots and whimbrels in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Most awards will be US$75,000 to US$200,000, over one to three years, and the foundation expects to make four to six. US nonprofits, government agencies, tribal organisations, schools and international organisations can apply. Full proposals are due on 05 November 2026. Migratory Shorebird Conservation
Japan Fund for Global Environment — Environmental Conservation Grants 2027
The Japan Fund for Global Environment makes grants to non-profit organizations in Japan and developing countries for field projects in environmental conservation. Grants are for grass-roots projects and range from 500 thousand to 3 million JPY. Each non-Japanese applicant needs to have an agent in Japan to communicate and apply in the Japanese language on behalf of the applicant. The application deadline is 16 November 2026. Environmental Conservation Grants
Awesome Foundation — Micro-Grants to Projects Worldwide
The Awesome Foundation invites individuals and small teams worldwide to apply for micro-grants. It backs innovative projects on wildlife conservation, habitat protection, climate change, ecotourism or environmental communication, especially ones that haven’t been done before or are done in a unique way. The chapter looks for projects where a grant of US$1,000 or less is the difference between happening and not happening. The next deadline is 27 November 2026. Micro-Grants for Environmental Projects
Journalism Fund — Investigation Grants for Environmental Journalism
The Investigation Grants for Environmental Journalism supports cross-border teams of professional journalists or news outlets to conduct investigations into environmental affairs related to Europe. The grant covers working time and expenses such as logistics, travel, insurance, access to legal support, translations, and access to technology and data sets. The total available amount to be distributed among all supported investigations will be around €400 thousand. The grant is open to professional freelance journalists or news outlets (cross-border teams of at least two journalists). The next application deadline is 07 January 2027. Click here